Botox is an age-defying treatment that reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles on the face and neck. Both men and women can enjoy the benefits that Botox injections provide, starting as early as their 20s. At Silhouette Surgical Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona, we can help patients maintain smoother, more youthful looking skin. Botox can also be used to treat some medical conditions like migraines.
To find out more about this non-surgical injectable, please contact our office and book a consultation with Dr. Ptak today.
About Botox
Botox is an FDA approved anti-aging treatment that utilizes highly purified botulinum toxin A to diminish fine lines and wrinkles. Botulinum toxin A temporarily halt nerve signals responsible for muscle contractions that make facial expressions. This treatment is most commonly used for cosmetic enhancement; however, it can also be used to treat certain medical conditions as well like hyperhidrosis. Patients can achieve a more youthful appearance through receiving these injections and help prevent future wrinkles from developing.
Botox injections are quick, easy, and virtually painless. The treatment itself can be done in 30 minutes with no downtime necessary after receiving the injections. The Science Behind Botox Botox injections prevent the release of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters send signals to the muscles that tell them to contract and, in turn, make a facial expression. Through these constant muscle contractions, the skin begins to crease and become lax. This loss in elasticity is what creates wrinkles on the face, such as smile lines and crow’s feet. When injected, Botox will essentially cause the muscles to relax and help prevent the contractions. This will allow the skin to appear smooth and firm.
Treatment Areas
Botox can be used to reduce common signs of aging on the face. Some of the most common areas Botox can treat include:
- Forehead lines
- Glabella/frown lines
- Crow’s feet
- Peri-oral lines
- Bunny lines
The solution can also be used to treat certain physical hindrances, including:
- Excessive sweating
- Migraines
- Muscle spasms
Benefits of Botox
Botox is extremely effective at reducing signs of facial aging, but in addition, it is also very beneficial as a preventative tool. Since Botox can be injected to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles that have formed on the face, it will also prevent future lines from forming.Additionally, Botox is an attractive alternative cosmetic treatment for patients who do not need a surgical procedure, such as a browlift or facelift. These injections do not require downtime and can be done during a lunch hour. Patients who receive Botox treatments also are avoiding the necessity of general anesthesia that is required with surgical procedures. This treatment allows patients to obtain a more youthful appearance without the hassle or recovery. Furthermore, Botox can be used to treat more than just cosmetic concerns. Medical conditions such as hyperhidrosis and migraines can be treated through these injections as well. Upon evaluation, Dr. Ptak can better assess the patient’s particular case and determine where Botox injections will be the most beneficial to provide the desired results.
Botox vs Other Anti-Aging Injectables
Dr. Ptak provides his patients with different injectable options to help correct signs of aging that appear on the face over time.
Patients often do not understand the purpose of Botox in comparison to dermal fillers and what they are best used to treat. Both Botox and dermal fillers are anti-aging injectables; however, they are used in different areas of the face to correct different aging concerns. Botox, as stated above, is used to treat lines and wrinkles on the face that have occurred due to constant muscle contractions when making facial expressions. Although very beneficial, Botox is not ideal to treat areas that have formed similar imperfections due to volume loss. The elasticity of the skin decrease over time. This, in turn, results in lax skin that forms wrinkles and creases. Dermal fillers help replenish volume in areas that appear hollow or sunken, add youthful contour, and fill wrinkles and deep creases that Botox cannot address. Often times, these two treatments, Botox and dermal fillers, are used in conjunction to address both types of wrinkles and lines that have formed on the face. Upon evaluation, Dr. Ptak can provide his best recommendation for treatment to help the patient obtain their desired results.
Botox Treatment Process
Before beginning Botox treatment, patients will be given the option to use a topical anesthetic. The injections are virtually painless, but Dr. Ptak likes to provide his patients with the option to numb the treatment area to ensure they feel no discomfort during the injections. The doctor will ask the patient to make certain facial expressions to locate the best injection sites to achieve the desired results. Botox will be injected into the skin in small increments to strategically place the solution in the optimal areas. This process will be repeated until the entire target area has been treated. Dr. Ptak prides himself on his natural-looking results and patient’s ability to maintain normal expressions without looking ‘frozen’.
After Botox Injections
After receiving Botox treatments, the injection sites will be red and slightly swollen. These symptoms will last from a couple hours to a couple of days depending on the individual patient. There is no downtime required for Botox injections; however, Dr. Ptak asks that patients avoid strenuous activities for 24 hours after the treatment to help prevent bruising near the injection sites. Patients are free to leave the office immediately after treatment and can return to their daily routines. We recommend that patients avoid taking any anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, two weeks after the treatment.
Results
On average, patients will see their final results of the Botox injections after a few days. Once the swelling and redness have subsided, patients will be able to see a significant reduction in certain wrinkles and lines on the face. The results will last about 3 months before needing another treatment. Botox treatments can also be continued as preventative treatment to avoid further lines and wrinkles from forming.
Complementing Treatments
To ensure that patients receive the best results possible, Dr. Ptak provides his patients with the opportunity to combine other injectable treatments with Botox. The combination of dermal fillers and Botox allows for a fully comprehensive anti-aging treatment. Some of the most common dermal fillers that are combined with Botox include:
Juvederm
Juvederm is a hyaluronic acid filler that is most commonly used to treat lines and wrinkles surrounding the nose and mouth. Other common uses for this filler is to plump the lips and add volume in the cheeks to enhance facial contour. This filler often lasts about one year, depending on which Juvederm solution is used and where it is injected.
Bellafill
Bellafill is the longest lasting FDA-approved filler in the U.S. This volumizing injectable is used to treat smile lines and acne scars. The gel-like filler contains collagen to rebuild and improve the skin's quality, and also contains microspheres to provide structural support for the gel.
Bellafill can last 5 years or longer, making it an attractive option over other fillers.
Sculptra
Sculptra is a one-of-a-kind filler that not only adds volume but also stimulates collagen production for lasting benefits, even after the treatment. This filler contains poly-l-lactic acid microfibers that, when injected, help to improve the skin’s elasticity and prevents further signs of aging from arising. For lasting results, patients should undergo Sculptra treatments in series, about 3-5, usually lasting up to 2 years before needing further injections.
Cost of Botox
The cost of Botox injections will vary with each patient depending on the extent of treatment that is needed for their particular case and if any other treatments are performed during the same visit. Upon Dr. Ptak’s evaluation of the patient, he will be able to construct a customized procedure plan that is tailored to their exact needs. Through this, the patient will be able to receive their individualized quote for their Botox treatment. To obtain a quote, please contact Silhouette Surgical Spa today and schedule a consultation.
Request Your Consultation
During the initial consultation with Dr. Ptak, the patient will be asked what their aesthetic concerns are and what results they are looking to achieve. The doctor will then review the patient’s medical background, including any routine medications, skin conditions, and allergies to ensure that this treatment is a good option. Dr. Ptak will then evaluate the patient’s facial skin to determine if they are a good candidate to receive treatment. He will ask the patient to make certain facial expressions in order for him to locate the best injection sites. Depending on the patient’s particular case, Dr. Ptak may recommend additional treatments in conjunction with the Botox injections to obtain the desired aesthetic. In the case that the patient’s skin has lost a severe amount of elasticity, the doctor may recommend a more extensive treatment, such as a facelift, neck lift, or browlift to remove the excess skin.
Contact our Scottsdale office today to schedule a Botox consultation with injection specialist Dr. Jeffrey Ptak.