You’re probably well aware of the wrinkle-relaxing benefits of Botox. In Plano, it’s safe to assume that you cross paths often with people who have smoothed fine lines with this injectable. In fact, it’s estimated that 11 million people worldwide have used Botox.
There’s a reason that Botox has become so popular and synonymous with any anti-wrinkle treatment. Not only has it been FDA-approved for cosmetic use for over 20 years, but injection techniques and new formulas continue to improve, making it more sought after than ever before.
With such immense popularity comes several clarifying questions and some curious concerns. At McGuiness Dermatology & Plastic Surgery, we’ve heard them all, and we are addressing a few of them in this article.
General Questions About Botox
We’ll start with the basics, discussing the common questions about Botox before we clarify concerns and misconceptions.
What Is Botox, and How Does It Work?
You’ve heard ofBotox, and you know it addresses wrinkles, but maybe you don’t understand what it actually is, or how it works.
Botox is the name of a popular neurotoxin made from a purified protein called botulinum toxin type A. When injected into specific facial muscles, it blocks the nerve signals that would cause them to contract. By reducing this activity, Botox keeps your muscles relaxed, limiting facial contractions that could create wrinkles in the skin.
If fine lines and wrinkles have already formed, you can diminish their appearance with Botox in Plano. By reducing the intensity of those lines from expressions, your existing wrinkles soften and settle into a more even, level position on your face.
Botox is just one of many brands of injections that fall under the category now called “wrinkle relaxers.” Because it’s the most popular option, people request it without realizing there are different formulas available.
What Are Other Brands of Wrinkle Relaxers?
Botox is the most popular brand, but at McGuiness Dermatology, we also offer Dysport and Xeomin. Each brand uses a distinct botulinum toxin formula, impacting result onset and duration.
- Dysport – ideal for larger areas of your face, like the forehead, because it spreads more easily than the other formulas.
- Botox – The fastest acting brand of wrinkle relaxers. We use this formula for delicate areas, like the lines that form outside of your eyes (crow’s feet).
- Xeomin – This brand uses the purest form of botulinum toxin type A and contains no additional additives. Over time, some people build up resistance to Botox. When that happens, we rely on Xeomin.
We carry only FDA-approved brands of wrinkle relaxers at McGuiness Dermatology & Plastic Surgery.
What Do Wrinkle Relaxers Treat?
Injectables like Botox in Plano work on what we call dynamic wrinkles, which appear when you make facial expressions. When you smile, squint, frown, or furrow your brow, you contract the underlying muscles, causing the skin to bunch and wrinkle momentarily.
We commonly inject neurotoxins, like Botox, in the following areas:
- Around the eyes (crow’s feet)
- Forehead lines
- Frown lines (also called “11s,” these small lines form between the eyebrows)
- Smile lines
For static wrinkles, the lines that remain on your skin even when your face is at rest, we recommend dermal fillers. These hyaluronic acid-based injectables restore lost volume, filling the lines that form around the corners of your mouth, along your neck, and across your cheeks. For some patients, we combine Botox and fillers to give you a smoother, more youthful appearance.
When Can I Start Getting Wrinkle Relaxers?
Wrinkle relaxers are FDA-approved for anyone over the age of 18. Recently, younger patients have expressed interest in preventative Botox.
For prevention, we use a smaller dose and place it precisely into targeted muscles.
We want to remind you that even though neurotoxins like Botox in Plano reduce muscle activity and prevent dynamic wrinkles from forming, they can’t stop the natural aging process. As you age, your body’s production of collagen and elastin declines. These vital proteins support your skin health, keeping it firm and giving it the ability to move and “snap back” into place. With less collagen and elastin production, your skin is more susceptible to sagging, hallowing, and dehydration.
Certain aesthetic treatments, like microneedling and laser skin resurfacing, help boost your body’s production of collagen and elastin to improve your skin’s appearance.
How Long Do Wrinkle Relaxers Last?
Each formula has a different duration.
- Botox: 3 to 4 months
- Xeomin: 3 to 6 months
- Dysport: 3 to 4 months
Because these injectables are temporary, it reduces the risk of long-term changes. If you don’t like the way they look or feel, you can just stop treatment without lasting effects (maybe a slight reduction in wrinkles).
