If you watch TV, read the newspaper, surf the internet, or enjoy glossy magazines then you’ve probably heard about Botox. Perhaps you’ve considered it for yourself, a Botox brow lift or smooth a few fine lines here and there. You may have even visited some websites to see what all the hubbub is all about and asked yourself, “Is Botox right for me?”
If that’s the question on your mind, keep reading. We have answers.
Botox in a Nutshell
Botulinum Toxin Type A, Botox for short, is a purified protein that is derived from a specific bacterium. It is not a new idea; for more than a hundred years scientists have been studying it and developing ways to use it for a variety of medical purposes – not all aesthetic ones. While it can help smooth wrinkles, it is also FDA approved to treat migraine, underarm sweating, and muscle spasms from conditions like cerebral palsy.
When performed by a skilled, properly trained medical professional, Botox procedures are safe and have favorable outcomes.
What Botox can Help
Age is not necessarily the primary reason that people get Botox. A report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons shows that of the more than 7 million Botox procedures performed in the United States in 2018, 57% fell into the 40-54 age group while 23% were 55 and older. No real surprise there. The next group, coming in at 18% was 30-39 years old, but what may surprise you is that more than 100,000 Botox procedures performed in 2018 were on 20-29-year olds.
So, what exactly can Botox do? Plenty!
Wrinkles and Fine Lines
Botox is probably best known for treating fine lines and wrinkles. However, the earlier you address the issue, the better the outcome tends to be. While it’s rarely “too late,” you should discuss with your doctor realistic expectations.
It can help with fine lines, but it’s best if you can catch it early. The older you get, the deeper your wrinkles get. Your skin also tends to get thinner as you age, making anti-wrinkle treatments somewhat more complex. When you first begin to see those lines appear is when you should book a consultation with your doctor to talk about Botox.
Wrinkles that appear when you make facial expressions, such as smiling, then disappear when you are not making the expression are called dynamic rhytids. These are fairly easy to erase with Botox. However, once you have static rhytids, which means the wrinkles remain even when you are not smiling or making a facial expression, they are much more difficult to treat.
Facial Sculpting and Aesthetics
While a twenty-year-old might not need Botox for wrinkles, they may choose to enhance their appearance by correcting some of these common issues. If you have any of these conditions, then Botox might be right for you.
If you want a more symmetrical face, then Botox could be the answer. Does one side of your mouth raise higher when you talk, laugh, or smile? Is one eyebrow a little higher than the other? These conditions can often be remedied by Botox. It tends to last a long time too – often even longer than Botox for wrinkles.
When your jaw muscle is larger or more prominent than you would like, Botox can help. Many women who have a “strong jawline” or have a face shape that is more squared may use the procedure to soften the jawline, giving the face a more oval appearance.
If you have a “gummy smile,” that is, when you smile it exposes more of your upper teeth and gums than you’d like, Botox can often help. The procedure is usually quick and requires minimal injections to lower the upper lip so that the upper teeth and gums are not as visible.
When you Shouldn’t get Botox
Although Botox can help many people with a number of issues, there are some people who should not have the procedure. If you have any of these issues, then Botox may not be a good option. However, you should still talk to your doctor before you rule it out completely. He or she is more qualified to make those types of judgement calls and if Botox is not right for you, they can direct you to other, more suitable solutions.
- You should not get Botox if you have:
- Skin problems around the expression lines you want to treat
- Drooping eyelids
- Muscular issues such as pronounced weakness in the facial muscles you want to treat
- Severe allergies
- Severe skin reactions to injections
- Scars or very thick skin around the injection site
Are you Looking for Botox in Ashburn, Northern Virginia?
At NOVA Plastic Surgery our highly skilled and nationally recognized team of plastic surgeons, physicians’ assistants, and aestheticians are committed to helping you uncover your most attractive version of you. We are the premier provider of Botox in Ashburn, Northern Virginia and we have the ecstatic clients to prove it! Call today to schedule a consultation to discuss what we offer, and which procedures might be right for you.
