Botox® is the most well-known injectable, it is a neuromodulator and its extended family is Dysport® and Xeomin®. Neuromodulators consist of the botulinum toxin type A, along with some additional proteins. The botulinum toxin is the same bacteria that can cause botulism, but they are also found throughout the natural world. The fact that these bacteria cause botulism seems scary, but it’s nothing to fear. In the 1950s, scientists discovered that when minute amounts of the toxin were injected into a muscle the muscle stopped contracting for a partially substantial duration. Botox was a direct result of this investigation.
Botox works by blocking the nerve messenger, acetylcholine, from transmitting messages from the muscles to the brain. When Botox is administrated, the transmission in the brain to signal the release of acetylcholine is cut off and subsequently, the brain never receives the message to contract the muscle, henceforth the muscle remains relaxed for a brief period of time depending on the person’s metabolism and daily activities.
Suitable for:
Fine lines, dynamic wrinkles (deep lines, wrinkles of movement) especially on the upper third of the face.
Safety:
Finding a qualified provider with weighty experience is of utmost importance; Where to use and how to dose. We always discuss and review the risks, benefits, alternative treatments, and potential complications.
What to Expect:
Some mild discomfort with very tiny needles, which are not injected to a great depth, so most of our patients don’t feel the need for any topical numbing cream beforehand.
Results: diminished contractions, noticeably smoother skin with fewer lines and wrinkles. Consistent use of Botox® can reverse and prevent the ‘etched in’ wrinkles that form over time from repetitive folding and age-related skin thinning.
Course of treatment: Ideal results are typically achieved after a 2 week period. Starts wearing off after 3-4 months, depending on the dose and the group muscle that has been injected.
To summarize, the botox can be used for these areas:
Forehead
Suitable for: Horizontal lines and wrinkles
Lasts: 3-4 months
The forehead is the most common area to use Botox. In some people, a heavily wrinkled forehead can depict an angry, worried, or broody appearance, which many patients are not content with. Botox® relaxes the muscles in the area, which lessens the wrinkles. You can expect good results and a fresher, smoother, and more radiant facial complexion.
Dr. Broumandi also finds that injecting this area helps patients with frontal tension-type headaches.
Glabellar Region
Suitable for: Deep lines between the brows
Lasts: 3-4 months
Also known as 11 lines or frown lines, these etchings can occur as early as the twenties, and smoothing out the area with neuromodulator results in a more youthful, lively appearance. If a frozen look is something you are not happy with, we can use smaller amounts of neuromodulator to erase the lines while maintaining some movement. Keep in mind that as elasticity and collagen diminishes from the skin, the glabellar lines become more pronounced.
Crows feet
Suitable for: Fine lines around the eyes
Lasts: 2-3 months
The lines that form at the outer corners of the eyes are called crow’s feet. The lines that form from smiling, squinting, and laughing are equally responsible and sun exposure only makes them worse. With periorbital botox, you can notice a subtle, more alert, and wide-eyed appearance, especially when smiling and laughing. This procedure also prevents makeup from settling into wrinkles.
Eye Spasm
Lasts: 3 months
No matter if incessant twitching (also called blepharospasm) affects the upper, middle, or lower portion of the eyelid, Botox® can help. Considering the drug’s medical use, Botox® halts the twitching by relaxing the muscle and limiting spasms.
The Eybrows
Suitable for: Saggy & asymmetrical brows
Lasts: 3-4 months
Also called Botox brow lift involves injecting the side portion of the eyebrows to give a lifted, more awake appearance while negating the look of droopy brows. Often, small amounts of Botox® are injected into the forehead and between the brows to create a more harmonious look and smoothness. While the technique works for those with minimal sagging, it’s important to note that those with excessive sagging and hooding of the upper lids may not see dramatic results compared to surgical intervention.
Bunny lines
Suitable for: the lines on the side of the nose
Lasts: 3 months
Base of the nose:
Suitable for: a droopy nose tip
Lasts: 3-4 months
When cartilage and support start to dwindle away from the tip of the nose, the tendency is for it to start to dropping forward, which in turn starts to become more evident when smiling. Small amount of Botox can lift the tip of the nose.
