Botox NYC: Botox Cosmetic Treatments

Our faces are designed to be spontaneously expressive. It’s how we share a full range of emotions. Unfortunately, with time, the expressions on our face can become static. The once supple movement and action of our facial muscles lose their subtlety and become fixed. Botox works by weakening the contraction of facial muscles, which can soften, reduce or eliminate the lines, wrinkles and furrows that result in the skin.

Botox (Botulinum Toxin) was first approved in 1989 for therapeutic treatment of Blepharospasm and Strabismus (eye twitching and misaligned eyes). Since its introduction to the world of medicine, it’s been approved for eight medical treatments in the United States, including excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), which our NYC medical spa treats. Other uses include: chronic migraines, TMD Disorder or Bruxism, overactive bladder and muscle spasticity / muscle spasm (particularly for lower limbs).

Botox also works as a cosmetic injection that relaxes the muscles in the face that may cause wrinkles over time. It’s a popular minimally-invasive wrinkle solution for smoothing out forehead lines, frown lines, between the eyebrows (the 11’s),  drooping corners of the mouth, as well as crow’s feet around the eyes.

Yes, it uses a purified form of botulinum toxin as it’s active ingredient. Botulinum toxin is a protein produced by Clostridium botulinum bacterium, meaning that it is derived from a bacteria. While Botulinum Toxin can cause botulism, it’s important to note that, as an injectable, it’s is an FDA-approved procedure to safely reduce the look of expression lines on the face, when used by a licensed practitioner in small doses.

Allergan, the makers of Botox, received FDA approval for Botox neurotoxin in 2002 to temporarily improve the look of moderate to severe wrinkles and lines. Since it has been around for so long, it has an extremely high safety and efficacy profile.

The Botox mechanism of action blocks nerve impulses to the muscles, causing temporary muscle paralysis. Specifically, Botox injections are highly effective at treating the following areas of concern:

Forehead lines:

Horizontal lines occur across the forehead, as the result of aging and repeatedly raising the eyebrows. It can temporarily paralyze the muscles to relax the area and smooth these lines.

Botox Brow Lift

If eyebrows are drooping and hooding the eyes, an injection can relax the muscles that are pulling the eyebrows down. This works to restore a younger looking arch to the forehead.

Glabellar Lines or The 11’s

Furrowing the eyebrows can lead to two vertical lines between the eyes. It is highly effective at muscle relaxation, which works to smooth the skin on this area.

Crow’s Feet

If you’ve developed prominent lines at the corners of the eyes due to squinting or smiling, it can work to relax the muscles and smooth their appearance.

Corners of the Mouth

A drooping of the mouth can make us look permanently sad or upset. It can relax the muscles that are pulling the mouth down.

What age to start using injectables is highly personal and depends on factors, such as genetics, aging, lifestyle choices, as well as individual skin concerns. As a general rule, Botox at a young age (Botox in 20’s) is considered preventative. Botox in your 30’s can work on newly formed crow’s feet or lines between the eyebrows (the elevens’s). As a corrective measure, we recommend using the injectable in the 40’s, 50’s and beyond. Specifically, the 40’s are the decade when our face typically begins to show visible signs of aging. In addition, lines on the face become deeper, and we experience skin laxity for the first time. Moreover, we begin to lose volume and elasticity in the face, due to a decrease in collagen production, cellular turnover, as well as  loss of fat, bone and muscle. In the 50’s, these aging processes starts to accelerate, due to hormonal shifts.

You will begin to see results between 3-7 days after injection, although some areas may take effect earlier than others. It works to temporarily reduce wrinkles for 3-6 months, at which point additional injections are warranted to maintain results. Results depend on area treated. Specifically, forehead wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes will appear smoother. Creases in the brow and around the mouth will appear softer. Eyebrows will appear more lifted and eyes more open. In general, your appearance will be more relaxed, alert and awake.

Botox risks, bad results and problems are less common than a cosmetic surgery. It’s generally considered safe and severe symptoms of Botox are rare, particularly when administered in tiny amounts by a licensed professional. However, anytime you get injected, even for the flu shot, you can get minor swelling and bruising, which usually subsides in a few days. Injection complications happen occasionally, including rash symptoms. Serious complications of injections do not occur frequently. Troubling side effects nearly always wear off. The most common adverse effect from cosmetic injection is a slight unevenness of the face. However, this can be corrected with a “touch up” re-injection. In about one in a thousand cases, temporary drooping of the eyelid or double vision results.

Botox is a quick 10-20 minute procedure, which requires no incisions and makes use of super-fine needles. Because it’s a minimally-invasive alternative to cosmetic surgery, it comes with no downtime and is usually considered easily tolerated. Although, it’s important to note that individual responses to pain do vary. You can return to normal activity following Botox.

Cosmetic Injectables are priced by the amount of Botox used. How many Botox vials needed depends on the area treated, as well as how much correction you desire. It’s best to come in for a consultation to find out how much a Botox cosmetic injectable treatment will cost. In general, we say Botox is worth it!

Doing your homework about how Botox works is important. At Smooth Synergy, we applaud an educated customer! But there’s another component to achieving smooth skin that’s equally important to finding out whether Botox is right for you– that’s finding the right doctor or provider to administer the injectable. Make sure he or she knows how to inject botox and has experience using cosmetic injectables. You want to find a doctor with a proven track record of using botulinum toxin on many patients.

Smooth Synergy’s Medical Director, Dr. George Liakeas, has over 15 years experience administering injectables. He’s not only a trusted medical physician, but has a keen eye for aesthetics. He has a knack for understanding the face and knowing where to place product to make you look your best.  Call Smooth Synergy at 212-397-0111 to find out more about cosmetic injectables including Botox, Dysport and Xeomin, as well as our comprehensive menu of skincare and beauty treatments. Our experts treat each client as a work of art and skillfully revitalize that youthful look you desire. So, if you come to us wanting to shed years or if you need relief from excessive sweating, our NYC medical spa guarantees the best care from our expert MD injector and skin care consultants.