BOTOX® is used to treat various problems, but it’s not actually a medical cure. It’s considered a cosmetic treatment for wrinkles, even though it doesn’t treat the skin directly. Its popularity stems from the ease by which it is administered, and our Chicago, IL clients who choose this treatment as a means to diminish the appearance of smile lines and crow’s feet think of it as a regular part of their skin care regimen.
We’re often asked about whether this treatment, when administered every few months or so, can harm the facial muscles. The answer is no. BOTOX® leaves no residue. In fact, the muscles that receive the injections slowly but surely become trained to stay in a relaxed state, so less of the fluid is injected with each subsequent treatment. If you have marionette lines around the corners of the mouth and thin furrows above the nose bridge, this may be just the treatment you’ve been seeking.
How BOTOX® Works
BOTOX® prevents nerve signals from reaching the muscles. Muscle contraction is significantly deterred, with just enough contraction so that the individual can smile or make other facial expressions. Contrary to what many individuals have heard, this treatment doesn’t numb the face.
The fluid acts as a muscle-relaxing agent. When injected directly into the upper-level facial muscles, it prevents nerve signal transmission without actually interacting with the nerves themselves. When muscle contraction is affected in this way, the skin stays smooth, doesn’t get pinched, and doesn’t relax. This means that smile lines and other dynamic wrinkles don’t become as visible as before.
Consultation and Treatment
There’s a lot of advertising out there and lots of blogging about how BOTOX® treatments are simple and how they can be administered in just minutes. That’s all true, but we need to consult with the client at our office in Chicago, IL first so that we can see the wrinkling for ourselves and provide the best possible advice on how to correct the problem. We don’t perform this treatment without examining the face closely and watching as the client makes a series of facial expressions.
During the actual treatment, the solution is skillfully injected into the preselected facial muscles. It will effectively block nerve signal transmission in the days after it is injected. The effect will continue for multiple months. After this time, the client can simply receive another set of injections at our office in Chicago, IL.
Advantages of BOTOX® Treatment
Our clients here in Chicago, IL prefer BOTOX® over some of the other skin rejuvenation procedures simply because they want to improve their appearance without the need for surgery. There’s little to no downtime after receiving the injections. This makes it easy to schedule a treatment around other activities.
Make an appointment at aFresh® Med Spa & Plastic Surgery in Chicago, IL to learn more information about BOTOX®. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and get started!