Botox

Botox®

Botox® is an injectable neurotoxin that can help reverse signs of aging, including loss of skin elasticity, as well as provide a softer, more relaxed appearance. The loss of skin elasticity can lead to wrinkles appearing on the face.

Most people know about the Botox® brand, and there’s no secret why. Botox® has several uses but is most known for its ability to treat deeper lines and wrinkles. When injected into the muscles, Botox® causes temporary weakening or paralysis in the facial muscles. The temporary paralysis caused by Botox® prohibits signals from being sent from nerves to facial muscles directly, causing the muscles to relax. In addition to Botox®, you may be a good candidate for Dysport® or similar neurotoxin. 

Botox® injections are usually quick and relatively painless. At NorCal Plastic Surgery, we clean the area and inject the Botox® directly into your muscles. You may feel a slight burning or stinging sensation during the injection, but this goes away quickly.

Once the nerves in the face are silenced temporarily by Botox®, the muscles relax and cannot move. This reduces the tension and creasing of the overlying skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and preventing the development of more wrinkles. You will see years of dynamic wrinkles gradually start to fade away. For deeper lines, it may require multiple treatments. 

Botox® can take three to seven days to start to notice the effects. Larger muscles often take longer to relax from Botox®  than smaller muscles. Most people enjoy the results of Botox® for three to four months. Sometimes Botox® lasts for slightly longer, at six months. How long Botox® lasts can depend on your body’s chemistry and how it absorbs Botox® over time.

There is minimal downtime involved with Botox®. We recommend that after your Botox® injections, you should not lie down for 4 hours and you should  avoid strenuous exercise for the rest of the day. You can resume all of your regular activities 24 hours afterward. After receiving Botox® injections, the treatment will take effect in 3 to 7 days. 

You should also avoid rubbing your face 24 hours afterward, as that may cause the Botox® to move and settle in a different area of your face than intended.

Almost anyone can be a good candidate for Botox®, especially if you have the following: 

  • Forehead/Frown Lines: Our brows make our most dynamic facial expressions. Raising your eyebrows is common in many facial expressions and can lead to forehead lines. The glabellar lines or the specific ‘11’ wrinkle can also occur between the eyebrows from excessive worry. Botox® can target these muscles and smooth the look of these wrinkles. 
  • Crow’s Feet: Crow’s feet result from dynamic muscle activity, volume loss, and the decreased elasticity of our skin from aging. Every time we smile or close our eyes, it can contribute to the formation of crow’s feet. We still need to close our eyes often, but we can selectively weaken the muscle and eliminate the appearance of crow’s feet. 

There are additional areas that good candidates can have treated, such as lines around the mouth, platysmal bands (necklines), and the masseter muscles, which help you chew but can cause tension and jaw pain. However, the forehead and lines around our eyes tend to be the best targets for facial rejuvenation with Botox® because they noticeably respond to treatment and do not impair function. 

We do not recommend receiving Botox® if you are allergic to its ingredients or similar products with neurotoxins such as Dysport®. We also advise against getting Botox® while pregnant or breastfeeding. Some patients may find they respond better to another neurotoxin, such as Dysport®.

The average cost of Botox® is usually priced around $10-$15 a unit. At NorCal Plastic Surgery, we prefer to treat by the “area” rather than by charging per unit of Botox®. For example, crow’s feet would be considered one area we treat. We believe that everyone who uses Botox® wants a more rejuvenated appearance, leaving them feeling confident. If your body requires more medication than another patient, being charged by the area is desirable.

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Want to learn more about how Botox® can help you gain more confidence in your appearance? Schedule your consultation with a NorCal Plastic Surgery provider by calling (925) 856-4800 or filling out the consultation request form below. We look forward to helping you achieve your aesthetic goals.

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