Serving Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and surrounding areas
Botox® (Botulinum toxin) is currently the most popular cosmetic non-surgical medical procedure administered in the U.S — and has literally revolutionized the industry. Used for years in ophthalmology as a treatment for spastic eyelid disorders, it is now widely administered as a safe, effective and economical treatment for frown lines, crow’s feet, wrinkles and facial reshaping.
Dr. Moradzadeh frequently uses Botox injections to perform browlifts without surgery. Botox can create the effect of a browlift with minimal recovery time.
Understand the Procedure
Botox is injected into the tissue and temporarily weakens the muscles that create facial wrinkles or lines. It takes the Botox molecule approximately three to five days to fully start working, and it may require 10 days to reach its full effect. Because of this, Dr. Moradzadeh will schedule a two-week follow-up appointment to assess if the treatment is working as expected. Usually, the effects of Botox injection can last from three to four months, but results vary among individuals.
One week prior to treatment, it is best to avoid any products containing aspiration or other medications that can affect the blood, including Motrin, Aleve, Ibuprofen, Naprosyn, and Vitamin E supplements. The main concern with taking these medications is that they can lead to bruising following the injection.
What to Expect Afterwards
Avoid facials and massaging the injection site for two days afterwards.
Is Botox Right for You?
Botox works best on faces in which the wrinkles are not deeply inset into the skin. This can vary with age, sun exposure, and genetic factors. But Botox can also be used as a preventative treatment to help protect the skin from forming signs of aging. Many people begin their treatments in their 20’s and 30’s, though treatment can begin at any age.
While Botox injections have proved efficient at getting rid of unwanted facial lines like wrinkles caused by the aging process, it’s important to remember that this is not a permanent solution and requires repeated treatments. It is not an option for women who are pregnant and nursing or for patients with neuromuscular disorders such as Myasthenia Graves Disease.
After a thorough consultation and exam, Dr. Moradzadeh can help you decide if Botox makes sense for you based on the results you’re trying to achieve.
DYSPORT
Dysport is an FDA-approved alternative to Botox. Developed in the United Kingdom in the 1990s, it is now used throughout the world. Like Botox, Dysport is a Botulinum toxin, and they have similar treatment effects. Both are FDA-approved and offer safe and effective options for treating age lines on the face and neck, including crow’s feet, eye wrinkles, horizontal forehead lines, neckbands, bunny lines, and chin dimpling.
Botox and Dysport are injected into the facial muscles in the same manner. Some patients notice that Dysport starts working within a day or two, whereas Botox can take up to a week to show results. Other patients do not notice a significant difference in how quickly the products work. The side effects experienced after the treatments are similar, too, and may include slight soreness around the inject sites or a slight headache.
XEOMIN
Xeomin, also known as incobotulinumtoxin A, is the newest FDA-approved alternative to Botox. It is actually quite similar to Botox and is injected into the face to soften wrinkles by relaxing the muscles underneath them.
Results from Xeomin and Botox last about the same amount of time, which is about three to four months in most patients. Some patients, however, experience the effects of either for up to six months.
What to Expect Afterwards
Risks from the procedure are very minor. Bruising can occur with any injection, but if it does, it fades quickly. In rare instances, Botox can induce weakness in a nearly muscle, causing asymmetry or a droopy eyelid or lip. To minimize this risk, it’s recommended that the patient avoid touching the injected area for several hours. This will give the Botox time to bind to the intended muscles only.
Is a Neuromodulator Right For You?
Dr. Moradzadeh will review your specific cosmetic concerns and medical history with you — and advise you on whether Dysport or Xeomin are the appropriate treatment to achieve the results you’re looking for.
Other Options To Consider
There are a variety of options for facial rejuvenation Dr. Moradzadeh can discuss with you. In fact, he can customize a treatment that best addresses the results you want to achieve. For example, a combination of Botox, filler and laser resurfacing can give your face a “natural-looking” non-surgical lift — and a more youthful glow. For a more permanent solution, you may want to consider a popular treatment known as Micro Fat Transfer.
