Your Guide to Botox & Injectables
Our lives are built on emotions, and our faces help express them. With fine-tuned control over hundreds of muscles, we can express everything from laughing and smiling to frowning or crying to help others understand what we’re experiencing at any given moment.
The downside is, use of these muscles over time can cause wrinkles or fine lines to appear, sometimes making people look older than they feel. Going under the knife is one way to deal with this, but injectables are an often-used alternative, as they offer minimally invasive approaches to addressing the signs of aging.
What is Botox?
Botox uses an injectable approach of gently smoothing away fine lines and wrinkles on the face. Botox is a muscle relaxer. When you relax certain muscles on the face, they are prevented from creasing when you make certain expressions, reducing the appearance of wrinkles like laugh lines or so-called “11 lines.”
The active ingredient in Botox is a neurotoxin that targets the muscles that create wrinkles when they are flexed, resulting in a three- to six-month solution for smooth skin. And Botox can be used for more than just wrinkle reduction. The FDA has approved Botox for use along the temples to treat migraines and around the neck for aesthetic purposes.
Most Common Uses of Botox
- “11” Lines: Botox that smoothens the 11 lines/ frown lines that appear on the glabellar line, the region between the eyebrows.
- Forehead wrinkles: Botox injected strategically throughout the forehead can result in the reduced appearance of forehead creases.
- Sweating: Botox injected under the arms targets the sweat glands to reduce excessive sweating in these areas.
- Crow’s Feet: Employing injectables like Botox is one way to smoothen crow’s feet. These are creases resulting from years of squinting and smiling and form around the eyes.
Dermal Filler Uses and Benefits
Fillers are as simple as their name; they are naturally derived formulas that fill in creases and plump hollowed areas to get smoother and fuller skin. They help people get a more youthful look by adding volume and reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
Most dermal fillers, like Juvederm and Restylane, are made with a substance called hyaluronic acid that, when injected, minimizes the appearances of lines and increases volume. This substance is naturally produced by the skin and is therefore not a harmful or risky procedure.
During a consultation with Dr. Golosow in her Fort Myers office, she can help identify which dermal fillers or Botox solution may be right for your specific problem areas and concerns. Dermal filler solutions for you may include any of the following injectables:
1. Kybella Injections
Kybella’s injectable formula contains deoxycholic acid that enables quick breakdown and absorption of fat cells. It is most effective in treating double chins, as it ensures the fat beneath the chin quickly melts away and is no longer able to store fat.
2. Xeomin
This injectable is an alternative to Botox that may be used when patients have an allergic reaction or other contraindication that prevents them from utilizing that specific formula.
3. Juvéderm
Juvéderm is a line of dermal fillers that is effective in plumping lips or reducing the appearance of wrinkles for long-lasting results.
4. Voluma
Voluma XC can add volume at the center of the face. It is a hyaluronic acid-based product that has long-lasting effects: up to two years in some patients.
Professional Injectors in Fort Myers, FL
When considering facial injectable products like Botox and Juvederm, don’t risk having it performed by an amateur. Trust an experienced, board-certified physician like Dr. Lorraine Golosow, who listens and advises you according to your needs and preferences. To learn more about how injectables can make a difference in your appearance and lifestyle, contact us today by calling 239-330-6448 or filling out our online form.