BOTOX® and Xeomin
What are Botox and Xeomin?
As we age, a variety of factors can cause wrinkling of the skin, including sun exposure, a decrease of collagen production, and facial expressions such as smiling, squinting, or frowning. BOTOX® and Xeomin® Injections are a non-surgical aesthetic enhancement for fine lines and wrinkles that can help to correct signs of aging, as well as a quick cure for some minor physical irritations such as muscle spasms, excessive sweating, and vascular spasms in the hand. BOTOX Cosmetic® and XEOMIN® (incobotulinumtoxinA), are both market names for botulinum toxin, addresses facial lines and wrinkles on the forehead, eyes, lips, neck, and décolletage.
Before you decide to try Botox Injections, it’s important to understand how Botox, Xeomin, and other injectable neuromodulators work and where they will be injected so you can minimize risks and achieve your desired look. Let expert plastic surgeon Dr. Anu Bajaj guide you to rejuvenated confidence with a personal consultation by contacting us online today!
What to Know Before BOTOX® in Oklahoma City
Botox is a minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure that requires a thorough understanding of facial anatomy. Because Botox is injected into the musculature of the face, it can create unwanted effects if done poorly.
“If you don’t understand the anatomy, the most common problem I see is a heaviness to the brows,” Dr. Bajaj says. “If a patient wants to correct their forehead wrinkles, the injector administers Botox to the forehead. The problem is the frontalis muscle in our forehead helps elevate our brows. If it’s weakened or paralyzed completely, it can result in the heaviness of the brows.”
That’s why it’s so important to choose a highly qualified Botox injector who understands facial anatomy and can achieve your desired look while minimizing risks. Browse our Non-Surgical Gallery and see for yourself what you can expect with Dr. Anu Bajaj in OKC.
Where Do You Inject Botox?
Botox Injections are most commonly used to reduce wrinkles around the forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, and neck. Dr. Bajaj also offers specialized Botox procedures for specific corrections. Below are the most common Botox injection sites and how we approach them to minimize risks and achieve a gorgeous final result.
Forehead Lines
These long, horizontal creases along the forehead are formed when the frontalis muscle is used, causing the skin to stretch and contract over time. To correct forehead lines, five to 25 units of Botox into the skin pleats every 1.5 to 2 centimeters. It’s important the injections are high enough from the brow to avoid ptosis or drooping.
Frown Lines
Facial movements, such as frowning or squinting, cause the skin above and between the brows to stretch and contract. Over time, this creates small wrinkles between the brows, which is common even in younger adults. To correct frown lines, we administer up to five injections of Botox to the corrugator supercilii and procerus muscles (located beneath and between the brows). Up to 25 units of Botox should be adequate for this procedure. We make sure we don’t inject past the midline of the brow, as this can cause drooping.
Crow’s Feet
Because the skin around the eyes is thin, crow’s feet can be more pronounced than other facial wrinkles. To correct crow’s feet, we administer 2.5 units of Botox into the pleats, along the orbicularis oculi and procerus muscles (located beneath the brow line and between the brows, respectively). It’s important to avoid injecting too close to the eyelids, as this can cause drooping.
Brow Lift
When placed appropriately, Botox can create the same effect as a brow lift by injecting above the outer area of the brows to create a lifting effect. You’re at risk of brow drooping if the person performing the injection isn’t highly skilled in this specific area.
Lip Wrinkles
Commonly referred to as “smoker lines,” lip wrinkles are small, fine lines spanning out from the lips. Lip wrinkles are extremely common in aging adults. To correct lip wrinkles, the injector will administer approximately five units of Botox per line along the orbicularis oris muscles surrounding the lips and mouth.
Off-Label Uses
While less common, BOTOX can also sometimes be used to address excessive underarm sweating, muscle spasms, chronic tension headaches, and even gummy smiles.
Botox and Fillers, Risks & Benefits with Dr. Bajaj
Listen to Dr. Bajaj’s interview discussing Botox and Fillers, hosted by Shetv.
How Does BOTOX Work?
Overactive muscles create dynamic wrinkles, which are produced from facial expressions such as smiling, squinting, or frowning. Over time, dynamic wrinkles turn into static wrinkles, which appear on the face when it is at rest. Wrinkles can also be caused by age, reduction in collagen production, and sun exposure.
Botox and Xeomin contain a purified neurotoxin that temporarily reduces muscle activity. When injected, the neurotoxin interrupts the nerve communication sent from that muscle.
This reduces its activity and lets the skin above relax and soften wrinkles. The same science can be used for physical irritations like excessive sweating. When BOTOX is injected into the armpit, nerve communication coming from sweat glands is blocked, thereby reducing sweat.
BOTOX is a temporary solution. To enjoy lasting results, patients may choose to come in for regular injections every three to six months.
Candidates for BOTOX are patients who wish to diminish fine lines and wrinkles or address a physical irritation. BOTOX is a great solution for those wanting to regain a more youthful appearance without undergoing a surgical procedure.
XEOMIN®, another botulinum toxin product, is also available at Bajaj Plastic Surgery. XEOMIN is also a highly purified botulinum toxin in which all the accessory proteins are removed.
There are no serious contraindications, but potential candidates should not be pregnant, breastfeeding, or have preexisting muscular or nerve damage. Candidates must be age 18 or older and in good general health.
Before BOTOX treatment, skin is cleansed at the treatment site. A numbing agent is not required but available for additional comfort during the injection. After the area is marked, BOTOX® is injected into the muscle beneath the wrinkle.
Little to no downtime is required after a BOTOX procedure. It’s advised to remain upright for about six hours, avoid alcohol, and avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours. Redness at the injection site and a slight headache are common after treatment. About four to eight days after your treatment with either BOTOX or XEOMIN, you will begin to see the wrinkle-diminishing effects. The results of your treatment can last several months.
Contact Us for a BOTOX Consultation
If facial lines and wrinkles bother you, we encourage you to consider BOTOX. Call us or request a consultation online today to inquire about information or to schedule an appointment.