BOTOX® treatments are more popular now than at any other time in modern history. It is so common for people to have this treatment performed that most people don’t bat an eye when they hear that a friend, a family member, or a coworker uses this treatment. In fact, when you see a person who is dealing with dynamic wrinkles, you may automatically think that they should look into having these treatments done.
A little more than a decade after its introduction into the world, these treatments have become the force behind an amazing industry that is revolutionizing the way that people look. Individuals who have been plagued with dynamic wrinkles for years can have a renewed confidence in their appearance as their dynamic wrinkles become a thing of the past.
Although this non-surgical and minimally-invasive cosmetic treatment is known by most people today, it was not always like that. Let us take a look down memory lane to understand the history of this treatment. Then we’ll discuss why this treatment has been able to refresh the appearance of so many people over the last decade.
How BOTOX® Was Discovered
Jean and Alastair Carruthers, a pair of doctors in Vancouver, are frequently credited with discovering the anti-aging properties of this treatment. Since they started down this path in 1987, non-surgical dynamic wrinkle removal has become the number one cosmetic treatment in North America. It started off a firestorm that was followed by other appearance-refreshing treatments. In a way, it is fair to say that this couple revolutionized the cosmetic industry and the way that the world sees beauty.
Jean and Alastair Carruthers worked together practicing dermatology and treating conditions that affect the eyes, like uncontrollable blinking and spasms. It was then that they started to use certain solutions injected under the skin to stop muscles from spasming. One day, it was realized that the injections faded away the wrinkles in certain areas. Once the results became apparent, more tests were done in proving the validity of the treatment. Since then, countless studies have been performed, and the product now known as BOTOX® is FDA-approved and proven to be both safe and effective.
How Does BOTOX® Work?
When BOTOX® is injected into your muscles, the result is that your muscles relax and unwanted wrinkles are not formed. This is not a permanent treatment. The effects are going to last for multiple months. Once that time has passed, your muscles will begin to move as they did before the treatment, and wrinkles will slowly come back. The good news is you can get the injections repeated as needed for ongoing results.
When you come to our office for the treatment, we will clean the area that is going to be treated. The BOTOX® solution will be skillfully injected into the facial muscles that need to be treated. This is a straightforward process. It is a process that usually only takes minutes and can be done right in our office. Since this is a non-surgical treatment, you are able to go right back to most all of your daily activities immediately afterward.
The results of the treatment are not seen right away. It takes some time for the product to begin to take effect. However, in the days after the treatment, you are going to start to see the benefits. Facial wrinkles and lines are going to fade or disappear. Your skin is going to look smoother. Wrinkles are going to be reduced.
You might wonder if getting this treatment means that you will not be able to make facial expressions. Or you might think you will be left with a permanently surprised look on your face. That is not true, especially when you have the treatment performed by a qualified professional. That is not how this treatment works.
You may have seen some famous individuals who have a permanently surprised look on their face. But it’s most likely not because they have had this treatment done. It’s likely that they have had a surgical procedure, such as a brow lift, that was not performed well. And so that’s why they have that surprised look on their face.
When properly administered, BOTOX® produces results that are natural-looking. In fact, if you do not tell people that you had the treatment done, they likely will never know that you had it.
How Do I Know if I’m a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
How do you know if BOTOX® treatments are right for you? The best way is to visit us and have a commitment-free consultation. During our consultation with you, we will discuss some of the factors that may make you a good candidate for this treatment or may make a different option better for you.
There are some general guidelines that apply. For example, a person needs to be at least 18 years old before they can have these treatments done. Individuals who are dealing with neuromuscular diseases, including MS, would not qualify for these treatments because the treatments are designed to specifically affect the way the nerves and the muscles interact.
A pregnant woman or woman who is nursing would not qualify for treatment. If you have muscle weakness in your facial muscles, this treatment may not be best for you.
Most people have a slightly asymmetrical face. However, if you have drastic asymmetry or drooping eyelids, we may want to discuss a different treatment option with you. If there are issues with the skin around the injection area, such as an infection, it is usually best to let the condition clear up before you have these treatments done.
We would encourage you to talk to us about your medical history. We are not only interested in learning about medical conditions you have or have had in the past, but we also would like to know about the medication(s) that you are currently taking. This also includes herbal supplements and vitamins. The reason that we are so thorough is because we want to do everything possible to see to it that your treatments have the best possible results.
After the treatment, we may give you some indications to follow for the next 24 hours. What’s nice is that since this is a non-surgical and minimally-invasive treatment, you are not going to have to worry about any set downtime. This makes it a great option for those in OKC with busy schedules.
What Types of Wrinkles Can BOTOX® Treat?
Dynamic wrinkles are the wrinkles that appear in your face because of the way your facial muscles move. These are the wrinkles that are formed when you make facial expressions. An example is the wrinkles that become prominent around your eyes when you smile. When you frown, there are vertical lines that appear between your eyebrows.
When you are young, dynamic wrinkles don’t matter. Your skin is so young that it springs back to its original position with no problem after you make a facial gesture. However, as you get older, dynamic wrinkles start to become etched into your skin. BOTOX® is designed to treat dynamic wrinkles.
On the flip side, there are static wrinkles. Static wrinkles may start out as dynamic wrinkles and then over time become etched into your face. These are the wrinkles that are present even when you are not making any facial expression. These are best treated with dermal fillers and other measures.
The reason why dynamic wrinkles become prominent with time is that as you get older, your body is making less elastin and collagen. These are the substances that are necessary in order to give your skin the ability to bounce back. Your skin is also making less hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a sugar that gives your skin its moisture. It’s a sugar that makes it possible for your skin to hold onto water. When you have less hyaluronic acid, your skin is less pliable.
An example of dynamic wrinkles that can worsen over time are laugh lines. When you are younger, you get these wrinkles on the sides of your eyes as you are laughing. When you are done laughing, they go away. With age, those laugh lines become etched into your skin.
Again, you should not expect much immediately after the treatment. The full effects of the treatment are not going to be seen for days to up to a week after your treatment date. As soon as you walk out of the clinic, you are going to be able to go right back to your everyday life. If you do not tell anyone that you have had these treatments done, it’s very likely that no one’s going to know.
In the days following the treatment, you are going to notice a change in the way your muscles react. You are going to notice that your skin is not producing dynamic wrinkles like it did before.
This is not a permanent treatment. The effects of the treatment may last for around four months. At the end of this time, you are going to start to notice that your muscles are starting to act in the same way they did before you had the treatment. You are also going to notice that your dynamic wrinkles are starting to appear again.
If you like the way you look after having the treatments, you can simply set up a time to come back into our clinic and we can give you some touch-up injections. It’s that simple!
Getting Started with BOTOX®
Are you interested in learning more about how BOTOX® can help you revitalize your appearance? If so, we warmly invite you to reach out to H-MD Medical Spa. We look forward to discussing this treatment with you, answering your questions, and working with you to help you get the revitalized and refreshed appearance you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your consultation at our office in Oklahoma City!