The Botox Basics

Over time, most people start to see fine lines and wrinkles emerge on their faces. While these are simply one characteristic of a life lived, some people choose to try and restore the smoother skin that was once there. Today, we have new, revolutionary FDA-approved treatments to target unwanted fine lines and wrinkles at their source. Botox is one such invention that holds great promise for minimizing the appearance of lines on the face.Before you book your first spa appointment, here’s everything you need to know about Botox. 

What Is Botox?

You know that you want a treatment to minimize the fine lines that have begun appearing on your face, possibly on your forehead, between your eyebrows, or in the corners of your eyes. Many of your friends may be recommending Botox injections, but you have one question: What is Botox? Botox is the first FDA-approved treatment to help diminish the appearance of moderate to severe lines on the face in key areas, including: 

• Forehead lines
• Crow’s feet
• Frown lines 

Botox is a neurotoxin that impacts the movement of the muscles in these areas. The active ingredient in Botox, onabotulinumtoxin A, blocks signals from the nerves and relaxes the muscles in the treatment areas. As the muscles move less and are generally more relaxed, the skin over the top of the muscles becomes smoother. When your skin smooths out and the muscles are no longer pulling it into the expressions it has become accustomed to over time, you will notice a visible improvement in your wrinkles and fine lines. Botox injections are a non-invasive way to restore a more youthful appearance, and they have rather long-lasting effects.

How Long Do Botox Treatments Last? 

You will start to see the results of your injections relatively quickly, with some people reporting a noticeable difference in as few as 24 to 48 hours. However, this is not sufficient time to see the full effects of your treatment. The full effects of Botox will become noticeable approximately 30 days after your initial treatment. One thing to keep in mind about Botox is that the results are only temporary. They can last as long as three to four months, which minimizes the number of appointments you need to maintain your new look. Within this window, it’s generally okay to book a touch-up appointment with our providers. The good news is that your results will last longer when you keep up with your Botox treatments. Over time, many of our patients report that the wrinkles they initially came in for are less pronounced even when the injections begin to wear off months down the road.

How Much Botox Do You Need?

The number of units that are required to achieve your desired results is something that we will customize to your unique treatment plan. While there are many similarities in the patients we see who receive Botox injections, we must address your concerns in a way that will work for your body. As a result, our injectionists may start you off with a smaller dosage to ensure that Botox is a good fit for you. On subsequent treatments, you may receive more units if you had a positive result in the treatment area.

Who Is the Ideal Candidate for Botox?

Many of our patients are interested in Botox but aren’t certain if the treatment is right for them. We believe that most people can benefit from Botox injections if they are seeing more fine lines on the face in the upper areas that this neurotoxin targets. Both men and women frequently get these injections with great success. A common misconception is that you must be older to receive this type of wrinkle treatment. However, this idea couldn’t be further from the truth! Regardless of your age, if you’re noticing fine lines on your face, you can benefit from this treatment. Some people are even getting Botox injections as early as their 30s. There is no “magic age” at which your fine lines will start to appear. Because you cannot accurately predict when your wrinkles will show up, Botox is available to help in any situation and at any age. If you’re experiencing more fine lines on your face than before, it’s time to talk with our doctors and injectionists about whether this treatment is the right fit for you.

Should You Use Dermal Fillers with Botox?

While Botox works on moderate to severe wrinkles, it may not target all of the areas that you’re concerned about, particularly on the lower half of the face. If you feel that dermal fillers may be a good approach to your treatment, make sure to consult with your injectionist or doctor. They’ll be able to offer you advice tailored to your skin and its unique shape and elasticity.You may sometimes be able to use fillers simultaneously with Botox, depending on the treatment areas impacted by each. We often recommend a conservative approach of starting with one or the other to ensure that you can see the full benefits of each treatment separately.

A Customized Approach

Are you confident that Botox is the right solution to help you combat the fine lines on your face? Spa West in Westlake, OH, can help you take the first step to achieving smoother skin with fewer fine lines. We design a customized plan for each of our patients, ensuring that the treatment and number of Botox units are right for you. Book your consultation with us today to learn more about what you can expect from Botox injections.