Where Is Botox Injected For Best Results?
Let’s talk about Botox
Botox has received some bad press in the past. Now, Botox and other non-surgical options are widely accepted with the rise in cosmetics and cosmetic procedures. But Botox goes beyond clearing up your wrinkles. This product has several uses depending on the needs and injection side. So, where is Botox injected for the best results? The injection site can alter the success of treatment, which is why you must receive treatment from a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Let’s talk about this injectable and how you can apply it to fix long-term cosmetic issues you can no longer ignore.
What is Botox?
Botox is often used to pertain to a cosmetic injectable botulinum toxin. It’s simply a brand name – the first-ever FDA-approved botulinum toxin product. It is also called a “miracle poison” as it is a poisonous biological substance produced by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. On the other hand, it is a “miracle” because the muscle-weakening it causes can be used for various medical and cosmetic treatments. It can provide cosmetic benefits when used in specific amounts in specific areas. There are several brands of botulinum toxin type A injections. Aside from Botox, there’s also Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau.
How does Botox work?
Once injected, Botox blocks the nerve signals from going to the muscle. Without any signal, the muscle will not contract. As such, the wrinkles relax and soften. These effects are temporary and can only last for a few months. However, the more Botox is used, the more the area will respond on its own, increasing the timeframe between shots.
How is a Botox procedure done?
A Botox procedure usually takes only several minutes. Anesthesia is not even needed or provided. Typically, your healthcare provider will use a small needle to inject Botox into the tissue that needs to be relaxed. This may cause some minor discomfort. After the procedure, it would take 7 to 14 days to see the full effect, lasting for 3 to s6 months. The lines and wrinkles will reappear again, but they will be less severe than before. Then you would need another Botox session. Before the procedure, your healthcare provider may advise you to stop taking aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications and avoid alcohol at least one week before your schedule.
What conditions does Botox treat?
Botox is most often used to treat the signs of aging, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also approved it to treat some medical conditions. The medical conditions that Botox can treat include:
- Cervical dystonia
- Lazy Eye
- Hyperhidrosis
- Chronic migraine
- Bladder dysfunction, and
- Eye twitching
A general doctor or surgeon will perform Botox injections to treat these issues. For cosmetic reasons, your board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon will use Botox or other injectables.
Cosmetic uses of Botox
Botox is primarily used for cosmetic procedures. In 2020, it was the top non-surgical cosmetic procedure, with more than 6 million procedures done. Here are some examples of uses for Botox:
- To smoothen frown lines, crow’s feet, forehead furrows, lip lines, and bunny lines;
- To lessen neck bands;
- Lift the corners of the mouth;
- Soften a square jawline;
- Correct a gummy smile; and,
- Improve the appearance of skin dimpling on the chin.
Where Is Botox Injected For The Best Results?
The Upper Face
Let’s now talk about the ideal areas of the face where Botox can be injected for the most visible results. The forehead is the most common injection site for Botox since it is also where the first signs of aging appear. Botox injections in this area can quickly treat mild to moderate horizontal wrinkles. Another common site is the glabellar or the area between the eyebrows. Treatment in this area smoothens the vertical wrinkles and corrects the eyes’ tired or angry appearance.
Next is the outer corner of the eye since this is where the crow’s feet are formed. Crow’s feet are tiny, branching wrinkles that become more visible when the person is smiling. The skin is also thinner in this area, so wrinkles quickly form. The upper eyebrow is also a good Botox injection site because relaxed muscles in this area can improve the appearance of droopy eyelids. Botox injection on the upper eyebrow provides the effects of an eyebrow lift.
The mid and lower face
Where is Botox injected for other parts of the face?
Moving from the eyes, the side of the nose is also frequently treated with Botox to lessen the bunny lines or those rabbit-like wrinkles that appear when the face is scrunched up or when you smile or laugh. The corners of the mouth are also a suitable injection site. Here, Botox can smoothen smile lines and correct crooked or drooping smiles. After Botox injection in this area, you may look happier and more lively.
Although not as immediately noticeable as the eyebrow area, the chin area is also significantly affected by the loss of collagen due to aging. It develops a puckered or dimpled chin that can be corrected with Botox injections. A smoother chin area then gives a more youthful look. Even the neck area is also affected by aging. It develops horizontal and vertical wrinkles, which is why it is also a good site for Botox injection. In addition to reducing these wrinkles, Botox can prevent the neck muscles from sagging and improve the jawline.
What are the risks of Botox injections?
Botox injections are minimally-invasive and generally safe when administered by a licensed and experienced healthcare provider. However, there are still potential side effects and complications such as:
- Pain, swelling, or bruising of the injected area
- Headache and other flu-like symptoms
- Droopy eyes
- Eye dryness
- Excessive tearing
- Crooked smile
- Drooling
Possible risks and complications
The probability is low, but the toxin may also spread to other body areas. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following after your Botox procedure:
- Vision problems
- Difficulty speaking or swallowing
- Breathing problems
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of bladder control
How much does it cost?
Botox is usually measured in units and priced per unit. So if the forehead and eye areas are treated, for example, about 30-40 units will be needed. Therefore, one session of Botox can cost a few hundred dollars. These rates would still vary depending on your location and chosen healthcare provider. The cost of Botox also differs for medical or cosmetic purposes. Typically, Botox used for medical purposes is covered by insurance. Botox for cosmetic purposes is not.
Are you ready for Botox?
Botox can be used to treat various medical and cosmetic concerns. However, it is more popular as a quick, non-surgical remedy to signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. It is best used on the forehead, around the eyes, side of the nose, corner of the mouth, chin, and neck. If you want to try Botox, reach out to us at Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics. Our board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Ife Rodney, and her team specialize in Botox and other injectables. We can help transform those wrinkles with a customized plan for you.