From frown lines on the forehead to upper lip lines, fine lines and wrinkles can make you appear much older and sterner than you are. Dynamic wrinkles, which are caused by repeated facial expressions over a lifetime, can have a great impact on your overall image. Fortunately, there’s been a stand-by trustworthy treatment for these wrinkles for years. At Xanadu Med Spa in Fort Collins, CO, we know that Botox is an ideal treatment option for most people with moderate visible signs of aging.
How Long Do Botox Results Last?
One of the greatest advantages of Botox is how long the treatment lasts. Most people can expect to enjoy the results of this neurotoxin injectable for three to four months at a time. This means that you will only need to have this treatment a few times a year to enjoy continuous anti-aging results.
Several factors determine how long the results of your treatment will last. Your age, the severity of your skin concerns, your gender, and even your relative level of activity will determine if your results last longer or shorter than the estimated time range. For example, people who are very physically active may not have results that last as long because their metabolism works off the neurotoxin much more quickly than people with sedative lifestyles.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Although Botox has been a trusted treatment for well over a decade, people considering this treatment still have many questions. Aside from the longevity of your expected results, some commonly asked questions include:
1. How Does This Neurotoxin Work?
This is a non-invasive neurotoxin injectable formulated with a purified form of botulinum toxin. This toxin essentially interferes with the communication between motor neurons in the muscles of your face and signals from the brain.
As a barrier between the two, this neurotoxin prevents movement signals from reaching your facial muscles, which allows the muscles in your face to remain relaxed. When these muscles are relaxed, your skin also smooths out and wrinkles appear less noticeable.
2. Will You Be Able to Move Your Face?
Yes, you will be able to move your face after this neurotoxin treatment. This is one of the biggest misconceptions about this treatment, but the fact of the matter is that you will still be able to make subtle facial expressions. Your face will not be “frozen” or stiff after the neurotoxin has settled into your facial muscles.
3. Will You Be Able to Feel Your Face?
Yes, you will still be able to feel your face after treatment. This neurotoxin specifically blocks motor neuron communication, not sensory neuron communication. In other words, because this neurotoxin only affects one type of neuron, you will still be able to feel sensation on your face.
4. What Will Your Treatment Be Like?
Overall, the injections for this treatment usually take about 20 to 30 minutes to complete. Although a topical numbing cream isn’t necessary, some patients prefer to use a numbing agent for comfort during the treatment; if you would like to apply a topical numbing cream before your injections, you will need to arrive at your appointment at least one hour early so the cream has time to fully activate before your treatment.
An ultra-fine needle will be used to inject the neurotoxin formula into specific muscles or muscle groups in your face. The number of injections you will have depends on the number of areas being treated and the severity of your concerns. It’s not uncommon to have a dozen small injections to treat the entire face, or as few as three or four to treat one particular area.
5. How Should You Prepare for Treatment?
There isn’t much you will need to do to prepare for your treatment. We will give you preparation instructions before your appointment. Some of these directions, such s discontinuing blood-thinning medications and supplements, should be followed for at least three to five days before your appointment.
6. What Should You Do After Treatment?
After your appointment, you should follow all post-treatment instructions closely so you can get the best results for your treatment. The most important direction will be to avoid touching or rubbing your face for at least 12 to 24 hours after your treatment so you do not cause the neurotoxin to travel to other muscles in the face or weaken your intended results.
7. How Fast Will You See Results?
Most people will see the results of their treatment in two stages. The first stage is in the days immediately after your treatment appointment. During this time, your face may feel somewhat stiff as the neurotoxin settles into the muscles of your face. After several days, as your body gets used to the neurotoxin treatment, your muscles will relax and your results will appear more natural or subtle. Most people see the full results of this treatment within two weeks.
8. How Many Units Will You Need?
The amounts of units that will be necessary for your treatment will depend on the severity of the age-related concerns in any given area of the face. For example, if you are treating horizontal wrinkles on the forehead, you may need eight to 16 units to achieve optimal results. Sometimes your gender and age may mean you need more units than the estimated suggestion. The estimate of how many units you need for each zone of the face include:
- Glabella lines require 12 to 30 units
- Brow lift requires two to three units
- Crow’s feet require eight to 16 units per side
- Bunny lines require three to six units
- Upper lip lines require four to eight units
- Masseter lines require 15 to 25 units per side
- Chin wrinkles require six units
- Neckbands require 20 to 30 units
9. Is This Treatment Safe?
Yes, this treatment is considered safe. This neurotoxin injectable is approved by the FDA for the treatment of dynamic wrinkles on the face, as well as excessive sweating, migraines, and TMJ. This treatment is well-tolerated by most people, which means you will not have to worry about an allergic reaction if you do not have a history of severe allergic reactions.
10. Who Are Good Candidates in Fort Collins, CO?
Most people with age-related concerns are good candidates for this treatment. This injectable is ideal for those who have mild to moderate dynamic wrinkles. Both women and men can use this treatment – in fact, an estimated 20% of all patients who use this treatment are men.
The best way to determine your candidacy for this neurotoxin is to attend a consultation appointment so we can assess your aesthetic concerns and goals. People who are not qualified for this treatment include women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and those who have a history of severe allergic reactions to ingredients included in this treatment.
Botox is one of the most popular injectable treatments in the world. Known for his high degree of precision and efficacy, you can easily correct visible signs of aging by smoothing out dynamic wrinkles with this treatment. Your results should last for three to four months before you need another treatment. If you think this neurotoxin injectable is ideal for your appearance-related concerns, please contact Xanadu Med Spa in Fort Collins, CO to schedule your first appointment today.