BOTOX®

What is botox

Botox is the only FDA-approved medication to treat dynamic wrinkle lines in three areas of common concern: the forehead, glabellar region (between the eyebrows), and lateral canthal lines (crow’s feet). These areas commonly suffer from dynamic wrinkles, wrinkles that are created or accentuated by muscle movements. 

Botox works to eliminate muscle movement at the injection site, thereby minimizing or even stopping those wrinkles from occurring. Limiting the facial movements that create the telltale age lines allows the skin to smooth out and look significantly younger.

Why Do We Need Botox?

As our bodies begin to age, several functions start to decline. One of the most impactful is the production of collagen, the most abundant protein in our body that also happens to be responsible for fending off wrinkles and sagging skin. 

Other declinations, like elastin and hyaluronic acid production, also play a pivotal role in our skin’s ability to remain youthful and vibrant. Unfortunately, these changes ultimately signal the decline of our facial appearance when it comes to facial aging. 

There is no way to prevent these changes from occurring. Even though you might be able to fend them off for a little while with preventive steps or superb genetics, aging eventually comes for us all. This means there is a massive need for a product that can reliably fight off these changes.  

Botox is performed millions of times per year. It has a dedicated group of patients who have benefited from its treatment and continue to regularly have it performed because of how good it is at turning around the clock. 

How Does Botox Work?

Botox is made from a substance called botulinum toxin type A, which derives from the same bacterium that causes the well-known illness botulism. However, the ingredients in Botox have been filtered and purified, so there is no need to worry about contracting this illness from an injection. 

But when that purified substance is injected into a targeted muscle in the face or body, it works as a neuromodulator; that is, it can stop the communication between the brain and the rest of the nervous system, all the way down to the smallest muscle. This is how facial movements are limited. 

Am I a Candidate for Botox?

Botox is a good option for most people, regardless of skin type, tone or texture. If you are experiencing facial aging, you should schedule a consultation with our office to see if Botox is a good solution to your aesthetic concerns. Having realistic expectations is essential, and you should only ever have Botox performed if you are trying to achieve your own cosmetic goals, not someone else’s.

How Should I Prepare for Botox?

There is no lengthy preparation process for Botox injections. You simply make the consultation appointment, have the injections made and then return to your normal routines. If you don’t mind donning a bit of redness, you can even return right back to work, but we do recommend avoiding strenuous activities for a day or so. 

What Should I Expect from a Botox Procedure?

Your provider will administer the Botox into your facial muscles using a very small needle. The injections are quick and painless, and most patients do not require any topical anesthesia. It may take anywhere from seven to 14 days to see the full results, which can last up to four months. There is little to no downtime after treatment making Botox a great lunch-time procedure.

Does Botox Hurt?

The needles that are used for the injections are very small. The Botox being injected into the muscles itself typically is not painful. In some cases, a topical anesthetic may be used to help prevent some of the minor pain and discomfort that comes from the injections. Talk to one of our medical professionals to learn about your options. 

Is Botox Safe?

Botox is very safe and has been FDA approved since 2002 to help temporarily improve the wrinkles between the eyebrows. Since then, it has gained FDA approval for the forehead lines and crow’s feet. Injecting small amounts of Botox into the correct locations has been extensively proven safe and effective.

Can I Still Make Facial Expressions?

Yes! While Botox does work by stopping muscle movement in specific areas that create wrinkles, you do not have to have that “frozen” look in order to be effective. An appropriate dose of Botox, placed in specific areas, can create a softening of the most severe lines while still allowing you to have facial expressions. At your visit, you can expect a thorough discussion of what your goals are in order for our providers to tailor a treatment regimen specifically for you.

What Should I Expect During Botox Recovery?

The recovery for Botox is very nominal. You will not need to take any time off or make arrangements other than the 30 to 45 or so minutes you will need to have the procedure completed. We do let all of our patients know to avoid rubbing the injection area after the procedure to avoid spreading the solution to neighboring muscles. 

What Kind of Results Can I Expect from Botox?

Results vary from patient to patient, but most can expect results to last approximately three to four months. Retreatment any sooner than three months is not advised.

Can I Combine My Botox with Other Procedures?

Botox can be combined with a host of different aesthetic procedures, such as chemical peels, laser treatments, dermaplaning, dermal fillers, microneedling and other popular cosmetic treatments. Let us know what your aesthetic goals are, and we will work with you to determine an appropriate treatment plan. 

Why Tennessee Vein Center?

A lot of our patients come to us because of the skill and precision Dr. Campbell and his team offer people who are dealing with venous issues. After they go through that process, they are so happy with the care they received that they come back for cosmetic treatment like Botox. They are always happy and excited to learn that the same skill and quality care we provide for venous concerns transfers over to our cosmetic procedures as well. 

Tennessee Vein Center ensures that they are as adept at providing treatments like Botox as they are when it comes to their vein procedures as well. They are happy to spend as much time as necessary learning cutting-edge techniques and solutions for this side of the practice. 

Expert Botox Injections at Tennessee Vein Center

If you would like to schedule a consultation to learn more about how Botox can help you achieve your goals, give our Knoxville office a call at (865) 233-5858. You can also fill out our online contact form below to set up a phone call with one of our team members for preliminary information. We know you need someone you can trust, and we believe we can help you achieve your goals with the level of personalized care you deserve.