Many people wonder how they can reduce the natural signs of aging. Of course, it’s important to eat a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables, drink plenty of water, and get regular exercise to promote longevity and to avoid the signs of premature aging. But even with a healthy lifestyle, the effects of age can still show, causing many people to wish they could look a little younger. As skin ages, it loses its elasticity, and creases in the face caused by smiling and frowning turn into permanent lines and wrinkles. Lines and wrinkles are most common on the forehead and around the eyes, where the muscles that create facial expressions are located.

Fortunately, BOTOX® Cosmetic is a procedure that can help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It is the first and only FDA-approved treatment to temporarily make moderate to severe frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines look better in adults. And as it’s the number one selling treatment of its kind, many people are curious about whether it could be the right treatment for them.

  1. How does the procedure work?

BOTOX® Cosmetic is made with botulinum toxin type A, originally used to control motor disorders and involuntary muscle spasms by immobilizing targeted muscles. BOTOX® Cosmetic targets one of the underlying causes of frown lines, crow’s feet and forehead lines – repeated muscle contractions from frowning, squinting, smiling and raising eyebrows over the years. BOTOX® Cosmetic temporarily reduces this muscle activity and smooths the frown lines between the eyebrows, crow’s feet lines, and forehead lines.

Treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic is customized to patients’ goals and needs, and a dermatologist will determine the appropriate treatment for any problem areas. Using a very fine needle, a qualified physician will inject BOTOX® Cosmetic into designated muscles in the face that are causing lines and wrinkles.

For the crow’s feet area, a physician will inject three areas of the muscle that frames the side of the eye. This will be repeated on the muscle that frames the other eye.

For the frown lines area, a physician will administer five injections into the muscles between the eyebrows and the forehead.

For the forehead lines area, a physician will administer five injections into a muscle in the forehead.

  1. Who Can Benefit from BOTOX® Cosmetic?

Both men and women can benefit from BOTOX® Cosmetic in Sterling Heights. Although women often take advantage of the benefits the procedure provides, many men make BOTOX® Cosmetic part of what they do to care for their appearance. In the past three years, men have received over one million botulinum toxin treatments. One survey showed that the majority of men say they want to look good and many are bothered by the changes they see in the mirror; 80% of men surveyed would choose to treat their crow’s feet first, while 74% would prioritize their forehead lines, and 60% would most like to treat their frown lines.

Although many people seek BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment in their 40’s and 50’s, people under 40 can also benefit from BOTOX® Cosmetic. The severity of a patient’s lines and wrinkles, rather than a patient’s age, determines whether it’s the right time for anti-aging procedures. Since everyone’s face ages differently, the timing of BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment can be influenced by a combination of factors, including cellular changes that occur over time, genetic factors such as the speed of collagen reduction, or damage caused by the sun and the environment.

64% of surgeons report seeing a rise in cosmetic procedures including injectable treatments for patients in their early 30’s. And since BOTOX® Cosmetic is a quick, minor procedure, it is often considered desirable by younger patients seeking to avoid more invasive treatment. For those patients considering BOTOX® Cosmetic in Sterling Heights, a qualified dermatologist can help determine whether the procedure is the right course of action.

  1. How much time does BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment take, and how long does it take to recover?

BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment takes only a few minutes, and because recovery is immediate, patients can return to work or resume other normal daily activities right after leaving their physician’s office. A physician administering BOTOX® Cosmetic injections in Sterling Heights will discuss treatment goals and perform a facial analysis to determine the appropriate treatment areas for each patient before treatment begins. Actual injection time varies, but treatment typically takes about ten minutes.

  1. Does BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment hurt?

Some patients may experience brief, mild discomfort during BOTOX® Cosmetic injections, but the treatment is very safe and effective. Some patients report that being injected with BOTOX® Cosmetic feels like a pinch, and that the discomfort doesn’t last a long time.

  1. When does BOTOX® Cosmetic start to take effect, and how long do the results last?

Most patients begin to notice that their wrinkles and lines begin to fade within 24 to 48 hours of treatment, with continued improvement seen over the following seven days. Results are not permanent, and typically last up to four months for moderate to severe frown lines; however, results may vary from patient to patient, and many patients have reported results lasting up to a full year. A BOTOX® Cosmetic dermatologist in Sterling Heights will plan patients’ follow-up appointments based on results and aesthetic goals.

  1. Will the results look natural?

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a technique-sensitive treatment that can be trusted to deliver subtle results when administered by a trained physician. For those seeking BOTOX® Cosmetic injections in Sterling Heights, a licensed dermatologist who is an expert in facial anatomy can help patients look like themselves, but with less noticeable lines.

BOTOX® Cosmetic is the premier minimally-invasive anti-aging treatment in the United States because of its minimal treatment time, natural-looking lasting results, and scientifically-backed safety and efficacy. Its unique formulation is the most widely-studied and researched treatment of its kind. Patients can feel reassured that with the help of a licensed and trained dermatologist, treatments with BOTOX® Cosmetic will produce the subtle yet highly effective anti-aging results they are seeking.