As we enter the holiday season, our memories of last year’s parties and family celebrations continue to linger each time we look back at photographs. For most of us, our eyes go directly to our tell-tale signs of aging. We see the fine lines and wrinkles that are beginning to disfigure our natural, youthful beauty. This year, Photoshopping your memories won’t be necessary because while getting older is inevitable, aging is avoidable!
Wrinkles?! Rhytids, more commonly known as “wrinkles,” initially begin to appear when most of us are in our 20s and 30s. Through the years, they progress from fine lines to deeper crevices. Rhytids have multiple causes, but many are a result of animation, or facial expressions, that we consciously or unconsciously make throughout the day and even while sleeping at night. There are two types of rhytids:
1. Dynamic 2. Static
Dynamic rhytids are only visible when a facial expression is made, whereas static are present even when all facial muscles are at rest. Over time, dynamic expressions lead to static rhytids. The most common areas patients will notice are in the frontalis, or horizontal forehead lines; the glabellar complex, or frown lines; and the lateral canthus, or crow’s feet.
All of these wrinkles are the result of muscular contraction with the associated facial expression-raising the eyebrows, frowning or concentrating and smiling or squinting.
Is there a wrinkle cure? BOTOX Cosmetic is an FDA-approved treatment to improve the appearance of lines in the forehead, frown lines and crow’s feet. While many people have the misconception that BOTOX Cosmetic is a harmful toxin, the truth is BOTOX is one of the most extensively studied medical aesthetic treatments. It is approved for cosmetic use in 78 countries, and has been studied in more than 400 scientific and medical journals.
BOTOX Cosmetic is derived from Clostridium botulinum, a natural source that has been purified and refined. While other forms of botulinum toxin products are available for aesthetic treatment, potency and approved doses vary between each. Since 2002, over 10.9 million vials of BOTOX Cosmetic have been sold in just the United States, making BOTOX Cosmetic the No. 1 product of its kind in the world.
BOTOX can be injected into the specific muscle and muscle groups that are responsible for the dynamic contractions that cause the fine lines and wrinkles. The treatment provides a temporary relaxation of the local area without traveling elsewhere in the body. BOTOX typically lasts three to four months, and then can be reinjected for repeated results. Results will begin to be noticeable within a couple days, but the full effect can take up to 10 days. Over time, BOTOX will help smooth even the static wrinkles.
Does it hurt? BOTOX is injected using a very tiny needle, smaller than what is used when having blood drawn at your doctor’s office. Some patients describe the sensation as a pinch, while others report feeling nothing at all. For patients concerned about discomfort, your provider should have a topical anesthetic cream available to numb the area prior to injection.
BOTOX is typically the first treatment suggested in aesthetic medicine for patients hoping to regain a smooth, youthful appearance. Your certified specialist should discuss your concerns and perform a facial analysis. It is very important to disclose any previous facial surgeries, injuries, nerve-related illnesses and current medications. The actual procedure is very quick, completed in as little as seconds or minutes. There is no downtime, and you can return to everyday activity immediately.
BOTOX is typically priced by the “unit,” which is the measurement of the amount of medication used. When considering the cost, it not only includes the price of the product, but more importantly, the skill of your provider. Be wary of “cheap” BOTOX: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
BOTOX is a technique-sensitive treatment. The understanding of facial anatomy is crucial in order to receive a smooth result while still retaining facial expressions. It is important to find a certified specialist who will take the time to listen and then develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. In the right hands, your BOTOX experience will result in a natural, relaxed, more youthful appearance that is still you!
Ashley Wilson, MSN, CRNA, is co-owner and the advanced practice nurse of Coastal Spa MD. She is a certified Allergan Botox Cosmetic specialist, and she holds advanced certifications in Botulinum Toxin A injections and facial aesthetics and contouring. For more information on how BOTOX Cosmetic can give you the gift of youth this holiday season, call Coastal Spa MD at 361-336-6464 or visit www.coastalspamd.com.
Photos courtesy of Coastal Spa MD