For many of us, looking our best also makes us feel our best. Some people have time to meticulously work on their appearance each day before leaving the house, but most of us are simply too busy. Botox is the number-one most popular solution for those of us with full schedules. Here at ReviveMD Center in Glen Allen and Richmond, VA, we have a team of experts ready to change the lives of individuals just like you.
This treatment is the most well-known and popular for a reason. It’s the very first FDA-approved non-surgical cosmetic solution to combat natural signs of aging. It was originally approved back in 1989. Because of this, we’ve had plenty of time to perfect this treatment option and make it as safe as possible.
What Is Botox, Exactly?
This is considered the original cosmetic treatment to turn back the clock on aging. It is a mild muscle relaxer that is injected into the patient’s skin. Relaxing the muscles in this way reduces/eliminates fine lines and wrinkles. The main ingredient is OnabotulinumtoxinA or type-A botulinum toxin. This active ingredient will temporarily and gently paralyze some of the facial muscles, preventing them from moving in ways that cause wrinkles.
Most commonly, people receive this treatment for lines/wrinkles between and around the eyes. This is what it was initially used for. As people became more familiar with it and realized how effective it is, target areas expanded. Nowadays people use it just about anywhere on the face and neck. Less commonly, it’s also used for medical problems such as overactive bladder and even chronic migraines.
How Often Can I Receive This Treatment?
Rather than dramatic, synthetic-looking change, this treatment is all about gradual changes to the face that appear natural. For that reason, you should wait at least four months before scheduling your next appointment. You will spend the first few days healing, then start to see desirable effects from three to ten days after your appointment.
Whether or not you decide to get an additional treatment four months after your initial session is up to you. It will depend on a few factors including your skin type, age, the severity of lines/wrinkles, and how long you want your results to last. Many people who receive multiple injections notice their results last quite a bit longer than those who only go with one session.
How This Treatment Works
This treatment fixes the problem of wrinkles at the source. Facial wrinkles are formed by the muscles working and contracting to frown, smile, and squint. The older you get the more defined these are. These culprit muscles are where the injections take place. This injection calms the muscles down and reduces their movements. Think of it like a de-stressor for your facial muscles. It prevents them from contracting, which in turn prevents your skin from being tugged/pulled excessively.
What Should I Expect From the Treatment Session Itself?
Preparation Beforehand
This minimally-invasive treatment provides you the luxury of little to no preparation on your part. For your first consultation with us, we will get to know you and go over your medical history with you. We will also go over current conditions you may have, medications you’re taking, and any allergies you might have.
To reduce the chance of bruising after your session, we ask that you avoid any medications or products that can thin the blood or slow clotting. Some of these include medicines like aspirin and drinks like coffee and soda due to the caffeine content. It’s also a good idea to remove any makeup and clean the skin at the target area before coming in for your treatment.
During Your Session
The session itself is fairly short at no longer than twenty minutes. Most of our sessions are done in about ten minutes. Because the session is so short and simple, some people refer to it as a “lunchtime treatment.” Although it is an injection, our professional practitioners are extremely skilled. You won’t feel anything more than a slight pinch. They know exactly where to place the injections and exactly how much to inject.
After Treatment
You will likely spend the next 48 hours healing after your appointment. After this time you may start to see desired results. The full effects will show themselves gradually up until around the ten-day mark. Your wrinkles, lines, and folds will stay gone for about four months after your session.
Botox Cosmetic Injection FAQs
How Long Is Downtime?
Thanks to the minimally-invasive nature of Botox, downtime is virtually nonexistent. It may be wise to avoid overly-strenuous activities for the rest of the day immediately following your appointment. Maybe save the gym for the next day.
How Soon After My Appointment Will I See Results?
Most people start seeing results after the 48-hour mark. That’s because this is when the skin is healed up and the muscles have now spent two days relaxing. The changes are gradual and subtle, creating a more natural look. The first week is when you will see the full extent of your results. The appearance of fine lines and wrinkles will keep improving until around the ten-day mark. You can then enjoy younger, healthier skin for the next four months!
How Many Sessions Do I Need?
The amount is completely up to your discretion and results will differ depending on your age, goals, and skin type. We do have a few recommendations, however. If you’re coming in to get rid of crow’s feet, three sessions are usually ideal. We typically advise up to five sessions for frown lines and forehead lines.
Common Myths
This Treatment Is Only for Women
This could not be further from the truth! Many men have reaped the benefits of this treatment, especially in recent years. While it may be thought that only women tend to care about their appearance enough to receive this injection, studies prove otherwise.
In the last three years, there have been over one million treatments for men alone. A study revealed that of the men who were surveyed about their appearance, the vast majority (some 80%) said they also cared about looking good.
This Treatment Is Only for Those Over 40
This cannot be true because everyone has different skin. Some people don’t get severe lines until their 40s or 50s. Many people start getting crow’s feet, laugh lines, and forehead lines in their 30s. Many of today’s cosmetic surgeons report that about 64% of their Botox and other injection treatment patients are in their early-to-mid thirties.
Keep in mind as well that lots of different factors will contribute to facial lines and wrinkles. A few of the biggest ones include reduced collagen production, damage from excessive sunlight over time, and even happenstance cellular changes that can occur.
It Completely Paralyzes the Face
If you’ve heard this one, it’s most likely from someone who doesn’t have a full understanding of what a Botox treatment is. The formula used in the syringes is designed to partially inhibit the muscles’ ability to move. This just means that it’s being prevented from contracting in a way that gives you lines and wrinkles.
Some people think this treatment will make them look like they’re wearing a mask and they’ll no longer be able to express emotions on their faces. If you’re going to a trustworthy provider like us, this will not be the case. Our experts have enough knowledge in facial anatomy to only prevent the muscles from moving in positions that deepen wrinkles. We do not prevent them from moving completely.
It Will Look Unnatural and Overdone
As long as you are getting your treatment done by a professional with ample skill and know-how, you have nothing to worry about. This treatment is extremely sensitive to the techniques used during your session. This means the results are heavily reliant on where your provider places the injections, how they place them, and how much fluid they inject. Our providers are trustworthy because they not only have the proper licensing and training but years of real-world experience as well.
We make it our goal to provide you with natural, realistic results that last as long as possible. We pride ourselves in performing these treatments in such a way that no one else will notice you’ve had any work done. It will be our little secret! If you aren’t convinced, check out our website where you can see real proof in the form of before-and-after pictures of our clients.
Time To Schedule Your Consultation
If you are ready to look and feel your best, schedule your appointment with us at ReviveMD Center in Glen Allen and Richmond, VA today. It is possible to look flawless and young without the hours spent in front of the mirror!
