Botox San Francisco Bay Area

SF Bay Area 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.

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.

While Botox® is the most widely known neuromodulator, you have several other options. Daxxify® and Dysport® work in the same general way as Botox®, but they use different formulas that may make them better than Botox® at some things. For example, Dysport® tends to spread out more, providing a more diffuse, softer result, while Daxxify® often lasts longer than other formulas. Your expert injector will decide which to use and in which areas.

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®.

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Botox Results Marin County
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Take the Next Step

Want to learn more about how Botox® can help you gain more confidence in your appearance? Schedule your consultation with NorCal Plastic Surgery by calling our East Bay location at (925) 966-3920 or our North Bay location at (415) 727-9666, or by filling out the consultation request form below. Helping you achieve your cosmetic goals is an honor and a privilege at NorCal Plastic Surgery, proudly serving the East Bay, Marin County, and the greater San Francisco Bay Area.

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