Crow’s feet, vertical lines between the eyebrows, and forehead furrows can be concerns for both men and women who are troubled about signs of aging. Fortunately, instead of undergoing invasive plastic surgery procedures, patients in the Portland, OR area can visit the Thrive Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Center. Here they learn about injectable services that reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face. One popular option for many patients is Botox Cosmetic®.
How Botox neuromodulator works
Botox Cosmetic® is made of botulinum toxin type A, a purified protein which reduces muscle contractions. Repeated facial expressions – pursing the lips, frowning, squinting, wrinkling the nose – are the underlying cause of dynamic wrinkles. Muscles that create those expression pull skin into creases and folds. As skin ages and as a result of sun damage, it contains less collagen and elastin. Without that natural elasticity, skin can no longer recover from muscular activity, and lines become etched in.
The muscles in which Botox Cosmetic® is administered lose the ability to tighten as they once did. That, in turn, softens existing lines in these specific areas and impedes the development of new or deeper lines. Botox Cosmetic® is injected into areas such as around the eyes, between the eyebrows, and on the forehead to smooth lines and improve the overall texture of the skin. The technique can also improve “bunny lines” on the nose, lines that radiate from lips, and other dynamic wrinkles.
Do Portland, OR patients need Botox Cosmetic® or dermal fillers?
You may have heard of dermal fillers and are wondering if they can be a Botox alternative. Botox Cosmetic® works differently from dermal fillers such as Juvéderm and Radiesse. Botox Cosmetic® works by addressing the activity of underlying muscles. Dermal fillers are made of hyaluronic acid and are injected into static wrinkles – those caused by the sagging of lax skin. Dermal fillers add immediate volume directly to lines, wrinkles, and folds on the face.
Although Botox neuromodulator and dermal fillers serve different purposes, they can be used in combination for amazing results. Botox Cosmetic® is typically applied to the upper portion of the face, while fillers are used to address volume loss and resulting wrinkles that appear elsewhere, including marionette lines and nasolabial folds. This full “liquid facelift” approach provides patients with beautiful, amazing results without the risk or recovery time associated with cosmetic surgery.
What you can expect from Botox results
Dr. Adam Maddox Medical Director at Thrive is excited to offer Botox Cosmetic® and dermal fillers to assist patients in rejuvenating their appearance and fighting signs of aging.
Injections with the neuromodulator Botox:
- Are affordable – plus you can apply up to $50 from your Thrive Beauty Perks rewards program to each Botox injection session.
- Are safe and predictable. Botox was approved for cosmetic use in 2002, and in 2017 alone, 7.23 million procedures were performed in this county.
- Create results that look natural (not frozen), in the hands of an experienced injector.
- Can generate noticeable change within just a few days after treatment.
- Provide results that last several months. Patients are encouraged to visit Thrive for continued injections to maintain smooth skin.
- Enhance the outcome of minimally-invasive treatments such as laser and light therapies, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion.
- Help skin “bounce back” after plastic surgery.
At Thrive, you can expect to receive your Botox Cosmetic® and dermal filler treatments from Dr. Adam Maddox, personally. Dr. Maddox has more than 15 years of experience injecting Botox Cosmetic® and dermal fillers and Thrive has earned Allergan’s Platinum Partner distinction.
If you live in the Portland area, call
today to schedule a visit to Thrive. At this private consultation, you will have ample opportunity to express your skin-related concerns and learn about potential treatment options, to determine if Botox neuromodulator is right for you. We assist existing patients while also opening our practice to new patients interested in rejuvenating their skin and appearance with Botox Cosmetic® as well as other injectables.
Botox & Dermal Fillers – Before and After Results
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Botox work?
Botox is an injectable neuromodulator that reduces the formation and appearance of wrinkles that are caused by active muscular contractions, such as in your forehead or around the eyes and mouth.
What’s in Botox injections?
The active ingredient in Botox is a neurotoxin called Botulinum toxin type A that temporarily paralyzes muscles. When injected into targeted areas by an experienced provider, this paralysis prevents wrinkles from forming.
Is Botox safe?
Yes! Botox is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a variety of cosmetic uses, as well as medical uses such as excessive sweating and cervical dystonia. When injected by experienced skin care professionals, Botox can be a highly safe and effective way to manage the fine lines and wrinkles associated with aging.
How effective is Botox? Where can I get Botox?
Botox has been shown to be effective at reducing the appearance of wrinkles that are caused by active muscular contractions, and works best on wrinkles that haven’t yet deeply set into your skin. It can be used to treat wrinkles in the following areas:
- Frown lines
- Forehead lines
- Bunny lines
- Crow’s feet
- Hooded eyebrows
- Tear troughs
- Lipstick lines
- Jawline and neck
Is Botox painful?
We use very fine needles to maximize your comfort during the injections. Each person’s threshold for pain is different, so if you have sensitive skin, we encourage you to discuss your options for pain management, such as topical anesthetics, with us in advance of your treatment.
What preparation do I need to do before my treatment?
In your personalized consultation, we will give you all of the instructions you need to be prepared for your visit, as well as discuss your Botox treatment cost. In general, we recommend avoiding any medications that can thin your blood, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, for a week before your treatment to help minimize bruising at the injection sites. Avoiding alcohol for a few days before your injections is also generally recommended for the same reason.
Is there anything I need to avoid afterwards?
Botox has minimal downtime, but the following activities should be avoided for approximately 24 hours to help achieve the best results:
- Rubbing or massaging the treatment area – this can cause the Botox to spread to other areas of your face where it can have unintended effects
- Vigorous physical activity
- Facials, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, or other cosmetic treatments
- Consuming a large amount of alcohol
- Taking blood-thinning medications
If you show signs of an allergic reaction to Botox, you should call our office immediately.
How do I minimize bruising?
Aside from avoiding blood-thinning medications and alcohol in advance of your injections, regular use of ice paces on the treatment area can help reduce bruising or swelling. Topical arnica or vitamin K can also help, as well as the use of yellow or green concealers.
What results can I expect?
In general, Botox begins to work about two days after your injections, but the full effect of the results may not be noticeable until about two weeks after your treatment.
How long does Botox last?
On average, Botox injections last about three to six months. There are several factors that affect how long you will see results, such as:
- Your age
- How deep your wrinkles are
- The elasticity of your skin
- The area being treated
- Whether you exercise a lot
One of the most important things you can do to maintain the effects of Botox longer is take care of your skin. Drink ample water throughout the day and keep your skin hydrated with a high-quality moisturizer. Some skin care products are available to help extend the life of your Botox injections, which we can consult with you about if you are interested.
In some studies, higher zinc levels in the body have been linked to longer-lasting results, so taking a zinc supplement may help you prolong your Botox effects.
Because regular Botox treatments can result in slight atrophying of the muscles and “training” them not to move, patients who receive regular maintenance treatments can often go longer between injections over time while achieving the same wrinkle-reducing effects.
