There are some people who have always said that they would age gracefully. What they really meant by this is that they would not use cosmetic treatments or procedures in order to alter their appearance and help them to maintain a youthful look. While some people may be completely comfortable with this, what usually happens is that a person will say they want to age gracefully but will feel so unsatisfied with their appearance when dynamic wrinkles start to appear that they desperately look for ways to remove their wrinkles. And when they find out that wrinkles can be treated in a quick, easy, and effective way, they jump on the opportunity. Botox® is a perfect solution for individuals who are interested in saying goodbye to pesky wrinkles.
Not everyone realizes that this product is used for both medical and cosmetic treatments. It was approved by the FDA in 2002 to be used to help individuals who were interested in smoothing away unwanted dynamic wrinkles. It is also used to help individuals who are dealing with migraines, excessive sweating, and other medical issues.
You should know that Botox® treatments are not permanent. This actually makes many first-time users feel comfortable knowing that if they do not like the results, they are not stuck with them forever. When this product is used to treat dynamic wrinkles, the effects usually last for up to four months. By the time the product wears off, a person may decide that they want to have touch up treatments. These treatment sessions are usually short, just 15 minutes or less.
How Does Botox® Work?
It is likely that you have seen some companies advertise this product as something that can erase wrinkles. In most cases this is not accurate. You are not going to come into our clinic with deep dynamic wrinkles, have them pulled from your face, and walk away looking like you are 18 years old. The goal of the treatment is much more preventative than it is restorative. The product will relax the facial muscles, which will stop them from contracting with the same force that they did before the product was injected. This allows the skin that sits on top of those facial muscles to rest as well, which means that deeper wrinkles are likely to be smoothed out. It is likely that fine lines will be erased.
It is most common for individuals to have the muscles around the outer corners of their eyes and on their forehead to be treated. This is where the vast majority of dynamic wrinkles occur. Just think of what are known as crow’s feet. These are the wrinkles that are located at the outer corners of the eyes that come as a result of squinting and smiling. The product can relax these muscles and cause you to look younger.
Do you have what looks like the number 11 or even just a one right in between your eyebrows? You may have had this line for a long time. People may ask you if you are angry or thinking deeply about something even when you feel happy and carefree. Those lines are associated with the aging process and negative emotions. You may be projecting ideas to others without intending to do so. So in addition to helping you look younger, you are going to help your body to show your true feelings as opposed to allowing your wrinkles to say things about you that are not really true.
Botox® as a Preventative Treatment
Many people have been using this product in order to prevent dynamic wrinkles before they even start to appear. The dynamic wrinkles we mentioned above are due to your skin folding time after time. If you can relax the facial muscles before your skin is folded to the point where wrinkles start to show, you can maintain a youthful-looking face. You may be wondering how soon you should start treatments if you want to maintain a youthful face for as long as possible.
If you are starting to see fine lines in areas where older people have a deeper wrinkles, now may be the ideal time for you to begin treatments. In order to qualify for this product, you must be at least 18 years old. Some individuals who are in their mid to late 20s may decide to use this product in order to prevent wrinkles. It is typical for people to begin using this as a preventative treatment at about age 30.
It is good to mention that more is not always the better option when it comes to using this product. If a person begins to use this product when they are very young and they use it too often, it may lead to their facial muscles weakening. When you visit us for your initial consultation, we can discuss an appropriate time for you to begin using the product.
There are other things that a person will need to think about when it comes to qualifying for the treatment. The youngest a person can be in order to use this product for cosmetic treatments is 18. Individuals who are over 65 years old are not usually good candidates for this product.
Women who are pregnant are not good candidates for this treatment. If a woman is nursing, she will want to wait until that period of time is over before having these injections.
While it is common to associate using cosmetic treatments with women, men also qualify for these injections. Many men have found that having Botox® injections gives them just what they need in order to renew their self-confidence. It gives them just the edge they need to compete in the workplace or to find a new romantic partner.
One of the reasons why this treatment is so popular is because of how safe it is. Also, most people out there qualify for treatment. Only individuals who have serious health problems are usually not good candidates. For example, if a person has a serious ailment that affects their nervous or muscular systems, they may not qualify for this treatment. It is good to mention that the skin in the area that will receive treatment needs to be healthy. If a person is dealing with an infection in the area, they will need to allow the skin to heal before the treatment can be performed.
Is This the Right Option for You?
It is normal for a person to feel a little bit nervous about trying a new cosmetic treatment. If you feel a little bit nervous about having Botox® injections, we are here to help. You are warmly invited to contact our office in order to schedule a consultation.
When you meet with us for the first time, you are going to be able to sit down and discuss this treatment with our professionals. An educated member of our team will examine your dynamic wrinkles and ask you questions about your health. Your health is our top priority.
If it is decided that this is the right option to help you deal with your dynamic wrinkles, the injections can usually be performed as soon as the consultation is over. You should schedule at least 30 minutes for your first visit with us. Many of our clients schedule this session during their lunch break at work. They are able to do this because the sessions are so short and because they do not have to worry about any recovery time after the treatment.
You can get right back to all normal activities, including going back to work after the treatment is over. You will just need to avoid excessive sun exposure in the first day or two after the treatment. You also need to avoid touching the area a lot during the first couple of days. If you have a bit of swelling or redness where the injections were given, you can use a bit of makeup to cover it. These symptoms will go away soon on their own.
Many of our clients have had great success using these injections along with other cosmetic treatments. For example, many have found that using dermal fillers along with Botox® is a great way to completely rejuvenate their look. Dynamic wrinkles are caused from making facial expressions. Static wrinkles are caused because of the loss of facial volume. Both types of wrinkles can make you look older and less vibrant. You can use these two treatments in order to experience benefits that are similar to a facelift without going through surgery. Dermal fillers are also temporary. They usually only last about six months to a year. We can discuss a good schedule with you for using both treatments if you feel that this is the best way to improve your overall appearance.
We may find that you need a bit more work to achieve your goals than simply using Botox® injections. We have more options available to help our clients look and feel their best. Some of our clients have been using less invasive treatments for years and are not getting the results that they want anymore. In this case a lift procedure or a non-surgical skin tightening treatment may be recommended. Our goal is to examine your skin, listen to your goals, and then set up a treatment plan that can help you.
If you are interested in learning more, please visit Artful Aesthetics in Oakland, CA. We are excited to help individuals who are interested in using Botox® as a preventative treatment as well as a restorative treatment. We would also be happy to tell you about the many other cosmetic treatments we offer. We want to help you refresh your look and say goodbye to those pesky wrinkles for good. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!