Have you noticed the development of fine lines or wrinkles on your face? If so, you should consider Botox. Botox is a non-invasive, injectable treatment that is popular and widely used by patients worldwide seeking to eliminate these fine lines and wrinkles. Last year alone, more than 7 million treatments were administered by cosmetic doctors worldwide. If you are interested in Botox injections for the first time in the Spokane Valley, Washington area or the Post Falls, Idaho area or the Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho area (CDA) it is natural to have questions about the treatment. Drs. Bryan McLelland and Brenen Olsen at Liberty Oral and Facial Surgery are available to help ease any concerns you may have about the treatment by offering answers to commonly asked questions that they receive.
WHAT AREAS CAN BE TREATED WITH BOTOX?
Used for cosmetic purposes, Botox is a wonderfully effective injectable that can reduce or outright eliminate lines and wrinkles which have surfaced on the forehead or eye area (called crow’s feet) and lip lines. Other purposes for the use of Botox include the softening of dimples in the chin or injecting into the muscles of the jaw for a slimmer appearance. Dermatologists have taken Botox to treat conditions including hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).
HOW DOES BOTOX WORK?
A neurotoxin, Botox, is injected into targeted areas for treatment using a very fine needle. Botox works by blocking the nerve signals sent from the brain to the muscles and preventing these nerve signals from making the muscles contract. When muscles do not contract, they remain relaxed, and the skin begins to smooth and unwrinkle.
IS BOTOX UNCOMFORTABLE?
When you think about having needles stuck in your face, you must wonder if getting a Botox treatment is uncomfortable. The good news is that not only are Botox treatments not uncomfortable, but they are also incredibly quick and convenient. Patients who have received Botox report minimal discomfort from the injection process and are pain-free after the completion of the treatment. There is no local anesthesia or recovery time required. Some patients even schedule their Botox treatment during their lunch hour and return to work immediately following their appointment.
HOW QUICKLY WILL I SEE RESULTS?
Treatment results with each patient will differ, but most who undergo a Botox treatment should notice gradual results 3 to 7 days after receiving their injection(s). For some patients, it could take a full 2 weeks to see complete and final results. If you have received your treatment and are concerned with the results you are seeing, make sure and schedule a follow-up with your doctor so they can tell if the treatment is progressing as it should.
HOW LONG WILL RESULTS FROM BOTOX LAST?
While results from a Botox injection will vary from patient to patient, you can typically expect final results to last anywhere from 3 to 6 months. Several factors play into the longevity of the results, but the most prominent factors will include the area of the injection and the amount of Botox neurotoxin used. Other factors can also include the patient’s age, the elasticity of their skin, and the depth of the wrinkles that are present. As facial muscles affected by Botox injections are used less and less, they will (over time) get shorter and smaller. What results from this is extended results from Botox, where you may see results lasting longer than 6 months.
AM I TOO YOUNG OR TOO OLD FOR BOTOX?
Many patients considering Botox injections may wonder if they are too young or too old to try this treatment. Younger patients may consider Botox a preventive treatment at the earliest signs of wrinkles and lines while older patients have waited until these same wrinkles and fine lines are more prominent. If you are concerned that you may be too young or too old for treatment, you should first schedule a consultation with your doctor. During your consultation, your doctor or licensed professional can discuss the procedure and determine if you are a suitable candidate based on your age and general health.
IS BOTOX SAFE?
Botox injections are approved by the FDA and classified as a 100% safe treatment to reverse fine lines and wrinkles. This goes for any suitable candidate, except for women who are pregnant, who are breastfeeding, and for those patients who suffer from certain neurological diseases.
ARE THERE SIDE EFFECTS TO THE TREATMENT?
Just as with any medical or cosmetic treatment, there is always some risk of side effects. While the side effects associated with Botox injections should not be significant, you could experience bruising, redness, swelling, or tenderness around the injection site following the treatment. Any side effects you experience should reside on their own within a few days (or at most a week) following the Botox treatment.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION TODAY!
If you are interested in learning more about a Botox treatment, please call (509) 822-2774 to schedule a consultation with Drs. Bryan McLelland and Brenen Olsen at Liberty Oral Surgery in Spokane Valley, Washington. We would love to talk to you about the treatment, determine if you are a suitable candidate, and answer any questions you may have before getting you the results you have been seeking.
