BOTOX® Cosmetic
Some of the earliest signs of aging develop around our eyes, creating a haggard or angry appearance that doesn’t communicate how we actually feel. These wrinkles include crow’s feet and worry lines, along with horizontal forehead wrinkles. A BOTOX® or Dysport® treatment at our Denver facial plastic surgery practice softens these lines to give patients from Parker, Castle Rock, Lone Tree, and Greenwood Village a refreshed, more youthful look.
How Does BOTOX Work?
Since it was first approved by the FDA in 2002 to treat worry lines between the eyes, BOTOX has become the world’s most popular cosmetic treatment. BOTOX works by relaxing muscles, and it is now used for a range of cosmetic conditions besides minimizing wrinkles.
What’s the Difference Between BOTOX and Dysport?
BOTOX and Dysport are very similar. Both are types of neurotoxins that block muscle contractions to minimize fine lines, and all are considered very safe and effective anti-wrinkle treatments. The primary differences involve how long it takes for the initial results to appear and how long the results last. The cost of the different treatments varies as well.
Dr. Ladner discusses the options with his patients and together they decide which treatment works best for them.
What’s the Difference Between BOTOX and Filler Injections?
Our Denver patients often ask if they need BOTOX or dermal filler injections to reduce their wrinkles. Both are often the answer because injectable procedures treat different types of wrinkles. People often assume BOTOX and dermal fillers such as JUVÉDERM® and Restylane® are the same, but the way they work differs significantly.
BOTOX and Dysport reduce the appearance of expression lines—wrinkles that develop when we squint, frown, look surprised, or change our expressions in other ways. These are called dynamic wrinkles. Treatments such as BOTOX work by relaxing the tiny facial muscles used to make these expressions, resulting in smoother skin.
Fillers, on the other hand, are gels of varying consistencies that replenish volume lost as part of the aging process. They are especially useful in the cheeks, around the mouth, and for lip augmentation.
Who Is a Good Candidate for BOTOX?
Virtually all men and women concerned about wrinkles making them look older than they feel can benefit from BOTOX or Dysport injections. The injectables are approved by the FDA for use in adults ages 18 to 65. Even though BOTOX is most often used to minimize wrinkles that have already developed, many younger patients choose to get treatments to delay the development of lines and wrinkles. Often called “preventative BOTOX,” getting injections in your 20s limits the muscle movements that lead to wrinkles. Dysport can also be used as a preventative injectable.
“Dr. Ladner and his staff are so amazing! I received a “brow lift” using Botox from Dr. Ladner’s nurse injector. She educated me on Botox and how it works with the face muscles. I had an amazing result and will definitely be back.”
Jessica
Combining Treatments
Combining BOTOX injections with other cosmetic treatments is an option for patients who want comprehensive facial rejuvenation. A “liquid facelift,” for example, combines BOTOX with dermal filler injections to minimize dynamic wrinkles such as crow’s feet and restore volume to areas such as the cheeks, lips, and under the eyes. A treatment plan executed over the course of several months or years can combine periodic BOTOX injections with procedures such as laser skin resurfacing to maintain your youthful-looking skin.
How Long Does BOTOX Cosmetic Last?
The results of BOTOX generally last for 3 to 4 months. Each patient’s experience is different, of course, and the specific duration may be a bit longer or shorter. People getting BOTOX for the first time often notice that results don’t last as long initially but persist longer as they get additional maintenance treatments.
Can BOTOX Treat Other Conditions?
Yes, BOTOX is approved by the FDA to treat multiple cosmetic and medical conditions. Some of the most common uses for BOTOX besides minimizing wrinkles are for:
- Hyperhidrosis (excessive underarm sweat)
- Migraine headaches
- Slimming the jawline
- Gummy smiles
You can discuss with Dr. Ladner getting BOTOX treatments for any of these conditions at our practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best age to start BOTOX?
There isn’t a specific “best age” to start getting BOTOX injections. Most patients considering BOTOX for the first time are beginning to notice lines developing around their eyes or on their forehead, which usually occurs in their early 30s.
Can BOTOX prevent new wrinkles from forming?
“Preventative” BOTOX can postpone the onset of wrinkles. Patients in their mid-to-late 20s get BOTOX injections to relax muscles used when changing expressions, delaying the development of dynamic wrinkles.
Does BOTOX make you look older after it wears off?
Actually, the opposite is true. Because BOTOX works by limiting the movement of facial muscles that contribute to wrinkle development, you’ll have fewer wrinkles even after BOTOX wears off than you would have if you didn’t get BOTOX injections.
Is BOTOX or fillers better?
Because BOTOX and fillers treat different types of wrinkles, both can be effective for you.
What’s a BOTOX lip flip and how is it different than lip fillers?
Patients who want the appearance of fuller upper lips can choose either lip augmentation with lip fillers or a lip flip with BOTOX. Lip fillers add volume to the lips, while BOTOX injections relax the muscle just above the lip, causing it to “flip” slightly. This creates the appearance of fuller lips without adding volume.
Meet With Dr. Ladner
Dr. Ladner’s expertise as an injector includes training providers in other practices throughout the Rocky Mountain region on the safe and effective injection methods for filler and neuromodulators as a trainer for Galderma, the company that makes Dysport. You can request a consultation to meet with him personally or call our office at (303) 253-7686 to schedule an appointment.