Botox and Dysport are the cosmetic form of botulinum toxin and are popular injectables that temporarily reduce or eliminate facial fine lines and wrinkles. However, I am using a special technique involving detailed facial muscle analysis and method of injection that does more than just reduce wrinkles. With my technique I can re-shape the face, create natural looking softening while maintaining facial expression, or create a custom look specific to each patient.

Injections of Botox or Dysport block the nerve signals to the muscle in which it was injected. Without a signal, the muscle is not able to contract and therefore cannot make a wrinkle. There is artistry involved when determining where to inject it, the amount, and also how to preferentially alter movement of certain facial muscles and produce overcompensation of others to alter the shape. This can help create a brow lift, specifically and precisely target how a patient wants to frown or smile, or even asymmetries.

I also have many young patients that use Botox or Dysport for wrinkle prevention. I personally started using it in my 20’s as a preventative measure. If you think about your skin as a piece of paper – if you don’t fold it, you won’t make deep creases in it. There have been some studies looking at twins, one who received injections routinely 2-3 times a year for over 10 years and the other twin who didn’t. They found significantly less fine lines and deep lines in the patient who used BOTOX®️ Cosmetic injections.

Botox and Dysport procedures require true artistry and meticulous technique. I sometimes use it to slightly lift the brow to open the eye, use it to slightly lower the hairline, prevent crows’ feet around the eyes when You smile, and have a smooth and wrinkle free forehead while being able to frown, slightly raise the eyebrows and show emotion . I absolutely hate “bad Botox” where the person is over-frozen and has droopy eyebrows, or the opposite, where they have crazy Joker-like eyebrows from the sides going up. My philosophy is that it should take out the wrinkles but allow movement. I do have some patients who like to be more frozen, some like to have more movement, everyone is different and everyone deserves to have their Botox treatment create the aesthetic they like. I make sure to take the time to understand what every single patient wants and tailor their treatment to them.

Botox and Dysport injections are a true technical art. There are 43 muscles in your face and I take the time to do a detailed analysis of those muscles as well as spend a lot of time in communication with you to create the best aesthetic shape and results for you. Injections may seem like a simple procedure, but having seen patients who have had Botox elsewhere with less than ideal results – heavy brows, joker eyebrows, creation of strange lines or movement, or even worse, incorrect placement resulting in eye movement restriction and double vision, Botox and Dysport procedures are both an art and a science.

To minimize the possibility of bruising, you will need to avoid taking drugs containing aspirin, anti-inflammatories, alcohol, or herbal medications a week before the procedure. Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding cannot have Botox treatments.

Every treatment will start with a detailed facial analysis and discussion. If it is your first time having Botox or Dysport with me, this consultation and analysis will be extensive. I will take into consideration not only your anatomy, but also any corrections you may want to your facial structure, any asymmetries, sensations of your face you may want to improve, your preferred aesthetic and degree of movement, as well as any important work or life events you have coming up. For your comfort, you will be numbed with topical anesthetic so you feel no pain. I will also use ice and a special probe that also reduces the possibility of pain. Sterility is extremely important so I will be cleansing your face with different solutions to make sure there is no possibility of infection. A very thin needle is used to inject small amounts of botulinum toxin into specific muscles to create your desired shape and aesthetic based on all things we have discussed and considered. Botulinum toxin treatment injections usually take 30-60 minutes based on complexity and discussion.

There is no down time or recovery time for botulinum toxin injections. However, it is important not to rub or massage the treated areas after the procedure because it can cause the botulinum toxin to migrate to another area of your face. If this happens, you could have temporary facial weakness or drooping. Also you must refrain from using makeup or placing anything that could have bacteria on your face for 24 hours. No strenuous activity or exercise for 24 hours.

You may notice results within a few days, but it can take up to 2 weeks to see the full effect. Maximum effect is around 1 month. Although everyone is a little different, the effects of Botox and Dysport slowly fade over the next 3-5 months. When the effects of botulinum toxin begin to fade, your muscle reactions and the wrinkles slowly start to return. We will create a long term maintenance plan for you and at the end of each treatment plan when the next treatment will be in order to maintain your ideal results.