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Why Sculpt with Botox?
Dr. Rosenthal wishes to
balance the upper facial muscles that cause deep
lines, wrinkles and bulges making you look tired
or angry. Dynamic wrinkles are caused by
contractions of the delicate underlying facial
muscles every time you smile, laugh or frown.
The more emotion you show, the deeper these
wrinkles and lines are likely to be. A tug of
war between the muscles of face is ongoing and
leaves the face in a constant state of tension
and imbalance. The large forehead muscles create
the horizontal lines and are pulling against the
eyebrow and lid muscles. The harder they all tug
the more lines and wrinkles you see. Muscles on
the inside of each eyebrow cause additional
lines and folds. When these muscle contract they
drag the brows downward making the face seem
angry. Likewise the muscles next to the outer
lids pull the outer brow tail down accentuating
crow’s feet.
Aging
Aging is a gradual process of volume loss and
skin alteration. As part of the normal aging
process, we find our muscles, fat and bones of
the face lose fullness and contour. The
overlying skin begins to suffer a loss of
firmness and elasticity. The eyebrows droop and
the skin of the upper lids become excessive,
causing the forehead muscle to elevate upward –
resulting in deep wrinkles and furrows. Some of
the facial lines are from excessive or long-term
animation of the face. Botox can balance the
pull of the facial muscle and often elevate the
outer portion of the brows.
HOW ARE THE MUSCLES BALANCED?
This is accomplished by Botox
sculpting, which places tiny amounts of Botox in
selective muscles of the upper face to allow a
harmonious balance and relaxation to occur.
Excessive frown lines and deeper wrinkles the
face are softened and replaced by a lovely and
natural appearance. Dr. Rosenthal may take a bit
longer to produce this effect, but the benefits
of Botox sculpting are well worth it.
CREATING BALANCE & HARMONY:
The benefit of Botox is to
weaken the muscle pull of these opposing groups.
We want you to animate, but in a softer manner.
Deeply ingrained lines of the facial skin will
not be erased by Botox injections. Only those
lines caused by muscular activity will be
improved or softened to a great degree. Botox
injections improve the appearance of worry
lines, frown lines, laugh lines, crow’s feet and
other dynamic wrinkles. Imagine a rope pulled
upon by 6 large individuals on one side and 4 on
the other. Remove 2 from the larger side and you
balance the force and tension of the rope
tugging. The object is not to remove motion from
all of the upper face muscles. Having motion in
these muscles is attractive and natural; hence,
selective injection of groups of muscles is the
key to a balanced, attractive face.
Dr. Rosenthal believes that the benefit of Botox
is to produce a calm, rested and pretty upper
face.
Dynamic wrinkles are caused by contractions of
the delicate underlying facial muscles every
time you smile, laugh or frown. The more emotion
you show, the deeper these wrinkles and lines
are likely to be.
Deep ingrained lines of the face will not be
affected by Botox injections only those lines
caused by muscular activity will be improved or
softened.
The procedure known as cosmetic denervation uses
Botox injections to improve the appearance of
worry lines, frown lines, laugh lines, crow’s
feet and other dynamic wrinkles.
WHAT IS BOTOX THERAPY?
Botox is a purified botulinum toxin and is used
to soften facial lines and wrinkles. Botox works
well for forehead lines, crow’s feet, and frown
lines. Botox is injected into the muscle in
these areas and works by weakening the muscle,
which in turn lessens the lines of facial
expression. Botox relaxes the muscles so they do
not contract fully. Botox blocks impulses from
the nerve to the tiny facial muscles that are
related to expression lines.
ARE BOTOX TREATMENTS SAFE?
Botox injections have been used safely and
effectively for over ten years to treat many
ophthalmological and neurological disorders.
Each year thousands of patients receive Botox
treatments for a variety of conditions and it is
quickly becoming a popular treatment for
reversing the visible signs of aging. Botox
treatments for wrinkles and signs of aging have
not specifically been approved by the FDA. It is
considered an “off the shelf use” of this
product and has been used by physicians for this
purpose.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT LIKE?
