Q: What can I do to give my face a more youthful look without undergoing surgery?

A: Many people today are concerned about the cosmetic appearance of the vertical lines between their eyebrows. These lines result from repeated contraction of the muscles in this area. When the muscles between the eyebrows contract, they draw the eyebrows together, causing the skin to furrow, fold, and wrinkle. Botox improves these lines by blocking the contraction of these muscles and relaxing them. As a result, the vertical frown lines between the eyebrows are much improved.

The discovery that Botox improved the cosmetic appearance of the vertical frown lines led to the FDA approving the use of Botox for cosmetic purposes in 2002. Since then, Botox has been found to be effective for many other cosmetic indications. For example, virtually everyone is also familiar with the ability of Botox to reduce horizontal forehead lines and the crow’s feet lines around the eyes. In addition, when properly placed, Botox can be used to elevate the eyebrows to give a brow lift, soften the vertical lines in the upper and lower lip (called smoker™s lines), turn up the corners of the mouth, relax the bands and wrinkles in the neck, and soften lines and wrinkles around the nose and chin.

Botox is administered with an ultra-fine needle into the treated areas. Discomfort is minimal and no anesthesia is required, although patients may have numbing cream if they wish. What is most important is to not overdo the treatment in order to retain a relaxed look with natural facial movements. Patients return to their normal activities immediately after leaving the office.

Botox is extremely safe when used in the very tiny doses that are required for cosmetic procedures. Due to its safety and consistently excellent results, Botox has become one of the main pillars of non-surgical facial rejuvenation. Over two million Botox treatments are given each year in the United States. Treatment with Botox has become the single most popular cosmetic procedure in this country and around the world.

We welcome all patients to our office who would like to have a more youthful appearance without undergoing surgery. Botox, when used at the proper doses and in the correct locations, plays an important role in accomplishing this goal.