Upper lip area
Suitable for: gummy smile
Lasts: 3-4 months
If you show too much gum when you smile because the upper lip rests too high on the gums, a little bit of Botox® can make a big difference. Dr. Broumandi injects a couple of units of Botox® carefully in the correct area, which can reduce the appearance of the gums when smiling, creating an overall sexier smile.
Chin
Suitable for: A Pebbled, Bumpy, or Brockley chin
Lasts: 4-6 months
Also called Chin tox. When aging, the chin has a tendency to fold and forms dimples and uneven texture. Many people notice wrinkling and asymmetry in the chin when they smile, frown, or even when speaking. One of the easiest and quickest ways to correct a dimpled chin is with neurotoxins.
The lips
Suitable for: The lower corners of the lips & the positioning of the upper lip
Lasts: 3 months
Known as the signature lip flip, Botox can roll the upper lip out. Also as the mouth turns down and lines form in the surrounding areas, the mouth, as a whole, can give way to an upset or angry appearance. Botox® is used in DAO muscle (the frown muscle of the mouth) often in combination with lip filler will add shape, volume, and symmetry.
The palms of the hands and soles of the feet
Suitable for: Wet, sweaty hands & feet
Lasts: 6 months
Just as Botox® works to counteract super sweaty armpits, it works wonders for clammy hands that over-perspire, and feet can transform from dry to slippery and sweaty in a matter of minutes.
The scalp
Suitable for: Sweaty and/or oily scalps
Lasts: 3 months
Any area of the body that has excessive sweating, including the scalp, responds nicely to Botox®. 50 percent or more reduction in sweating. Similarly, the injections temporarily limit oil production for less greasiness.
Armpits
Suitable for: Sweaty under arms
Lasts: 3 to 5 months
Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) varies from genetics to stress to exercise. Botox® blocks the ACH neurotransmitters in the sweat glands, therefore stopping the release of excess sweat.
The Jaw
Suitable for: Teeth clenching & tightness from TMJ; a bulky jawline
If you are grinding your teeth (bruxism) at night or during the day, whether you have a nightguard or not, neuromodulators can help. Dr. Broumandi has a lot of experience checking the joint and the muscle and she has significantly decreased tooth grinding and TMJ (temporomandibular joint) through Botox® application to this area. By Injecting the jawline botox to alleviate the pain she has also noticed a slimmer, more heart-shaped face in women as the jaw muscles relax.
Signs and symptoms of TMJ Disorder: Headaches. Facial Pain. Otalgia (pain in the ears). tinnitus (ringing ears). Ear Congestion. TMJ pain. TMJ noise (clicking, popping, or cracking). limited opening or limited range of motion of the jaw.
Head
Suitable for: Migraines /tension headaches
Lasts: 3-4 months
Known as Therapeutic Botox™: One of the FDA-approved uses of Botox® is to treat chronic migraine headaches. Each treatment involves a series of injections to targeted areas of the head and neck. Botox is commonly used for the treatment of tension-type headaches and migraine headaches. Dr. Diana Broumandi finds that Botox has greatly enhanced the efficacy for patients with chronic tension-type headaches and facial pain secondary to bruxism or parafunction.
The calves
Suitable for: Bulky Calves
Lasts: 6 months
It is administered where the muscle is most prominent, then calming and reducing it. The more frequent one receives this treatment, the more fruitful the results, although most patients notice a change after one treatment. Ardent and consistent exercisers may require more frequent treatment.
The Neck
Suitable for: Necklines or neckbands
Lasts:4-6 months
Known as the “Nefertiti neck lift,” neuromodulators are often injected into the platysmal bands (i.e. muscles that become more prominent with age and display as vertical lines and bands on the neck) to soften signs of aging and tighten the skin. When we inject these bands with Botox®, it relaxes them and makes them look less prominent and symmetrical to the rest of the face. Relaxing the muscles in the neck not only makes them less visible, but it also has a relaxing effect on the jawline.
The Decolletage
Suitable for: Chest wrinkles
Lasts: 3-4 months
Like the hands and the neck, the chest is a key indicator of one’s age. Years of sun damage due to too much exposure without proper protection can cause the skin on the decollete to become wrinkled and brittle. By relaxing the muscles in the chest, we get the result of smoother, firmer, and more youthful skin.
Disclaimer
Results may vary from person to person.