Botox® has become a household name over the past several years. This minimally invasive cosmetic treatment allows our patients to reduce their signs of aging without having to sacrifice their time or comfort. While many of our patients know what Botox® is, they still have a ton of unanswered questions about how it works and can benefit them. Here’s what you need to know about Botox® and when you should start your treatments.
What Botox® Treats
Botox® is what we call an injectable. This minimally invasive cosmetic treatment is most commonly used to address signs of aging in patients, particularly around the upper third of their face. Patients most commonly use Botox® to address:
- Fine lines and wrinkles along the forehead
- Frown lines between the brows
- Crow’s feet around the outer eyes
- Bunny lines along the bridge of the nose
How Botox® Works
Unlike dermal fillers that add volume under the skin to reduce signs of aging, Botox® temporarily relaxes the muscles in the treated areas to reduce what we call “dynamic wrinkles.” By freezing the muscles in your treated areas, the dynamic wrinkles caused by repeated facial expressions and muscle movements have the opportunity to relax and smooth away.
Botox® to Prevent Signs of Aging
While in the past Botox® has been used by patients who already have moderate to severe signs of aging, more and more patients are interested in receiving Botox® as a preventative treatment. This means patients as young as their early to mid-twenties are starting to consider and receive Botox® treatments to reduce the appearance of their fine lines and prevent them from worsening as they get older. While Botox® is still popular among our more mature patients, we encourage patients of all ages to consider using Botox® to their benefit.
Other Uses for Botox®
While Botox® is most popularly used to reduce signs of aging in our patients, Botox® has also been used to treat the following:
- Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating
- TMJ
- Gummy smiles or flipped upper lips when smiling
If you have any questions about Botox® and how it can benefit you, we encourage you to contact us and schedule your one-on-one consultation with Dr. McRae today.