BOTOX® Cosmetic
Serving Fresno and the Central Valley
Schedule a ConsultationWhat Is BOTOX® Cosmetic?
BOTOX® Cosmetic offers fast and reliable softening and reduction of unwanted facial creases. It is ideal for fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and nose. Even the appearance of deeper lines on the forehead, mouth, and between the eyebrows can be softened. BOTOX® Cosmetic is an injectable made from botulinum toxin type A, a neurotoxin that minimizes the appearance of dynamic wrinkles by temporarily interfering with specific muscle contractions. Dynamic wrinkles are lines caused by repeated muscle movements, such as facial expressions. BOTOX® Cosmetic provides a rejuvenated facial appearance that is sure to be noticed.
Nonsurgical treatments can be performed to provide patients with the subtle enhancement they have always wanted.
Benefits of BOTOX® Cosmetic
BOTOX® Cosmetic offers several benefits to fight aging and smooth your skin, including:
- Reduce the appearance of crow’s feet
- Smooth horizontal forehead lines
- Target glabellar frown lines between the eyebrows
- Decrease lines around the mouth
- Improve a downturned mouth
- Prevent early signs of aging
What Can BOTOX® Cosmetic Achieve?
Youthful Eyes
Repeated muscle movements around the eyes and upper face cause fine lines and wrinkles to develop at a quicker rate than they would on other regions of the face. These lines alter your appearance and can make you look older and more intense than you actually are. BOTOX® Cosmetic smooths these wrinkles so that you can regain a youthful and pleasing appearance.
Multiple Treatment Areas
Patients who opt for this treatment can address various areas of concern. Although most patients choose BOTOX® Cosmetic to combat aging on the upper face, it is also useful in reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles between the nose and mouth.
Fast Results
BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment is an in-office procedure that can take as few as 10 minutes to complete. Results begin to show within a few days after injection and continue to improve without requiring any downtime or recovery period. The effect may last four months or more.
Improved Confidence
So much of your confidence revolves around how you see yourself. The presence of premature fine lines and wrinkles may lead to a lack of self-esteem, which affects the way you present yourself in social and professional situations. BOTOX® Cosmetic can diminish these insecurities and improve your quality of life.
Good candidates for BOTOX® Cosmetic are people over 18 who are in good overall health. Ideal candidates for BOTOX® Cosmetic include men and women who:
- Have moderate to severe wrinkles on their forehead or around their eyes
- Wish to prevent dynamic wrinkles from etching themselves in their face
- Wish to prevent premature aging but aren’t ready for surgery
- Have realistic expectations for their results
Patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or who have neuromuscular disorders are not good candidates for BOTOX® Cosmetic, so be sure to let Dr. Chin know about your medical history before your treatment.
What Can I Expect from My BOTOX® Cosmetic Treatment?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is an outpatient procedure that only takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete, offering a quick and comfortable way to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
During your treatment, BOTOX® Cosmetic is injected into the desired area using a fine needle. This neurotoxin blocks nerve impulses from reaching the muscles, inhibiting the muscles’ ability to contract and create wrinkles. Over time, the targeted muscles relax, and fine lines begin to soften or disappear altogether. Some discomfort may be experienced initially; however, it should only last a few seconds.
BOTOX® Cosmetic Post-Treatment Instructions
At your BOTOX® Cosmetic injection appointment, Dr. Chin will provide you with specific post-treatment instructions. However, some general guidelines to follow include:
- Avoid touching, rubbing, or putting pressure on the treatment area for at least 24 hours, as this could cause BOTOX® Cosmetic to spread to nearby muscles and lead to unwanted side effects.
- You may carefully wash your face with cool or lukewarm water after treatment. However, do not rub the cleanser into your skin and pat your face dry using extreme care.
- Stay upright for at least four hours after your treatment to ensure the BOTOX® Cosmetic stays in the targeted treatment area.
- Avoid heat as much as possible, including saunas, hot tubs, showers, and exercise for at least 24 hours. Heat increases circulation, which can make BOTOX® Cosmetic disperse too quickly, reducing its effectiveness.
- Avoid direct sun exposure for one to two days.
- Avoid anti-inflammatory medications for 48 hours after treatment, if possible, to reduce chances of bruising.
You may experience mild discomfort, as well as swelling, bruising, redness, or itching at the injection site after your BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment. These are expected side effects and will resolve on their own within a few days.
What Are Some Frequently Asked Questions About BOTOX® Cosmetic?
What can I expect during my recovery?
Patients can return to their daily routines immediately following their BOTOX® Cosmetic appointment. There is no downtime or recovery period, and all temporary side effects should subside within a few hours or days. Results will become apparent once the muscles have begun to relax, which typically occurs a few days after the injection.
How long will my BOTOX® Cosmetic results last?
BOTOX® Cosmetic offers temporary relief from wrinkles and fine lines. The results traditionally last between three and five months before the treatment needs to be repeated. It is not uncommon for the effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic to last longer once several treatments have been administered.
How often should I get BOTOX® Cosmetic injections?
The effectiveness of BOTOX® Cosmetic injections typically lasts about three to four months, but some people go up to six months between appointments. The frequency of your BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments depends on several factors, including your desired results, the severity of the wrinkles treated, and how quickly your body metabolizes BOTOX® Cosmetic.
Can BOTOX® Cosmetic be combined with other procedures?
BOTOX® Cosmetic can be performed as a standalone treatment or combined with another cosmetic procedure, such as dermal fillers, or a cosmetic surgery procedure, such as a facelift, to produce comprehensive facial rejuvenation.
Are there any other uses for BOTOX® Cosmetic?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is most commonly used to reduce the appearance of unwanted lines and wrinkles on the upper region of the face; however, its ability to temporarily reduce the appearance of wrinkles was discovered by accident. BOTOX® was initially created as a way to prevent muscular spasms, including spasms in the neck and the eyes. BOTOX® is still used for this purpose, as well as to treat chronic migraines and excessive sweating.
Are there any risks associated with BOTOX® Cosmetic?
BOTOX® Cosmetic has been safely and successfully reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for years. While BOTOX® Cosmetic reduces muscle movement, it does not have any lasting effect on the nerves and does not lead to nerve damage. While rare, temporary side effects may include:
- Allergic reactions
- Muscle weakness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tenderness
- Redness
- Skin rashes
- Rupture of a blood vessel
- Eyelid droop