BOTOX...Minimize and prevent facial wrinkles !!

Hello my NEW MEXICO beautiful people !  Here are some considerations regarding recieving cosmetic BOTOX. Botox (and other neuromodulators)  which contains a purified version of the Botulinum toxin (BoNT).

BOTOX is just a brand name like Kleenex etc. There are other brands like Xeomin and Dysport which all pretty much work the same....to smooth out wrinkles on the forehead, between the eyes (the glabella region) and wrinkles around the eyes better known as crows feet. 

Many first time patients are not sure what to expect so here are some things to consider.

1. BOTOX (and other neuromodulators)  take any where from 3 days to 14 days to fully kick in.

This DOES NOT mean you will loose all muscle movment. BOTOX will smooth out and soften wrinkles and in some cases you can get limited muscle movement in that area. The result depends on the number of units recieved and the severity of wrinkes.

The number of units needed depends on the severity facial wrinkes and desired effect. Here is a good inital guide. This means you might need less and possibly more units.

FOREHEAD 15-35 units 

GLABELLA (between the eyes -11 region) 20-40 units and sometimes more. 

Crowsfeet (around the eyes) 10-15 units per side. 

2. What to expect. The injections are made with a insulin syringe with a tiny needle. Think of a baby "bee sting" per injection lasting 3 seconds. There could be a touch of bleeding and brusing that can occur. 

I have done some patients with no bruisng and on the tenth treatment bruisng occurs. We have quitie a few tiny venules and capillaries not visable to the eye on our face. Bruising is inevitable and will occur eventually.

ICE, ICE ICE and ARNICA works quite well for this. So does warm compresses after 24 hours. Also minimizing NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen, Aspirin etc. 72 hours prior to  procedure also helps. Fish oil, garlic and alcohol can make someone bruise easier so try to limit consumption of these items prior to your appoinment.

4. WHAT NOT TO DO !! NO lying down for 4 hours post procedure, no vigorously rubbing of your face and no extreme sweating such as with with excercise, hot tubs and saunas the rest of the day. We do not want the Botox to move to an area of the face not  needed/desired.

5. We at Santa Fe Skin Vitality encourage waiting at least 10 days after a procedure for a possible touch up. Why a touch up ? Perhaps you might need more for the desired effect. This may not be within a patients  budget, yet this must be considered.

As well, our face is not symmetrical. Think of it this way.. is your non dominant hand weaker and less coordinated than your dominat hand. Most likely ! Your facial muscles are NO different. For example your R side might need a few extra units to create that balance. 

We hope this helps my beautiful NEW MEXICANS, keep in mind all pateints respond differenly and it is always to important to review any concerns/questions to your provider. 

DO NOT FORGET SUN SCREEN, MOISTURIZER, PLENTY OF WATER and a HAT !!! New Mexico is harsh on skin !!