Who Should Get Botox?
People With Static or Fine Lines
A static line is a fixed line on the face. What this means is that there is a line left on the face, such as a laugh or smile line, even when it is not moving. Static lines come from age, as they need years of overuse and motion to form.
Fine lines such as frown lines, crow’s feet, and scowl lines can form on the face around our features when facial expressions are made over and over. When facial muscles are active for long periods of time they can create deep harsh lines. Treatments can affect these lines due to facial expressions that people might not even realize they are making.
People That Want Preventative Botox
Preventative Botox is the act of using these filler procedures earlier in life before the wrinkles happen. While some might think that this isn’t necessary, others argue that starting earlier will help to save from many more procedures later on in life. Dr. Kenneth Arndt, a Boston-area dermatologist says “it’s been clearly shown for a long time that frown lines, forehead furrows and crows’ feet are due to repetitive folding of skin from normal expressions” and that “if you slow down the use of these muscles beginning early in adult life, the lines never develop.” His argument is that “rather than going backward and fixing something that’s there, you can inhibit it from starting in the first place.”
How Does Botox Work?
There are three different kinds of Botox
- OnabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX© by Allergan Inc.) is a FDA approved sterilized extract from bacteria.
- XEOMIN® (incobotulinumtoxinA) is a FDA approved bacteria treatment made by Merz Pharmaceuticals that can be used for severe from lines.
- AbobotulinumtoxinA (DYSPORT™ by Medicis) is a similar treatment to Botox but is more concentrated.
These medicines work by weakening muscles until they are not able to contract.
In this way, Botox stops unwanted lines from forming on the face. This is done by injecting the medicine into problem areas where muscles are creating lines. Although it paralyzes the muscles, it does not harm nerves or muscles but only stops them from unnecessary contraction. After repeated treatments, lines can completely go away. Treatments can last 3 to 6 months dependent on things like genetics, amount of product injected, and how well the doctor performed the procedure. However, there is no limit to the amount of injections that someone can have, so when muscles activity returns, the patient can have more procedures.
For more information on Botox and procedures, please visit our informational page on injectable treatments.