Botox Cosmetic

Botox is one of many treatment options offered by McLean Dermatology to address expression lines like crow’s feet, frown lines, and forehead wrinkles. Through a carefully-administered series of virtually painless injections, certain wrinkles can be effectively smoothed, to bring about a more youthful appearance to the face.

Botox treatments are fast and comfortable, and there are no visible signs of the procedure afterwards. Many patients even choose to perform this treatment during their lunch break.

If you’re considering Botox as part of your skin care regimen, don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions. You can give us a call at (703) 356-5111 today!

How Botox Works

Botox can effectively target wrinkles that develop due to movement of facial muscles. For example, everyday actions like smiling or frowning can cause creases to develop in the skin over time and result in wrinkles like frown lines (also known as glabellar lines) and crow’s feet.

This is further exacerbated by the depletion of collagen, which can make the creases even more prominent, as the skin loses part of the support structure that helps it bounce back and keeps it elastic.

Botox treatments are focused on reducing the facial muscle movements that are responsible for the wrinkles. The key ingredient in Botox is Botulinumtoxin A, which temporarily reduces neurotransmitter activity within the treated area, thereby relaxing the muscle.

With decreased muscle movement, the appearance of crow’s feet, frown lines, and forehead wrinkles can be significantly reduced.

Do Botox Results Look Natural?

Yes, if the treatment is performed correctly and injections are made into the right areas, the results will look completely natural.

The key to achieving results that look natural is to understand the intricate muscle structures under the skin and how they interplay to create our facial expressions.

Does Botox Hurt?

Botox is a very comfortable procedure that is virtually painless. The expert providers at McLean Dermatology use very thin needles to administer the injections, and may even suggest a topical anesthetic for extra comfort.

How Long Does Botox Last?

Botox results tend to appear gradually. After your treatment, you will see some results almost immediately, as the treatment begins to relax the facial muscles responsible for certain wrinkles, like crow’s feet and frown lines.

However, patients typically notice the full results about one week after treatment, when the injection has had time to fully affect the targeted area.

Results from Botox injections will last approximately 3-4 months, depending on the patient. Touch up treatments may also be performed to increase the longevity of the results. Further, many patients find that regular treatments with Botox further improve results due to increased muscle memory in the treatment area.

What Botox Doesn’t Treat

It’s important to note that Botox only treats situations where the predominant cause of the wrinkle is muscle movement. By relaxing the right facial muscles, the wrinkle’s appearance is reduced.

However, Botox is not effective for sagging skin or facial volume loss. In these instances, the underlying causes have to do with loss of collagen and elastin, as well as the loss and migration of fatty tissues underneath the skin. For such cases, treatments like dermal fillers may be a more viable option.

Combining Botox with Other Treatments

Botox can also be effectively combined with other treatments like dermal fillers, light peels, or facials. This is often done to achieve enhanced results, by improving several factors at once.

For example, Botox can be used to smooth out crow’s feet and frown lines, while a hyaluronic acid filler can be used to bring more volume to the cheeks, chin, or lips.

Or, the patient may choose to receive a light chemical peel as part of the treatment, to enhance overall results by reducing the appearance of fine lines through exfoliation.

Taking the Next Step

If you have questions about Botox treatments, or would like to schedule a consultation, call our McLean Dermatology office at (703) 356-5111!

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