Natural Looking, Long-Lasting Facial Rejuvenation
With combination therapy using BOTOX® or Dysport and fillers of different characteristics, the face can be rejuvenated in a natural-looking and long-lasting way as an adjunct or an alternative to cosmetic surgery. There is no one-size-fits-all and Dr. Levin creates a customized treatment plan for each patient.
Our facial expression is a window into how we feel, but sometimes wrinkles and folds that create that expression are not representative of our true emotional state. Nobody wants to look tired or angry or upset, especially when not actually feeling that way. Loss of bone, fat, collagen, and elastin leads to volume loss and aged appearance with the formation of wrinkles, hollows, and folds. The delicate eye area is particularly vulnerable to showing signs of aging and a tired or concerned appearance from dark circles, puffiness, and wrinkles.
Cosmetic injections can help improve or eliminate facial wrinkles that result in a tired, angry, or concerned appearance. Today, neuromodulators like BOTOX® and Dysport are the most popular cosmetic procedures performed in the United States. Forehead wrinkles, wrinkles between the eyebrows, and laugh lines (crow’s feet) can be smoothed, and the eyebrows contoured for a more relaxed and rejuvenated appearance. With repetitive use, the lines soften and diminish over time. The results are subtle and natural. The effects of a single treatment usually last three to four months.
The individual goals of your BOTOX® and Dysport injections are discussed prior to the treatment. No anesthesia is necessary but ice may be used before, during, and after the procedure for comfort. A number of small injections are done with a very small needle into specific muscles.
The entire treatment takes approximately 10 minutes. The effects may start to become evident in 2-3 days, taking full effect within 5-7 days. Some patients choose to repeat their BOTOX® or Dysport treatment as soon as they notice the effects wearing off, in 3-4 months, others return in 4-6 months.
What is BOTOX®?
What is a BOTOX® or Dysport session like?
What is BOTOX® made Of?
How do Botox Injectables work?
What areas does BOTOX® and Dysport erase wrinkles?
How Much BOTOX® Do I Need?
BOTOX® is a neuromodulator or neurotoxin made from a neurotoxin called botulinum toxin. Three brands of Botulinum toxin are available: BOTOX®, Dysport, Xeomin and Jeuveau. They vary in their formulation. When injected into muscles, BOTOX® causes those muscles to relax temporarily. The wrinkles in the skin overlying those muscles are softened and improved.
BOTOX® was the original “lunchtime” procedure because it takes just 5-15 minutes to inject. Dr. Levin injects BOTOX® and Dysport with a very tiny needle. Because the needle is so fine, and the procedure so fast, patients generally don’t need any topical numbing cream. Patients equate the feeling of BOTOX® injections to that of a miniscule pinprick. After your session, you can go right back to work or resume your normal activities. There isn’t any recovery time, but patients are asked to keep their head elevated for 4-6 hours, avoid exercise for 24 hours, and not rub the injection site for 24 hours, as this can make the BOTOX® or Dysport migrate to an unintended muscle. The effects may start to become evident in 2-3 days, taking full effect within 2 weeks.
BOTOX® is a drug made from a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It’s the same toxin that causes botulism. BOTOX®, and other brands of a neurotoxin are highly purified and used in minute amounts. BOTOX® has been used in medicine safely for over 30 years.
BOTOX® blocks signal from the nerves to the muscles, inhibiting the ability of the muscle to contract. This causes the wrinkles to relax and soften. It is most often used on forehead lines, crow’s feet (lines around the eye) and frown lines.
BOTOX® and Dysport can be used on crow’s feet, 11 lines between the eyebrows, horizontal forehead lines, on the chin to smooth dimpling, to slim the face by softening the masseter muscle, as an eyewrinkle treatment and on lips to soften vertical lines.
That depends on the area(s) being treated and the patient. The average number of units needed to treat each area (between the brows, called the glabella, the forehead, and the wrinkles around the eyes, called crow’s feet) can range from 10 to 20 units. What determines the exact number of units is the size and muscle mass of the area being treated, the desired outcome and the patient’s individual response to treatment.
Dr. Levin usually starts with a more conservative treatment, as more can be added to achieve the best results for each person. Her philosophy towards Botox is like cooking: you start with the recipe but may need to tweak it to your individual taste. As an expert with many years of experience, she knows exactly what muscles to target and in what manner to achieve what looks most natural. That is why so many patients feel that their treatment with Dr. Levin looks natural while giving them the best result.
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