Dr. Mehta and our Aesthetic Nurse, Shannon, are expert injectors of BOTOX® Cosmetic, Dysport™, and Xeomin. These are neuromodulators which are FDA approved for the aesthetic treatment of dynamic lines. We use them most often to treat the glabellar frown lines (“11” lines), horizontal forehead lines, and crow’s feet. In addition to improving the appearance of lines and wrinkles, both products can be carefully injected underneath the outside corners of the eyebrows to lift them. This technique is called the “Botox Browlift” or “Nonsurgical Browlift”. Bunny lines on the nose and chin wrinkles can also be treated. These neuromodulators are extremely popular among our patients, and their effects typically last between 3 and 6 months.
These products work by relaxing the muscles that contribute to horizontal wrinkles of the forehead, vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows, and fine lines around the eyes. They consist of the purified botulinum toxin, though the amount administered, even in treating multiple areas, is a miniscule fraction of the amount associated with cases of botulism. Millions of patients have been safely treated worldwide with injectable neuromodulators since their initial approval.
When injected by trained specialists, like Dr. Mehta and Shannon, the effects of these neuromodulators are natural appearing, not “frozen”. We would like you to appear more relaxed and youthful, without affecting your ability to perform common facial expressions such as smiling. The injections are done in the office setting, using a tiny needle that is practically painless.
The Treatment
Patients arrive to the office and before photographs are taken. We then use topical numbing cream to ensure the most comfortable treatment possible. Your injector will perform a comprehensive assessment of your face and discuss their findings and suggested treatment plan. The injections take approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
After Care
After your neuromodulator treatment, we ask that you refrain from rubbing the area, exercising, or laying down for 4 to 5 hours. Following these guidelines helps ensure the injected product stays were we want it to act.
What to Expect
Neuromodulators take approximately two to seven days to take effect. At this time, you will notice your muscles are relaxed and your fine lines are starting to diminish. There is a small chance that after a treatment you will need a little touch-up. This can be due to part of the muscle not being relaxed enough. If this occurs, we invite you to return the office one to two weeks after your initial treatment for a complimentary touchup, to address the residual movement.
Three to six months after treatment, activity of the affected muscles is fully restored. Most patients will then return for repeat treatment to maintain the results. For those who are not retreated, however, there is no change in their facial expressions and muscle motion as compared to their baseline, before treatment.
Other Applications
Another exciting application of BOTOX is for the treatment of bruxism, or teeth-grinding, which can be associated with chronic painful temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders (TMJ). Dr. Mehta treats many patients with this extremely common and underreported problem. The treatment involves injecting a precise amount of Botox (usually 15-20 units per side) into the masseter muscles, the muscles which bulge in the cheeks when clenching the teeth. We use a thin needle to make this treatment both safe and comfortable. This procedure can also shrink the size of the masseter muscles and can therefore improve the contour of the jawline (jawline reduction). In feminine faces, this can give more of a heart shape, by narrowing a wide jaw.
In addition to bruxism, Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin can also be used to treat underarm sweating, sweaty palms, and platysmal bands (neck bands). These are unique and non-invasive treatment options for common complaints!
If you have any additional questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please feel free to get in touch with our office.
