Everyone ages differently, and many people begin to see wrinkles not necessarily when they’re simply resting their expression, but when they’re smiling or frowning. Wrinkles become evident around the eyes and eyebrows earlier than many other facial areas, which can, over time, lead to etched-in lines and wrinkles. To ease the appearance of these so-called dynamic wrinkles that form when making certain expressions, neuromodulators like Botox can help restore a smooth and youthful appearance to many areas of the face.

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What is Botox?
Botox is an injectable formulation with the active ingredient botulinum toxin A, which inhibits nerve signals from reaching muscle tissue in the areas in which it’s injected. This dampens the muscle’s activity, which prevents wrinkles from forming on the overlying skin. Botox has been FDA-approved for many uses, including to stop muscle spasms and even to prevent excessive sweating. It’s most well-known, however, for its ability to reduce wrinkles throughout the face.

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Who is a Good Candidate For Botox?
Generally, healthy adults over the age of 18 are eligible for Botox injections. The best candidate for a neuromodulator treatment is someone who doesn’t smoke, isn’t allergic to the ingredients in Botox, and who has realistic expectations of the results and side effects from the treatment. People who are concerned with the look of wrinkles that appear with certain facial expressions are better suited for neuromodulator treatments as opposed to those who may have issues with fine lines and wrinkles that are always present.

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What Areas Can Botox Treat?
Botox is approved by the FDA for several areas of the face, including around the eyes, in the forehead, and between the eyebrows. There are also many “off-label” uses that Botox has been used for treating wrinkles, in addition to these three main uses.

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Some doctors use Botox to treat wrinkles in the chin or nose, although these are commonly better served by dermal fillers. A complete list of the services we may be able to offer includes:

• Botox For Eyes – Wrinkles around the eyes can make you look older or more tired than you actually are. With Botox for under-eye wrinkles, this area smooths out when making facial expressions.

• Botox for Crow’s Feet – One of the most popular uses of Botox is to eliminate wrinkles at the corners of the eyes, known as crow’s feet, that appear when smiling.

• Botox for Jowls – Botox injections can help tighten and lift the jaw with a temporary injection treatment.

• Botox for Sweating – Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, can be treated with Botox in the underarms, hands, feet, or even forehead in the areas most affected by sweat.

• Botox for TMJ – People suffering from migraines, tooth grinding (bruxism), and jaw pain may be able to receive Botox to relax the overactive jaw muscles that cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.

• Botox for Gummy Smile – An overly gummy smile is one that exposes a lot of your upper or lower gumline when smiling. Botox injections can limit your lip movement in a natural-looking way, reducing the appearance of gummy smiles.

• Botox for Forehead – Forehead lines appear quickly and become etched into your skin as one of the first signs of facial aging. Botox injections in the forehead may be able to slow the appearance of forehead lines with regular treatment.

• Botox for Eyebrow Lift – With precise injections of Botox around the eyebrow, you can achieve a more contoured eyebrow quickly and simply.

After a consultation, your provider will recommend a specific treatment plan for your wrinkle concerns that will benefit you the most.

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The Botox Process
At Renew Medical Aesthetics & Spa, Botox begins with a consultation with our talented Nurse Injector. After going over your concerns with her, you will receive a quick assessment and clearance by one of our providers.  They will examine your problem areas and review your medical history. They will then recommend a course of treatment that may or may not includes Botox.

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During the procedure itself, you may receive a topical numbing cream to ensure your comfort during the injection process.  Your nurse will then make precise injections with a tiny needle throughout the treatment area. The procedure is fairly painless and takes less than an hour from arrival to departure.

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Botox Results and Recovery
There’s no downtime required after Botox injections, although depending on your specific treatment plan, you may need to avoid substances like caffeine and alcohol for a few days before and after your appointment. Common side effects include redness, swelling, and bruising in the areas of injection, but these will fade within a few days and can be concealed with makeup if desired.

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Your results from Botox will become visible over a few days to up to a week following your injections, as the active ingredients settle in and begin working. A typical Botox treatment lasts between three to four months depending on the amount injected and your unique metabolism rate.

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The final results usually take 5-7 days, and the effects typically last three to four months. Our goal is to enhance your natural look, and we use FDA-approved products only.

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