Fine lines and wrinkles often appear on the upper half of the face because of repeated facial expressions like smiling, frowning, or raising the eyebrows. These lines may develop earlier for some or become more pronounced because of genetics and lifestyle. The dynamic nature of these wrinkles means they tend to deepen over time as the skin loses elasticity.
At Aledo Empowered Wellness in Aledo, TX, we offer wrinkle-relaxing treatments like Botox and Dysport® to treat these wrinkles. These neuromodulators are precise and minimally invasive. They are perfect for patients who wish to avoid downtime but also want to refresh their appearance.
What is Botox?
Botox is a “wrinkle relaxer.” Botox is a special type of botulinum toxin (type A), or “tox.” Different brands of “tox,” are minimally invasive neuromodulator injections that are used to decrease contraction strength and movement of certain muscles. When combined with other therapies, deeply lined skin can recuperate and heal, leaving behind a younger, fresher appearance even after the botulinum toxin wears off.
How Does Botox Work?
Botulinum toxin treatment interrupts the communication between nerves and targeted muscles. When you make facial expressions, your nerves release a chemical messenger called acetylcholine which signals your muscles to contract. Botox blocks the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, reducing local muscle activity.
Reduced repetitive movements such as frowning or squinting result in softer expression lines. The effects typically begin within a few days after treatment, as the muscles gradually relax, and can last for several months. By addressing the underlying muscle activity, Botox helps minimize the appearance of wrinkles without affecting surrounding areas.
What is Botox Used For?
Cosmetic Uses for Botox
- Crow’s Feet: Crow’s feet are the fine lines that appear at the outer corners of the eyes, often becoming more visible when you smile or squint. Botox injections can relax the muscles around the eyes, softening these lines while maintaining a natural look.
- Forehead Lines: Forehead lines run horizontally across the forehead and are typically the result of raising your eyebrows repeatedly. These lines can become deeper and more noticeable as skin elasticity decreases. Treating the area with Botox can smooth out the forehead, reducing the prominence of these lines and creating a more refreshed appearance.
- Frown Lines: Frown lines, also known as glabellar lines, are vertical wrinkles that form between the eyebrows due to furrowing or squinting. These lines often make individuals look angry or tired even when relaxed, but they can easily be treated with Botox injections.
- Bunny Lines: Bunny lines develop along the sides of the nose when scrunching it during expressions like laughing or smiling. While these lines may be unnoticeable at first, they can become more pronounced with age. Botox minimizes the movement that creates these lines and leaves the nose looking smoother.
- Chin Dimples: Chin dimples, or “pebble chin,” cause an uneven texture or small indentations. A precise Botox treatment can relax these muscles, smooth the area, and restore a more uniform texture on the chin.
- Botox Lip Flip: A lip flip involves injecting Botox into the muscles around the upper lip to gently relax them, creating the appearance of a fuller lip without fillers. This treatment subtly enhances the lip’s shape and can also reduce a gummy smile by limiting the upward movement of the upper lip while smiling.
Medical Uses for Botox
- Hyperhidrosis: Hyperhidrosis is characterized by excessive sweating in the underarms, hands, or feet. This condition occurs when sweat glands are overstimulated by nerve signals. Botox injections can block these signals and reduce sweat production in treated areas.
- Migraines: Chronic migraines can be debilitating, impacting daily life with severe headaches and related symptoms like nausea and sensitivity to light. Botox targets the nerve pathways involved in pain transmission and helps prevent the onset of migraines.
- Eye Twitching: Persistent eye twitching, or blepharospasm, results from involuntary muscle contractions around the eyes. This condition can be both uncomfortable and disruptive. Botox relaxes the overactive muscles responsible for the twitching.
- Jaw Pain: Jaw pain, often associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders or teeth grinding, is caused by overactive jaw muscles. Botox treatment can relax these muscles to reduce pain and tension. This approach also helps minimize associated issues like headaches, an overly large masseter muscle, or muscle fatigue.
What Are the Benefits of Botox?
Botox Is a Non-Surgical Wrinkle Treatment
Addressing wrinkles doesn’t always require surgery or extensive downtime. Botox treatments effectively reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles without incisions or recovery time. Patients can return to their normal activities shortly after their appointment.
Botox Treatments Are Fast and Easy
Botox injections are quick, minimally invasive, and performed in-office so you can get treatment without disrupting your day. Appointments typically take only 10–15 minutes so they won’t take up much of your time.
Treatments With Botox Are Customizable
Each patient’s facial structure and concerns are unique. It is important for us to offer treatments that take these differences into account. Each Botox treatment can be adjusted to suit the patient.
Botox Results Look Natural
Properly administered injections allow you to maintain your natural expressions while minimizing unwanted lines. Rather than freezing your face, Botox treatments soften targeted muscles for a subtle, refreshed appearance.
Botox Offers Preventative Benefits
Dynamic wrinkles caused by repeated facial expressions deepen over time. Regular Botox injections can help slow this process by reducing the muscle activity that contributes to wrinkle formation. Patients who start treatments early often notice fewer pronounced lines as they age.
The Botox Treatment Process
The process begins with a consultation to assess your concerns, facial anatomy, and desired outcomes. During your appointment, a fine needle is used to administer Botox injections directly into the targeted muscles. Multiple injections will be given per treatment area to create the desired result, usually between five and seven injections.
