BOTOX® Cosmetic is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to temporarily improve the look of moderate to severe forehead lines, crow’s feet lines, and frown lines between the eyebrows in adults.

Botox® is a protein complex that interferes with muscle contraction. It temporarily blocks nerve stimulation of muscles where it is injected, so that muscle contraction is weakened or inhibited. Botox® has been safely used for many years to treat spasms of the muscles that move the eye (strabismus) and uncontrollable blinking (blepharospasm). In 2002 it was approved by the FDA for cosmetic use, and since that time it has been marketed as Botox® Cosmetic.

Many facial wrinkles and creases are active lines caused by muscle contraction, which can be blocked by Botox® injection. The effect is temporary, usually lasting 3 to 6 months. With repeated injection, the effect may regularly last up to 5 or 6 months. Although some wrinkles and creases may completely disappear (temporarily), it is important to understand that some may improve but not completely disappear.

Results are temporary, but they can be long-lasting. Most patients will need to be retreated every 3-4 months to maintain optimal results.

GLABELLAR FURROW: “ANGRY FACE”, “ELEVENS”

The muscle group located just above and between the brow that contracts and causes an “angry face” or “elevens” is known as a glabellar furrow. This area of the face can cause one to look unhappy, it can pull medially and cause the inner brow to pull down and make the eyes appear more closed. When injected naturally and conservatively this muscle group now releases, giving a medial brow lift and making the client look more awake and refreshed.

PERI- ORBICULARIS RHYTIDS: “CROWS FEET”

The muscle group located just outside the orbital rim (eye space) acts as a draw string that when contracted can cause lines to branch out around the eyes also knows as “crow’s feet”. This area can be conservatively treated with Botox® Cosmetic to allow the muscle group to soften contraction and give a smoother appearance around the eye space.

FRONTALIS: “HORIZONTAL LINES”, “FOREHEAD LINES”

This muscle group is located on the upper face or forehead causing “horizontal lines” or “forehead lines”. When a conservative amount of Botox® is placed in this muscle group it will cause softening of the contraction and give a smoother appearance and texture. This muscle group also is recommended to be injected by an advanced injector do the face the frontalis keeps the brows elevated. The injector will avoid the end of the forehead to give a subtle brow lift and also allow for expression.

NASALIS RHYTIDS: “BUNNY LINES”

This muscle group in located on the nasalis (sides of nose) that when contracted can cause “bunny lines”. When a conservative amount of Botox® is injected in this area it allows the lines to soften.

CUPID’S BOW: “LIP FLIP”

The orbicularis oris muscle surrounds the upper and lower lip. Injecting a conservative amount of Botox® into the cupid’s bow can cause this muscle to relax which allows the upper lip to curl upward which then causes a “lip flip.”

PLATYSMAL BAND INJECTIONS: “NECK BANDS”

This muscle group is located on the neck area that when contracted can cause bands to protrude causing “neck bands”. When injected with a conservative amount of Botox® cosmetic, this will allow softening of the protruding bands and allow the neck to look more youthful and slimming.

When injected into the vertical bands of the neck, Botox® can relax the dynamic muscles, making them less prominent, and resulting in a smoother, younger looking neck. The results can generally last about three to six months. This means that you can have this procedure done about two to three times a year to maintain your results. It is a convenient option that can enhance your youthfulness without you having to undergo a major surgery.

DEPRESSOR ANGULI ORIS: “SAD FACE” “FROWN”

This muscle group is located at the base of the jawline that when contracted can pull down on the angles of the mouth given a “sad face” or “frown”. This muscle can also contribute to one looking as if they have marionette lines. When injected with a conservative amount of Botox® cosmetic, this allows the angles to release and give the face a more refreshed, youthful appearance and reduce or eliminate the downward turn of the angles of the mouth. It also can help soften and appearance of marionette lines.

MENTALIS: “CHIN CREASE” “ORANGE PEEL CHIN” “COBBLESTONE CHIN”

This muscle group when contracted can cause a “chin crease” or pucker and cause the texture to appear to look like an “orange peel” or “cobblestone” appearance. When a conservative amount of Botox® is injected in this area it allows the texture to soften and the crease above the chin to relax.

PERI-ORAL RHYTIDS: “VERTICLE LIP LINES”, “SMOKERS LINES”

The muscle group located around the mouth act as draw string that when contracted can cause lines to branch out around the mouth and lip area also known as “vertical lip lines” or “smokers lines”. Clients who have these lines may have never smoked in their life however the term was coined from constant pursing which would cause lines to develop in this area. A conservative amount of Botox® cosmetic can soften these lines and live the mouth area looking more rejuvenated. Also, depending on the client and anatomy, a conservative dose of Botox cosmetic can allow a slight eversion, giving the lips a subtle “fuller” look.

MASSETER INJECTION: “BOXY JAWLINE” “SQUARE JAW”

This muscle group is located on the posterior portion of the jaw near the temporal mandibular joint. It is a muscle group that when contracted on some clients can give the appearance of a “boxy jawline” or “square jaw”. When conservatively injected this allows this muscle group to “de-bulk” soften and give a more pleasing, angular aesthetic appearance as well as provide relief from tension and stress.

Botox® – Masseter Injection – (The number of units needed varies person to person).

AXILLARY INJECTION FOR HYPERHIDROSIS: “EXCESSIVE SWEATING”

This area is not associated with muscle injection but rather axillary (underarm) injections to provide clients who excessively sweat with relief from the watery, salty sweat that comes from the underarms. Clients who receive this treatment typically get 6 months from injection. 

UPPER FACE

Areas of the face that respond well to Botox® Cosmetic include lines around the eyes (crow’s feet), vertical frown lines between the eyebrows (furrow or angry look), and horizontal lines on the forehead (worry lines). Botox® can also be administered just below the lateral aspect of the eyebrow to produce a temporary lateral brow lift, which opens up and brightens the eyes.

MID FACE

Areas of the face that respond well to Botox® Cosmetic include masseter muscles, the muscle located in the posterior portion of the jaw near the temporomandibular joint. This reduces jowls in some clients and provides pain relief from those suffering from clenching or grinding.

LOWER FACE

In some instances, Botox® Cosmetic can be used to soften vertical upper and lower lip lines, to reduce muscle bands in the anterior neck, and even to elevate the nasal tip. Some “lower” face injection from Botox® Cosmetic include the depressor anguli oris which pull down on the angle of the mouth.

Botox® generally only works on expression wrinkles. For other lines and creases, we can recommend other effective options such as dermal fillers and laser skin rejuvenation.

This treatment pairs beautifully with most of our non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Many patients choose to pair Botox® with dermal fillers to create a non-surgical facelift.

Botox® results should appear quickly after your treatment. You’ll start to see positive changes in 3-5 days. We recommend scheduling Botox® at least a week before important events, so your treatment can begin working and side effects fade.

The cost of Botox® is contingent on the amount of units needed for your desired treatment results. To help you plan for your expenses, we can provide you with an estimate that breaks down the costs of your desired services.

When injections are skillfully administered, you should be able to make normal facial expressions, including frowns and smiles. All our injectors are expertly trained and strive to provide the best possible Botox® results.