Myths and Concerns About Wrinkle Relaxers
Now that you understand the basics, let’s address the myths and concerns.
Will Wrinkle Relaxers Make Me Look Frozen?
This is probably the biggest concern among our clientele—and anyone interested in Botox. We understand that over the years, Botox has gained a reputation for making people look frozen and expressionless.
Fortunately, when you come to McGuiness Dermatology & Plastic Surgery for Botox in Plano, you don’t have that risk. Our skilled injector, Patricia Gravenites, has spent 30+ years in cosmetics, 10 of which focused on injectable training. She’s seen trends come and go, but her dedication to natural-looking enhancements remains timeless.
Patricia will use the appropriate dosage and formula to address your wrinkles and produce the results you want. Her precision and technique leave you with some natural muscle movement in the face, so you can continue expressing your feelings.
Do Wrinkle Relaxers Hurt?
We use a tiny needle for Botox, causing minimal discomfort for most patients. The complete process for wrinkle relaxers takes only a few minutes and should leave no lasting pain.
With your comfort as our top priority, we encourage you to express any concerns regarding pain. We can work with you to find a solution that will provide you with a positive experience.
Are Wrinkle Relaxers Safe?
While knowing that we only use FDA-approved wrinkle relaxers should ease your anxieties, we understand that you may be curious about the word “toxin”. Botulinum toxin is a naturally occurring substance found in our environment. Brands like Xeomin, Dysport, and Botox in Plano are exceptionally safe thanks to small, sterilized doses and years of extensive research.
At McGuiness, you’re also in safe hands when under the care of our staff. We maintain a high standard of safety, from keeping our office and equipment clean and sterile to making sure every injector has received thorough training for injecting these formulas.
Before we even start treatment, we make sure that these injectables are safe for you. We take our time to review your medical history to guarantee that you do not have any contraindications that might lead to complications.
If you have an infection near the injection site, a muscle or nerve disorder, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, you are not a candidate for these injectables.
Will My Skin Look Worse If I Stop Treatment?
This preventative treatment won’t cause any long-term skin issues. Once the formula wears off, your skin should return to normal. This means that the fine lines and wrinkles that formed before you started treatment will reappear.
If you were using these injectables for prevention, you would simply start to see nature take its course as you get older. But your skin should still look as healthy and youthful as it did when you started treatment.
Once You Decide: Here’s What to Expect
If we’ve addressed your concerns and answered your questions, you’re probably ready to start the process. We offer consultations and injections on the same day. From start to finish, the process takes less than 30 minutes.
Pre-Care Instructions
For 4 days before your consultation, you should avoid:
- Blood thinners (Iike Ibuprofen)
- Alcohol
- Harsh exfoliating treatments
- Waxing or tweezing
- Dehydration
Consultation
Before we begin treatment, we discuss your desired results. Next, we have you make a series of facial expressions, which helps us determine which muscles to target.
Treatment
After our conversation and detailed assessment, we determine the correct amount of dosage for you. Next, we precisely place the formula into the targeted muscles.
Downtime
After your treatment, you may experience light swelling or bruising—though this is not the case for everyone. We suggest applying an ice pack to the injection site to minimize these reactions.
Post-Care Instructions
For best results, you should avoid:
- Lying down for 4 hours after your session
- Exercising or any activity that causes sweating for 24 hours
- Touching the injection site for 24 hours
- Sun exposure for 24 hours
- Blood-thinning medications for at least 48 hours
We also can’t overemphasise enough the importance of staying hydrated. This will help your side effects resolve quicker, and your skin stay healthy and smooth.
Results
Results depend on the brand, dosage, and treatment site. But you can expect to see smoother skin and reduced wrinkles shortly after your consultation.
Find Your Formula at McGuiness
When you come to McGuiness for wrinkle relaxing treatments like Botox in Plano, you can trust our expert team. Our injectables are safe and effective, and our injectors are experienced and educated. To prevent or relax wrinkles, request a consultation. Botox and other formulas are available at our offices in Plano, Prosper, Flower Mound, or Murphy.
You can also try our treatment planning tool. Once we receive your submission, a member of our team will reach out with available appointment times for Botox in Plano or any other treatments you may be interested in.