Most patients report only mild discomfort during the treatment, similar to a small pinch. We may apply numbing cream to the area first to minimize the poke. Once the treatment is complete, you can return to most normal activities right away. We may recommend avoiding certain activities to prevent the Botox from spreading to unintended areas or to keep you from bruising. For example, we may have you avoid extreme heat, facial massage, and NSAIDs for several days.
What Is Dysport?
Dysport is another wrinkle relaxer used to smooth dynamic wrinkles caused by repeated facial expressions. Like Botox, it uses botulinum toxin type A to temporarily reduce muscle activity in targeted areas. Dysport’s unique formulation allows it to spread more evenly and it can be used to create soft results in larger areas.
How Is Dysport Different From Botox?
While both Dysport and Botox are derived from botulinum toxin type A, their differences lie in formulation and spreadability. Dysport has smaller protein molecules which allows it to diffuse more broadly in treated areas. Botox can be more suitable for smaller or more concentrated regions where precision is desired. Each option is chosen based on the treatment goals and areas of concern.
Commonly Asked Questions About Neuromodulators
Who Is a Good Candidate for Neuromodulators?
Individuals seeking to address dynamic wrinkles caused by repetitive facial movements are typically good candidates. Neuromodulators are effective for smoothing areas like crow’s feet, frown lines, and forehead lines. Patients should be in good overall health, not pregnant or breastfeeding, and have realistic expectations for the treatment.
How Long Does Botox Last?
The effects of Botox generally last about three to four months. The amount of time it will last for you will depend on your body’s metabolism, what area you want to treat, the dosage, and the amount of movement in your face. Some people are more expressive than others or metabolize the Botox faster which can lead to variations in longevity. As the neuromodulator wears off, we suggest maintenance treatments for sustained results.
How Long Does Dysport Last?
Dysport offers similar longevity, with effects lasting approximately three to four months as well. It may start working slightly faster than Botox, with some patients noticing results within two to three days.
When Will I See My Botox Results?
Most patients begin noticing Botox results within three to five days as the treated muscles start to relax. Full results typically develop within two weeks. If you have an event coming up and you wish to treat your wrinkles before that date, we suggest scheduling your Botox injections several weeks in advance. This also allows for any bruising or redness from the treatment to disappear completely before the big day.
Are Neuromodulators Safe?
When administered by trained professionals, neuromodulators like Botox and Dysport are considered safe for wrinkle reduction. Side effects are usually mild and temporary, such as slight swelling or redness at the injection site. Some patients might experience a mild headache or a feeling of tightness in the treated area shortly after the procedure. Rarely, unintended effects like temporary eyelid drooping or uneven results can occur, often due to the spread of the product beyond the intended area. The best way to minimize these risks is to get your Botox treatments from an experienced injector. It is also important to follow aftercare instructions to get the best results.
Will My Face Look Frozen After Botox?
Properly administered Botox allows for natural facial movement while softening lines and wrinkles. The goal is to relax targeted muscles, not to eliminate all expressions. With a skilled injector, patients can expect subtle, natural-looking improvements without a “frozen” appearance.
What Is the Difference Between Botox and Dermal Fillers?
Botox and dermal fillers address wrinkles and facial aesthetics in different ways. Dermal fillers work by adding volume beneath the skin. Made from substances like hyaluronic acid, fillers can add volume to areas like the cheeks, lips, and under-eye hollows, as well as smooth out deeper static wrinkles such as nasolabial folds.
Can Men Get Botox?
Men can benefit from Botox just as much as women, but their treatment plans are often adjusted to account for differences in facial anatomy and muscle mass. Because men typically have stronger facial muscles, they may require slightly higher doses of Botox to achieve the desired effect. The goal is to soften lines while maintaining a natural appearance, so we may start with a light treatment and add more later if desired.
How Much Does Botox Cost?
Botox is priced per unit, but the number of units is different for each patient. When you arrive for your consultation, we will give you a transparent estimate so you know what to expect.
How is Aledo Empowered Wellness different?
At Aledo Empowered Wellness, we create treatment plans that are as unique as the patients we serve. We take the time to truly listen and understand your concerns, making sure every treatment fits your lifestyle and specific goals. At Aledo, we won’t push treatments on you that aren’t right for you, but will only recommend the options that we believe will benefit you.
We believe in building personal connections and addressing issues before they become larger problems. We also value education, giving you the knowledge you need to understand your treatment and have a more active role in your care. Healthcare is a team effort, and we’re here to guide and support you every step of the way. With a focus on safety, clear communication, and high-quality care, we’re dedicated to making your experience as effective and personalized as possible.
Enjoy Smooth, Wrinkle-Free Skin With Wrinkle Injections in Aledo, TX
At Aledo Empowered Wellness, we offer several brands of wrinkle relaxers, including BOTOX Cosmetic and DYSPORT to help meet your unique concerns. Our team is expertly trained in customizing treatment plans for our patients in Aledo, TX. We also proudly offer Aspire and Alle rewards programs so you can save more every time you treat yourself. If you are interested in learning more, give us a call at (682) 332-0169 or visit us online.
