Botox Cosmetic took the world by storm over 20 years ago and it is being used millions of times every year in the U.S. What started as a cosmetic injection to reduce the appearance of frown lines on the brow has erupted into a wide assortment of cosmetic treatments to achieve a more youthful or attractive appearance. Botox is no longer just an anti-aging cosmetic treatment for dynamic wrinkles and lines – many people of all ages and genders can be excellent candidates for Botox treatments.
How Does Botox Work?
Botox is a brand name for a highly purified form of botulinum toxin A, a neurotoxin found in the bacteria clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin A or BTX-A is a neuromodulator, which means it impacts nerve signals. When injected into a muscle, Botox works by blocking nerve impulses sent to the muscle that causes it to contract. The neurotoxin can bind to the nerve receptors for 3-4 months, relaxing the muscle movement.
Botox was first approved for medical treatment for eye muscle spasms. The neuromodulator effects relax the spastic eye muscles for relief of certain eye conditions. It was during these eye spasm treatments that a revolutionary side effect was noticed. Some patients who had glabellar lines or “11s” between their eyebrows no longer had these frown lines after their Botox injections. The relaxation of the glabellar muscles for eye spasms also smoothed the frown lines, which lead to further studies on the cosmetic benefits of Botox.
What Are the Types of Botox Treatments?
Botox injections are a quick and safe option for many different types of treatments. Even children have been safely treated with Botox for certain medical conditions such as cerebral palsy. The injections only take 15-20 minutes, and no downtime is needed after the treatment, making it an ideal cosmetic procedure for many people. You may be surprised at how many different ways Botox treatment can be used for patients from all walks of life.
Frown and Worry Lines
The first FDA approval for Botox was for frown lines on the forehead. Both the glabellar lines between the eyebrows and the horizontal worry lines across the forehead can be minimized with Botox injections. This treatment can not only make the person look more youthful, but it can also reduce a grumpy or angry appearance.
Crow’s Feet
Botox is also FDA approved for the treatment of crow’s feet, the crinkle wrinkles on the outside of the eyes. These eye smile lines are a common indicator of aging skin – Botox can relax the muscles that cause the lines to appear, creating a more youthful eye appearance.
Lip and Smile Enhancement
Botox is excellent for improving the appearance of the lips and smile. For those with a “gummy smile,” Botox can relax the upper lip, covering more of the gums when they smile. Another treatment to enhance the mouth is the Botox lip flip. This also targets the upper lip, relaxing the muscle that pulls the lip down. This can “flip” the upper lip outward, showing more of the pink skin to make it appear fuller and more attractive.
Jaw and Face Slimming (Masseter Reduction)
The masseter or large jaw muscles have a major impact on the shape of the face. Heavier or large masseter muscles create a wider jawline that makes the facial shape round or square. This can lead to a more masculine appearance, which some people want to change. Botox injections can be used for masseter reduction to slim and taper the jaw. The relaxation effect causes the muscles to shrink over time for a more feminine or slimmer jaw appearance.
Neck Rejuvenation
The lines and cords on the neck become more pronounced with age. The neck can be a dead giveaway of your age as the vertical cords become more pronounced and neck lines appear. Botox injections can relax the platysma or neck muscles that create the bands or cords in the neck, and also minimize the appearance of horizontal lines.
Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating)
Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating can be an embarrassing problem. If you have issues with uncontrollable sweating, Botox injections may be right for you. Botox injections can limit the production of underarm sweat glands and offer relief for those who have hyperhidrosis.
Brow Lift (Non-Surgical)
If your eyebrows are beginning to droop as the skin loses elasticity, it can make your eyes look smaller, tired and older. Botox treatment can give the eyebrows a slight lift without the need for plastic surgery. The relaxation effect can be targeted to the muscles that pull down the outer eyebrow. As the muscles relax, the eyebrows raise slightly to give the eyes and brow a more youthful, alert appearance.
Migraines
Did you know that Botox injections are used as an effective migraine headache treatment? Botox injections can be a game changer for those who suffer from chronic headaches or migraines, reducing the frequency of these painful episodes.
Wrinkle Prevention
More and more individuals are using Botox as a preventive wrinkle treatment. Instead of waiting for lines and wrinkles to form from creases in the skin as facial muscles move, Botox can be used to limit those movements. “Mini or micro” Botox injections are becoming popular for those in their late twenties or early thirties that want to slow the aging process and prevent frown lines, worry lines and crow’s feet.
Is Botox Right for You?
Botox can be an excellent option for many individuals who want to look and feel their best. The treatment only takes a brief office visit and there are minimal to no side effects. The most common effects reported from Botox besides the cosmetic and medical benefits are related to the injections – some people may have slight swelling, itching, redness or tenderness at the injection points.
If you want to explore Botox treatment for cosmetic benefits, you want to choose a highly experienced injector for your procedure. At Arcadia Wellness Center, we have some of the best cosmetic injectors in Phoenix – we have trained many of the cosmetic professionals in the area on the best practices for cosmetic injectables such as Botox. We understand the best dosages and precision placement to achieve the desired results for our patients.
Botox Cosmetic Treatment in Phoenix, AZ
For those who are good candidates for Botox cosmetic treatment, we welcome you to visit us at Arcadia Wellness Center. We have been providing Botox injections for our patients for many years with excellent outcomes. If you are interested in reducing wrinkles such as frown lines, worry lines or crow’s feet, Botox is a wonderful option. We also use Botox for lip flips, gummy smiles, bunny lines, neck cords and many other cosmetic alterations.
Botox effects last for 3-4 months. Most patients will notice the muscles beginning to contract again after a few months, at which time Botox injections can be repeated to maintain the desired effects. Many of our patients of various ages receive Botox treatments a few times a year to achieve their aesthetic goals.
If you are interested in learning more about Botox treatments and you live in the greater Phoenix, AZ area, contact us at Arcadia Wellness Center. We can schedule an informative Botox consultation at our clinic to determine if you are a good candidate for this amazing cosmetic treatment.
