Botox & Dysport San Francisco
Botox has truly revolutionized the treatment of wrinkles. Now a common household name, Botox stands today as the #1 most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure performed by physicians in the U.S. Both men and women, in their 20’s and beyond are having their regular Botox (or Dysport) treatments performed to help smooth away and even prevent the formation of unsightly lines and wrinkles. Indeed, for many of these folks, going to get a Botox treatment has become a timed ritual much like going to get their hair done. It works wonderfully and they love it. For others who are new to Botox, it is worth taking a moment to learn more about it.
When you come in for your consultation, Dr. Chiu-Collins will evaluate your facial structure, tissue quality and dynamic facial movement to determine what is the best, safest, and most reliable treatment pattern for you. She will customize your treatment specifically for your face. By having a facial plastic surgery specialist like Dr. Chiu-Collins personally perform your Botox treatment, you are set up for having a great result.
Botox and Dysport
Botox (and Dysport) are purified protein derivatives of a naturally occurring neurotoxin that has been approved by the FDA for treatment of the wrinkles in between the eyebrows. Botox has also been found to be very effective at temporarily improving the appearance of the horizontal forehead wrinkles, and the “crow’s feet” wrinkles around the eyes. These are the most common applications of Botox.
Using a tiny needle, a very small amount of Botox is injected into a targeted area of the face. Since the needle is so fine and only a small volume is injected, the discomfort from the treatment is minimal. No sedation or local anesthesia is required, and you can resume your usual activities immediately. The effects of the treatment last 3 months or longer depending on the area treated and how much was used. If dynamic wrinkles and lines make you look older or more tired than you feel, Botox can smooth them out and provide you a more youthful and pleasant appearance.
So you’ve heard about Botox for the FOREHEAD, BETWEEN
BROWS, and CROW’S FEET but what else can it be used for?
Chemical Browlift
Botox is an easy and non-surgical way of achieving a beautiful elevation of the brow arch. It must be done carefully by someone who is experienced at this “specialty” Botox maneuver. Our patients LOVE this use of Botox! Ask Dr. Chiu-Collins if you are a candidate for chemical browlift.
Perioral Wrinkles (Around the Lips)
Botox is helpful at softening the lines that occur around the mouth and lips. Like other wrinkles on the face, sun exposure, genetics, and smoking (smoker’s lines) are contributors to the development of these wrinkles, and they progressively make people look older.
Fortunately Botox can help soften these lines, and especially when used in conjunction with filler and laser resurfacing, we can achieve significant improvement.
Nasal Bunny Lines
Botox is very effective for treating specialty areas like the “bunny lines” of the nose. In some patients with very active nose muscles, leaving these bunny lines untreated will eventually allow the formation of very deep and etched lines in the nasal skin.
A Down-turned Smile
Another specialty area is one of the smile muscles. Evaluation by a facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Chiu-Collins will determine if you are a candidate for this. The depressor anguli oris muscle is the muscle that contributes to frowning, and weakening of this muscle in the properly selected patient can actually improve the shape of their smile.
Chin Dimpling
Chin surface dimpling can also be smoothed very well with Botox.
A Square Jaw (Jaw Slimming Botox)
If you have a very square or wide jaw with prominent muscles, and would like to soften the look of your jaw, you may be an ideal candidate for jaw slimming Botox. Botox is amazingly effective at producing a cosmetically pleasing result for the specialized area.
TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome/Pain)
Botox is very good at relieving the muscular jaw tension and temporomandibular joint strain that occurs in TMJ disorders. The injections can often eliminate headaches resulting from teeth grinding and in cases of severe stress, Botox can even reduce lock jaw. These applications for Botox treatment are off-label and many of our patients and common experience demonstrate that it is extremely effective. Dr. Chiu-Collins holds a background in head and neck surgery and thus can knowledgeably assess your temporomandibular joint pain and help you develop a treatment plan, whether it is Botox, ibuprofen use, relaxation techniques, or a referral to a dentist for creation of a night-guard to alleviate teeth grinding.
Vertical Neck Bands
The superficial platysmal neck muscles can often form very prominent and unsightly banding over time. For many patients, Botox directed at these bands can produce a clean and smooth décolletage.
Sweaty Palms
If this is you, you no longer have to be afraid to shake someone’s hand! Botox is phenomenal at treating hyperhidrosis of the hands. It temporarily blocks the chemical signals from the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands. When the sweat glands don’t receive the chemical signals, the severe sweating stops. The treatment takes less than 10 minutes and the results are very reliable.
Sweaty Underarms
Botox is also highly effective for treatment of underarm hyperhidrosis. It helps control the symptoms of severe underarm sweating when topical medicines don’t work well enough. It works so well that treatments have been found to last up to 7 months or longer in some patients.
There are many other applications for Botox that you can learn about during your consultation with Dr. Chiu-Collins.
Preparation
Although bruising is not likely with Botox or Dysport, it is possible. Patients who are using substances that can prolong bleeding have an increased chance of bruising or bleeding at the injection site. You should inform Dr. Chiu-Collins before treatment if you are using: Alcohol, Aspirin, Ibuprofen,Vitamin E, Fish Oil, Ginkgo, Green Tea, Garlic, Ginseng, St John’s Wort, or any herbal medications. You should avoid Aspirin containing products for 10 days before your procedure, and you should avoid NSAIDS (Ibuprofen/Advil/Motrin, Aleve, etc) and herbal supplements for 7 days prior to your treatment. Avoid alcohol 48 hours prior to treatment. If you are prescribed any of these medications by your physician you must consult with them prior to stopping any medication.
Recovery
There is no recovery time needed for Botox! You may resume your usual activities immediately, except we advise no lying flat for 5 hours after treatment and no exercise for the rest of the treatment day. The effects of the treatment last 3 months or longer depending on the area treated and how much was used.
Always A Team Approach
When you come in for your consultation, Dr. Chiu-Collins will walk you through every step of the process, from education and facial analysis, to pretreatment instructions, the treatment itself, and what to expect afterwards.
If you’re interested in learning more about Botox or Dysport, call or email Union Square Facial Plastic Surgery for a consultation: 415-702-3000, info@unionsquareFPS.com