Youthful skin looks smooth and even. Over time, however, your facial expressions cause creases, lines, and wrinkles to develop. You can smooth these wrinkles with Botox®, an injectable neurotoxin that relaxes muscles. Botox® is one of the most familiar and widely used aesthetic treatments worldwide.
What is Botox®?
Botox® is often referred to as a neurotoxin. It targets lines and wrinkles by interrupting communication between the muscles, which cause wrinkles, and the nerves that tell them what to do. Without muscle signals, your skin can relax, becoming smooth and youthful-looking. Botox® is a temporary, injectable treatment with minimal risk of side effects and numerous beneficial uses.
What is Botox® Made Of?
Botox® and its relatives use a protein called botulinum toxin Type A. While they use slightly different versions that affect their behavior, all the neurotoxins work the same way to relax lines and wrinkles. Botulinum toxin reaches the targeted nerve endings and keeps them from sending a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Without this neurotransmitter, your facial muscles do not contract. Different brands utilize other proteins to help stabilize the neuromodulator molecule and those proteins may also contribute to the slightly different characteristics of each brand.
Despite being called a neurotoxin, Botox® has no harmful permanent effects on muscles or nerves. Its effects on the facial nerves fade within a few months, and your muscles and facial movement will return to normal. Your lines and wrinkles will reappear when your muscles become active again.
What Can Botox® Treat?
Botox® can treat a wide range of concerns. Its abilities extend far beyond lines and wrinkles. Issues we treat with Botox® at Krauss Dermatology include:
- Lines between the brows (glabellar lines or the 11s)
- Horizontal forehead lines
- Crow’s feet around the eyes
- Platysmal bands in the neck
- “Gummy” smile
- Chin dimples
- Bunny lines
- Lip lines
Botox® can also treat medical conditions such as migraines, eye spasms, and hyperhidrosis. This useful, effective product has been FDA-approved for decades with an excellent safety record.
How Much Botox® Will I Need?
Many providers measure the cost of your Botox® treatment by the unit. However, this method can lead to inaccurate or confusing pricing. At Krauss Dermatology, we charge by area, not units. Our cost for Botox® most commonly ranges from $475 to $875. This cost depends on the area, your needs, and other factors.
Getting Botox® at Krauss Dermatology means having your injections performed by a board-certified dermatologist. Avoid overdone or “frozen” Botox® results by having your injections performed by a physician expert.
How Long Does Botox® Last?
You may start to notice Botox® results after a few days. Full line and wrinkle smoothing will appear in 14 days. Botox® results usually last three to four months or longer, although this varies by individual. We will help you develop a schedule for maintaining your results as conveniently as possible.
Am I a Good Candidate for Botox®?
Botox® works safely for almost anyone, and almost any healthy adult is a good candidate. Ideal candidates for Botox® want to treat issues caused by muscle movement or contractions. These may include lines, wrinkles, and creases almost anywhere on the face. You should not have Botox® while pregnant or breastfeeding. You may also not be a good candidate if you have certain medical conditions (such as myasthenia gravis or eye muscle weakness) or an infection in the treatment area.
Take the Next Step
If you have further questions about Botox®, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at Krauss Dermatology. Call us at (781) 416-3500 or fill out our online contact form. We look forward to taking care of you.