Aesthetic Medicine
Neuromodulators/Wrinkle Relaxers
Neuromodulators/Wrinkle Relaxers
This is clearly the most common reason someone is coming for treatment in my office. Treating the forehead, eye area and the “elevens” are the most often treated areas of the group but there are many other aesthetic options. Chin treatment can help reduce or eliminate the dimpled or “pebbly” appearance.
Neuromodulators have been around for decades. Initially they were used for more medical reasons rather than for cosmetics. Treatments included spasticity, blepharospasm (eye twitching), hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating of the palms and armpits) and for pain in the neck and jaw (bruxism).
Botox was the first drug to use botulinum toxin (Botox). Other products now include abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport), rimabotulinumtoxinB (Myobloc) and incobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin).
These products now help give a well-rested more youthful look for men and women of many ages. After the age of 35 though static lines often begin to become an issue for many of us. It is not just that well rested look that is the goal. A static line is seen at rest with no facial expression. As we age, this often becomes deeper and more noticeable. Consistent treatments 3-4 times a year will greatly reduce their appearance and make you look more like the “you” that you want to see.
Platysma Bands
Platysma bands that often become more prominent as we age and tighten up the neckline in what is called the Nefertiti Lift.
Lip Flip
Lip Flip involves small injections into the orbicularis oris muscle around the lip. This helps to turn up the lip and give it a fuller appearance. This can be used when someone is not yet ready to “fill” their lips. It can be helpful to compliment a dermal filler treatment of the lips and it can also help keep a past filler treatment looking good as it is wearing off.
Gummy Smile
Gummy smile is another treatment that can make someone feel and look better about their smile. This treatment is for people that when they smile their lips rise high and expose not only the top of the teeth but the gums as well.
Smoker’s lines or fine age lines around the lip can also be smoothed.
Common Misconceptions
Does Botox make you look older when it wears off?
From a medical point of view, once the effects of Botox wear off, your face will NOT look older. Botox injections help you get rid of some of the unwanted wrinkles around the eyes, forehead, lips and can smooth the neck. Once Botox wears off, your muscles will start working as they did before the treatment. Wrinkles will begin to reappear again but do not become worse after the treatment.
One thing is certain though and that is you will miss the smoother look.
Will Botox make me look “frozen” and what will my friends and family think?
How much Botox used will determine how it will have its effect. Treatment can range from very mild with subtle results to a tighter appearance. How you want to look will be discussed in a detailed consultation.
Are Botox injections painful?
Dr. Strell utilizes a diabetic needle, which is a very small needle that greatly minimizes, most of the discomfort of the procedure. That being said, there can always be some discomfort, but it is not a painful procedure.
Will Botox affect my body in other areas not injected?
Botox will work specifically on the muscles injected and when used in the small volumes for these treatments will not spread to other areas.