· Introduction

 · Treatment of Facial Wrinkles
· BOTOX® Cosmetic: Is It For You? · Links
· Restylane

Introduction

Patients often seek treatments for facial aging that avoid surgery.  In addition, patiens whom have had surgery seek methods to maintain their surgical result as long as possible while minimizing the effects of aging.  BOTOX Cosmetic can be used to make a dramatic improvement in the lines of expression we see on our foreheads, between our eyebrows, and around our eyes.  BOTOX is a purified protein administered in a simple, non-surgical procedure that temporarily improves the appearance of moderate to severe "frown lines".    

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Although the media often likes to link the now household terms of "Botox and Restylane", it is important to note that these wonderful treatments are not similar at all.  Botox is designed for the elimination of dynamic lines and to soften static lines.  Restylane is designed to fill, or plump tissue of static lines.

Dynamic Lines:  Dynamic lines are the result of the folding of skin static lines during facial animation (frowning, smiling, etc.)  Dynamic lines can be softened with surgical and laser treatment, but never eliminated because they are the result of facial muscle movements.  The only way to dramatically soften or eliminate dynamic lines is with Botox treatments at intervals of 3-9 months regularly.  This is especially true of smile lines around the eyes.

Static Lines:  Static lines are facial wrinkles, or rhytids, that appear at rest.  This means that the lines are present when the patient is not smiling, frowning, etc.  They occur as a result of the weakening (loss of elasticity of collagen links) and loss of plumpness (subdermal atrophy) of skin with age.  They are best treated with dermal fillers (Restylane) and skin resurfacing (Chemical Peels or Laser Skin Resurfacing) and/or the removal of excess skin with face-lifting (Rhytidectomy).

During treatment, very low doses of BOTOX Cosmetic are administered via a few tiny injections.  "Frown lines" are caused by overactive facial muscles.  BOTOX Cosmetic is intramuscular, blocking the chemicals that cause facial muscles to contract, thereby relaxing them.  You can expect to see results within days after your treatment.  The appearance of your "frown lines" may continue to improve for up to a week.  Visible results can last up to 4 months.  After that, you may be ready to return for a follow-up treatment.  Your own results may vary, be sure to talk to Dr. Colgan about what you can expect.