Botox® Cosmetic
Botox® is the trademark of a medication that is injected in the face to temporarily decrease wrinkles and creases by interfering with the nerve impulses that cause the underlying muscle to contract and cause the wrinkle. These lines and wrinkles are often the result of repeated facial expressions that eventually cause the muscle to remain contracted even when your face is at rest.
Botox® is the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure. Botox® is a dilute form of a botulinum toxin injectable that is safe and FDA-approved. It has been used for many years to treat muscle spasms.
What Can Botox® Treat?
Botox is used on the face to treat areas that are commonly affected by repeated facial expressions including frowning, smiling, and furrowing the brow. Popular areas that many patients get treated are:
- The lines in the central forehead area that make you look angry or worried
- The horizontal wrinkles of the forehead
- The crinkle lines around the eyes when you smile
- Excessive sweating of the armpits (hyperhidrosis)
Contrary to what some may think, Botox does not give you a “frozen” look or prevent you from having personality through facial expressions when performed artistically and conservatively. While it does temporarily prevent muscle movement, the injections are performed at the sites of wrinkles such as crow’s feet or forehead furrows. They are not injected into the muscles that are used for overall facial expressions. Dr. Singer will choose the injection sites carefully and will use a modest amount of Botox to ensure you get good results yet still look natural and are able to communicate and react in a normal way.
Before & After Photos
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Who Needs Botox® Injections?
Adults who are beginning to show the signs of aging on the upper portion of the face may be candidates for Botox® injections. If you have vertical frown lines, forehead wrinkles, or crow’s feet, Botox® might be a good option for smoothing those wrinkles. Within days, your treated areas are softened, providing a younger-looking, healthier, relaxed appearance.
Those who want to maintain their current appearance are also good candidates for Botox®. Many younger patients who have not yet begun to show fine lines or wrinkles opt to get Botox® injections as part of their maintenance plan. Doing so early can prevent lines or wrinkles forming as quickly and can help patients maintain their natural youthful appearance.
Many men and women who are considering a face, brow, or eye lift are also good candidates for Botox® as it can delay the need for a more invasive surgery. By getting Botox® injections or getting a combination of Botox® and dermal fillers, many people experience results that allow them to put off facial surgery for months or even years.
Those who experience excessive underarm sweating may also benefit from Botox® injections. Botox® can disable the neurotransmitters that send messages to sweat glands and that are responsible for excessive sweating (also called hyperhidrosis). Depending on how extensive your sweating is, a single injection may be sufficient or multiple injections may be needed. Those who receive Botox® injections for underarm sweating generally experience immediate results that can last for up to seven months.
Why You Should Get Your Botox® Treatment from Dr. Singer
Botox has become extremely popular in the last couple of decades, leading to more and more practitioners offering it. However, it is always advisable to go to a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon such as Dr. Singer to get your injections. Dr. Singer understands the anatomy of the face and has years of experience performing Botox injections and other facial treatments. He knows exactly how much Botox to use and where to inject it to produce successful yet natural results. Dr. Singer personally performs all of the Botox and filler injections.
Dr. Singer will also take the time to thoroughly consult with you before you decide on a Botox treatment. Instead of offering a cookie-cutter solution for anyone who wants Botox, Dr. Singer ensures it is the proper treatment to achieve the results you want. He prides himself on developing long-term relationships with his patients so he can help them with their aging concerns down the road.
Your Botox® Consultation
Dr. Singer always provides a comprehensive consultation with all patients who are considering Botox injections. During the consultation, the doctor will listen to your concerns, answer any questions you have, and examine your skin to determine the best treatment to achieve your goals. He will fully explain the Botox procedure as well as any other treatments he recommends and the pros and cons of each treatment. You and Dr. Singer should both reach the decision that Botox is the correct treatment for you before you proceed.
Dr. Singer always takes plenty of time with each patient until they feel fully comfortable with the upcoming treatment. When you have a Botox consultation with Dr. Singer, make sure you voice every concern and question you have and be honest about your expectations of the treatment. This will help him decide if Botox is the correct choice for you and will also help him know how much and where to administer the injections.
For more information about botox cosmetic in La Jolla and San Diego, contact us or call Dr. Singer at 858.455.0290
The Botox Procedure
Before your Botox treatment, it is usually advised that you avoid taking any medication that can thin the blood as this can lead to bruising. During your consultation with Dr. Singer, advise him of all prescription or over-the-counter medication you take on a regular basis so he can advise you on what to avoid prior to your treatment.
Botox® is a very quick procedure that usually takes only 5-10 minutes and takes place in Dr. Singer’s office. Dr. Singer will inject the Botox with a micro-needle into the areas or muscles of each patient’s individual needs. In most cases, this will be in the forehead and around the outer eye. Generally, one to three injections will be given per muscle.
A topical anesthetic is placed on the areas of injection to dimish discomfort. Most patients will feel a burning or stinging sensation at the point of injection, though others report they do not feel anything when the Botox is injected. If you do experience discomfort or any redness or swelling after the treatment, you can use a topical anesthetic or ice pack to ease it.
The results usually develop over 3-7 days, and while the results are individual from patient to patient, they generally last 3-4 months. Many patients schedule recurring Botox treatments every four to six months. Others prefer to pair their Botox injections with another treatment, such as dermal filler injections, to amplify and prolong the results.
Results of Botox diminish gradually and over the course of the few months after injection, you will notice a gradual resurfacing of fine lines and wrinkles in the areas of injection. At this point, you can return for another treatment.
Recovery from Botox Injections
Most patients do not find they need any recovery or downtime after a Botox injection. Some may experience some mild redness, swelling, or bruising for three to five days after treatment, but this can usually be covered with makeup. We find that most of our patients are able to return to their daily activities—including going back to work—immediately after their treatment. We do recommend that our patients do not perform any vigorous exercise for at least 24 hours after their Botox injection, however, as the increased blood flow can sometime prolong irritation and redness.
Botox is a quick and easy procedure and many of our patients come in during their lunch hour or while they’re out running errands to get the treatment performed. If you are getting a Botox treatment prior to an event and want to experience the full benefits, make sure you schedule your treatment around a week before the event’s date so the full effects can be seen.
