BOTOX® and Dysport are products that can be used to reduce expression lines around a person’s eyes and forehead. A variety of factors facilitate the development of these lines, though they commonly appear after years of contracting the muscles around the eyes while squinting, frowning or concentrating.
During treatment, a physician injects BOTOX Cosmetic, a prescription medication, into the muscles around the eyes. The medication blocks nerve impulses to the injected muscles, thereby reducing the muscle activity that causes lines to form. During subsequent treatment sessions, the physician will adjust the dose until the optimal amount for each patient is determined.
BOTOX Cosmetic is best suited to individuals 18 to 65 years old who have moderate to severe frown lines. People who have allergies, muscle or nerve conditions such as myasthenia gravis, a viral disease, weakness of facial muscles, or who are pregnant or wish to become pregnant, may not be appropriate candidates for BOTOX Cosmetic. A discussion with a dermatologist can help determine whether BOTOX Cosmetic is right for you.
Side effects may occur following treatment with BOTOX Cosmetic. Patients who find it difficult to breathe, speak, or swallow, or who experience botulism (characterized by muscle weakness, change of voice, vision problems, and loss of bladder control) should seek medical help immediately.
Most patients see a reduction of their expression lines within days, and their facial appearance may continue to improve for 30 days. The medication lasts for up to four months, after which period a physician will need to re-administer BOTOX Cosmetic. Patients who have received BOTOX Cosmetic are still able to make facial expressions. Because the treatment is a minimally invasive procedure that does not require surgery, patients do not need to take time off from work and life to recover.
Fillers can be injected into the skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They work by filling the line or crease with a substance (hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, synthetic poly-L-lactic acid, or collagen), with the result that skin appears smoother and younger. Fillers may also be used to plump cheeks or hands, or add volume to lips.
Depending on the filler used and the area injected, results may last from four months to a year.
Juvederm and Restylene are smooth gels that a physician may inject into areas of facial tissue around the mouth and nose where wrinkles and folds occur. The gel is often used to smooth out three different types of wrinkles and folds: smile lines, marionette lines, and vertical lines. Smile lines stretch from the bottom of the nose to the corners of the mouth. Marionette lines form next to and below the corners of the mouth, and frequently give the appearance of sagging or a downturned expression. Vertical lines appear above and around the lips and develop naturally as a person ages, though they may be worsened by sun exposure, smoking, or stress.
Different types of Juvederm and Restylene are available. Different types of fillers are used to target and treat specific wrinkles and folds.
Young skin contains ample amounts of a substance called hyaluronic acid that hydrates skin. Aging, sunlight, and other factors reduce the amount of hyaluronic acid in the skin, causing it to lose structure and volume. The visible result: wrinkles. Juvederm temporarily adds volume to the skin, giving the appearance of a smoother surface by replenishing the skin’s supply of hyaluronic acid.
Because Juvederm and Restylene are infused with Lidocaine, a type of anesthetic, patients experience less discomfort from typical injections during and immediately following treatment. Patients are asked to avoid strenuous exercise, consumption of alcohol, and prolonged exposure to sun or heat for at least 24 hours after receiving Juvederm. Unlike other hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, Juvederm provides results that can last for up to one year.
If you are under 18 years of age, pregnant, or breast-feeding, or are at risk for certain allergies, you may not be a good candidate for Juvederm and Restylene. Additionally, individuals who have excessive scarring or pigmentation disorder are discouraged from using Juvederm and Restylene. It is best to discuss your options and risks with your physician.
Contact Steele Creek Dermatology in Charlotte to schedule your consultation. Our experienced team will work with you to determine the most effective injectable treatment regimen for your needs.