BOTOX ®

BOTOX ®

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BOTOX ® is one of the Chesterfield‘ area’s most requested procedures and is among the most commonly performed cosmetic treatments in the world. Why is the injectable so widespread and well known? Simply put, everybody ages. Also, just about everybody would like to see a little less evidence of their age in their face. BOTOX ® injections can help by smoothing out facial lines and wrinkles caused by muscular contractions. Specifically, the treatment can soften the creases between your eyes, horizontal forehead lines, and crow’s feet. It can also lift the corners of your mouth.

If you’re interested in trying BOTOX ®, you’re welcome to visit one of our offices for a consultation. We’ll walk you through the treatment process, make recommendations based on your unique face and skin conditions, and give you the information you need to make the decision best for you!

Using BOTOX®, our St. Louis-area team at West County Dermatology can address signs of aging that develop in many areas of the face. The FDA has approved the injectable for use on forehead lines, frown lines, and crow’s feet. It also has off-label applications to help raise a low eyebrow and downturned corners of the mouth, smooth out bunny and lip lines, reduce chin dimpling, and minimize the appearance of neck bands.

What is BOTOX®?

BOTOX® is a prescription cosmetic that targets wrinkles and other unwanted signs of aging. The product contains small amounts of purified botulinum toxin, a substance derived from the naturally occurring Clostridium botulinum. This chemical is capable of temporarily interfering with chemical messages released by the nerves, keeping signals to contract from reaching their intended muscles.

When muscles in small, carefully targeted areas stay at rest, the reduced activity creates a smoother, more refreshed-looking complexion.

How is BOTOX® Administered?

BOTOX® is injected directly into muscles that cause facial wrinkles to form. Prior to any injections, however, one of our medical professionals will first sit down with you to assess your skin condition and discuss your desired results. After making recommendations for placement and treatment, our team will begin by cleansing the skin.

Treatments are fast—typically taking about 45 minutes or less to administer—and well tolerated. Most patients require no anesthetic or recovery time and can return to their normal activities as soon as their session is over. We do offer topical anesthetics for those who are nervous about the discomfort of a slight prickling sensation and want to be sure their appointment goes as smoothly as possible.

What Does BOTOX® Address?

Each time you want to convey specific emotions, muscles pull and stretch your skin into your desired expression. These muscles also help with everyday habits, like squinting in bright sunlight, looking down at your phone, or sipping from a straw. While youthful skin easily returns to its original position once the muscles rest—with no evidence that it was ever out of shape—skin weakened by age can’t spring back the same way. That means wrinkles and lines increasingly appear each time certain muscles contract. BOTOX® treats these dynamic wrinkles, with FDA approval to smooth out crow’s feet, forehead lines, and vertical glabellar lines. Other signs of aging, such as nasolabial folds that develop due to collagen loss and gravity, are better addressed with dermal fillers.

What Should I Expect After a BOTOX® Session?

There is no downtime required following BOTOX® injections, but we advise that you not massage the area for a couple of days to allow it to settle properly. Some slight redness may be visible for several hours.

The muscle-relaxing effects will become visible after a few days, improving further in a week to 10 days. Our patients typically return for additional BOTOX® touch-up treatments every three to six months as the effects of their treatment gradually wear off and the pronounced lines and wrinkles begin to return.

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