Age is just a number. No one ever said you have to look your age. Cosmetic or anti-aging procedures can be performed to address lines and wrinkles. Botulinum toxin, or Botox, is a commonly requested procedure to soften the appearance of fine lines. Dr. Pepple and the team at Silverado Medical & Aesthetic Clinic in Calgary, AB describes treatment for facial wrinkles with botulinum toxin.

Injectable treatments are a common starting point when patients consider anti-aging treatments and improving the appearance of their skin. Botulinum toxin treatments like Botox are safe, effective ways to improve the following lines and wrinkles:

  • Frown lines, or the 11’s, between the eyes
  • Horizontal forehead wrinkles
  • Crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes
  • Smoker’s lines around the lips

HOW BOTULINUM TOXIN TREATMENT WORKS

Botulinum toxin is a purified protein that relaxes the muscles. Lines and wrinkles form in the skin because the muscles are constantly moving to form facial expressions. When people frown, squint, or smile, the muscles are moving, working, and creasing. The regular movement of the muscles leads to creases in the skin. When botulinum toxin is injected into these wrinkles, the muscles relax, and the skin has time to smooth out and recover.

Over time, the skin becomes damaged through exposure to the sun and environmental toxins. The skin loses its ability to recover and rejuvenate itself from the creases and facial expressions. Using botulinum toxin gently relaxes the muscles. This gives the skin time to repair itself reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles in the skin.

Botulinum toxin can be used as a treatment and as a preventative measure. It is a preventative treatment for patients who do not have wrinkles when the face is resting. Botulinum toxin can relax the muscles, so the skin does not crease as forcefully, therefore, preventing wrinkles at rest. In the same way, it treats wrinkles that are fully developed by relaxing the muscles and smoothing the skin.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Botulinum toxin opens up the face and relaxes unwanted lines and wrinkles. Frown lines make people look angry all the time. By smoothing out those lines, patients look more awake and happier. There is no right age or time to start using Botulinum toxin or Botox. It is a personal preference and may depend on an individual’s skin and how much it has been impacted by sun and environmental exposure. Some patients start preventative treatments as early as their 20s to help avoid deeper wrinkles. Others wait until later when the lines have fully developed. Either way, the treatment works to relax the muscles and smooth the skin. Both men and women want to look younger for personal and professional relationships. Botulinum toxin is successful for men and women.

Injections are easily tolerated. Using a very fine needle, Dr. Pepple injects the botulinum toxin into the necessary areas of the face. Patients may be asked to squint or to make specific facial expressions. This shows the exact location and depth of the lines. Treatments are performed in the comfort of the office and only take about 15-30 minutes.

Patients can leave the office with little evidence of having a treatment. As the botulinum toxin works to relax the muscles, the skin smooths out, so the full effects are noticeable within a week. There are very few side effects of the treatment. Bruising at the injection site is possible. This can be covered with makeup and will fade with time. The results last three to four months. The substance is degraded by the body just like the natural substance in the body that causes muscle relaxation, so it fades out gradually and naturally.

Botulinum toxin injections are popular treatments because they are safe and effective. Patients achieve a natural, yet youthful looks without appearing frozen or overdone. Patients look well-rested after treatments. Although most commonly used in the upper portion of the face, botulinum toxin can also be used for the following purposes:

  • Around the mouth to help turn up the corners of the mouth
  • Along the neck to relax the lines of the neck
  • In the lower face to contour the shape of the jaw

To schedule a treatment for facial wrinkles with botulinum toxin, contact Silverado Medical & Aesthetic Clinic in Calgary, AB. Call 844-314-4891.