Cosmetic enervation with Botox is a simple and
relatively safe procedure. Using a tiny needle,
a very small amount of Botox is injected into
several locations on the face. Because the
needle is so fine and only a small amount of
liquid is used, the pain associated with the
injections is minimal. Using a topical
anesthetic (Emma cream) will further diminish
your discomfort. Most patients compare the
sensation to a bug bite. You can resume normal
activities immediately but exercise is not
recommended for 4-6 hours. You can drive
yourself home. Some patients experience a slight
bruising at the injection site. This can be
covered with make-up. The treated areas will
take 5 to 14 days to soften; treatment will last
3 to 6 months.
PRECAUTIONS TO BE FOLLOWED
If any of the following apply to you, you should
not receive Botox injections:
- If you have myasthenia gravis
- If you have neuromuscular disease such as
muscular sclerosis
- If you have an allergy to human albumin (eggs
)or to botulinum toxin
- If you are pregnant or breast feeding
- If you have taken aspirin, Advil or
anti-inflammatory medication in the last
two weeks.
Who Should Not Have Botox?
- If you have myasthenia gravis
- If you have neuromuscular disease such as
muscular sclerosis
- If you have an allergy to albumin (eggs) or
have had a reaction to
Botulinum toxin in the past
- If you are pregnant or breast feeding
WHAT TO DO AFTER BOTOX INJECTIONS
Do not lie down for 4 hours after the treatment
Do not massage the treated muscles for 4 hours,
this could possibly cause the Botox to spread to
the muscles around the eyes.
Exercise the muscles injected by contracting
them 2-3 times every 15 minutes for 1 hour after
the treatment, this helps the Botox attaches
better to active muscles.
How
long does it last & How often can I receive
Botox?
The facial muscle activity varies on both sides
of the face causing an imbalance of the facial
features and uneven lines and folds of the upper
face. The muscles between the brows are very
strong and return first after the treatments. In
order to maintain a balance to these muscles, it
is recommended that the Botox sculpting is done
every 3-4 months for the first year. This will
allow the facial muscles that pull on the skin
to weaken, resulting in fewer lines and
wrinkles. During the year that the muscles are
not as strong, the body gets used to not
frowning or pulling on the skin. This learning
period then allows the muscles to be less active
after approximately 1 year. The Botox may wear
off at the same interval of 3-4 months, but the
muscle action may be less. With time, some
patients will require less frequent treatments
as they break the habit of contracting frown
lines and other muscles of facial expression.
The muscles themselves may weaken from lack of
use.
Botox usually starts to work at 24-36 hours but
the full effect may take up to 7-14 days.
REPEAT BOTOX INJECTIONS
Injections can be repeated every 3 to 6 months.
With time some patients will require less
frequent treatments as they break the habit of
contracting frown lines and other muscles of
facial expression. The muscles themselves may
weaken from lack of use.
Sometimes an injection does not have sufficient
effect and a touch-up is necessary. The Botox
effect may take 36 hours to 14 days. Repeat
injections are necessary every 3-6 months or
sooner in some individuals.
Sometimes the Botox injection is not effective
due to the production of antibodies or
individual resistance to Botox. Boxtox effect
may also decrease in its affectivity over time.
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
Temporary bruising is the most common side
effect. Sometimes an injection does not have
sufficient effect and a touch-up is necessary.
Occasionally, individuals may be resistant to
the Botox injection. Rarely, drooping of the
eyebrow or eyelid can occur. Lasting for up to
six months, this drooping is may be reversible
with an eye drop medication.
Extremely rare double vision has been reported.
In some cases, Botox can migrate and cause a
temporary weakness of nearby muscles and
asymmetry of the face. The risk of any side
effect depends on the muscles injected. Dr.
Rosenthal will discuss this with you in length
before your treatment. Because the effects of
Botox are usually reversible, most side effects
are temporary, lasting a few weeks to months.
HOW ELSE MIGHT I IMPROVE MY
FACIAL APPEARANCE?
Our bodies are in a constant flux. Gravity,
environment, diet, exercise and genetics effect
how we look.
Start with good nutrition and exercise to
nurture our skin and bodies health. The sun and
environment are bombarding our skin with rays
during the night and day. Skin care products are
personalized for your particular needs. Relaxing
facials not only improve circulation and remove
the outer thick and uneven layer of our skin,
but allow you to take a calming sigh in this
hectic world.
We look forward to assisting you and will be
glad to answer any questions relating to Botox
injections.
Jeffrey S. Rosenthal, M.D.
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