Take Years Off Your Face With Botox

Every year in the United States, millions of Americans have Botox® cosmetic treatments to reduce signs of facial aging. In fact, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), Botox treatments are the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedure by far. 

Botox is popular for many reasons, including its relatively low cost, lack of downtime, and quick results. But the biggest reason for its popularity is this: It works.

At Southwest Michigan Dermatology, our Dermatologist offers Botox treatments to help women and men in Portage, Michigan, reduce signs of aging, so they can look great and feel more confident. Set up an appointment with one of our Doctors to discuss your goals and develop a customized treatment plan for you! Here’s how Botox works and how it could help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

How Botox works

Typically, wrinkles form when nerve signals tell muscles to contract, tugging on the overlying skin and forming lines. Over time, repeated facial movements can wind up “etching” those lines into your face, especially in areas where your face is mobile — like the corners of your eyes, your brow area, and your forehead. 

Botox is a neuromuscular agent that works on the nerves that “communicate” with specific muscles. When Botox is injected, it blocks nerve signals before they have a chance to communicate with your muscles. As a result, muscles don’t contract, and wrinkles can’t form. 

By smoothing out lines around your eyes, forehead, mouth, and chin areas, your face will appear smoother and more youthful (and less stressed out, too). With repeated Botox treatments, even etched lines become softer and less noticeable for a smoother, more youthful complexion.

Your treatment: What to expect

Botox is injected using very slim needles — much thinner than the needles used for vaccines and other shots. As a result, most people feel little more than a “pinching” when the solution is injected. Each injection takes just a few moments, and most treatment sessions use several injections in each target area to ensure the agent is evenly dispersed.

After your treatment, you’ll need to avoid rubbing the area initially to prevent spreading it out too much. As with any injection, you may have mild redness or swelling afterward. Gently applying ice can help.

You may see initial results the same day but remember that it typically takes a week or two for the full results to be visible. Botox remains effective for about six months, after which you can have a repeat treatment to maintain your beautiful results.

Look — and feel — your best

Because it acts on nerves and muscles, Botox is an excellent choice for dynamic wrinkles — lines that form from facial expressions and other muscle movements. Wrinkles caused by sun damage, genetics, and other factors (so-called static wrinkles) respond better to dermal fillers that plump up lines and restore lost volume. 

The good news: Both types of injectables can be used to treat dynamic and static wrinkles anywhere on the face (and neck, too). 

If you’re ready to start the new year with more confidence, Botox could be the solution you’re looking for. To learn more, call 269-321-7546 or book a consult online at Southwest Michigan Dermatology today.