It’s a well-known fact that botulinum toxin can help minimize the signs of aging by softening the features of the face, erasing all traces of that tired appearance caused by wrinkles and sagging muscles. The goal is a natural-looking, harmonious result without the facial features seeming rigid or depersonalized.
Botulimum toxin: originally a therapeutic agent
For more than 30 years, botulinum toxin (botulinum neurotoxin type A) has been used in medicine. Botulinum toxin was first used to alleviate muscle spasms in the face and neck. How? By blocking the nerve impulses responsible for the muscle contractions.
Over the past 20+ years, botulinum toxin has also been used in cosmetic medicine to reduce the muscle contractions that cause wrinkles. Very safe and effective, botulinum toxin injections have become a common non-surgical procedure used by plastic surgeons to treat many different areas of the face.
Botulinum toxin injections for facial rejuvenation: areas that can be treated
Botulinum toxin is used on all parts of the face to restore harmony and a youthful appearance. Here are a few examples:
Botulinum toxin for the forehead: used to soften frown lines (furrowed brow) and wrinkles on the forehead caused by repeatedly raising the eyebrows.
Botulinum toxin for the mouth: helps eliminate sagging at the corners of the mouth by weakening the muscles that pull them downward.
Botulinum toxin for the lips: wrinkles around the lips can be softened and a “gummy” smile (when too much of the upper gums show) can be corrected. Botulinum toxin is injected in the nasal wings and in the upper lip to reduce its mobility. However, for plumper lips, hyaluronic acid injections are the treatment of choice.
Botulinum toxin for the nose: it’s possible to tone down the horizontal wrinkles at the bridge of the nose by injecting botulinum toxin in the procerus muscle.
Botulinum toxin for crow’s feet: Botulinum toxin is injected in the orbicularis oculi muscles to plump up the skin for a rested, refreshed appearance.
Botulinum toxin for the chin: very effective at reducing the “cottage cheese” depressions and wrinkles around the chin area.
Botulinum toxin for the neck: it’s easy to rejuvenate the appearance of the neck by diminishing the muscle contractions responsible for the wrinkles commonly referred to as “turkey neck.”
It is common practice to combine botulinum toxin injections with filling agents, such as hyaluronic acid, when a deeper wrinkle needs to be smoothed out. Regardless of your situation, the physician will make a precise evaluation of your needs and will give you an overview of the most appropriate treatments.
How long is the procedure?
A round of botulinum toxin injections doesn’t take much time at all. Often as little as 15 minutes. The effects of the treatment are generally visible within 72 hours, and optimal results are achieved usually between 7 and 14 days afterwards. The visible effects will last from four to six months, so two treatments per year are recommended to ensure continuity.
Botulinum toxin for the face: would you like a rejuvenating treatment?
When you choose Dr. Mario F. Bernier’s Aesthetic Surgery and Medicine Clinic, you can expect a warm welcome and highly professional service. It would be our pleasure to advise you on the best possible treatments to help you naturally revitalize the appearance of your face. We also use botulinum toxin for therapeutic purposes. Contact us today to learn more about the options that are available to you at our clinic.