Treating the frown wrinkle

To get a clear understanding of your preferences and treatment options, we schedule a consultation. Before the treatment, we assess whether you are a suitable candidate based on your medical background. We then analyze your face to determine which areas can be optimized with Botox or fillers. We examine the muscles involved in facial expressions, the quality of the skin, and the distinctive features of your face and expression that we want to preserve.

One of the main goals of the initial consultation is to ensure that your expectations align with the expected results and to provide honest treatment advice. Photos are taken for your medical record to document the results. Your information is kept entirely confidential. Schedule an appointment now for a free initial consultation.

Botox is injected using a very fine needle into the superficial muscles under the skin. A Botox treatment is virtually painless and takes a maximum of 15 minutes, depending on the number of zones. Afterward, you can resume your daily activities immediately.

We advise against engaging in sports, lying flat, or massaging the treated area in the first few hours after the treatment. The doctor will provide you with additional tips for proper aftercare.

A few weeks after the treatment, we invite you for a follow-up to assess the results. If there are still visible wrinkles two weeks after the Botox treatment, they can be further softened with a hyaluronic acid filler.

To achieve a natural and subtle result, we often recommend not over-treating during the first session. This allows for additional touch-up treatments during the follow-up or the option to address other areas.

Botulinum toxin, commonly known as “Botox,” is a medication that has been used since the 1970s as a muscle relaxant. Botox is a purified protein that temporarily blocks the signal transmission between nerves and muscles. In the 1990s, it was accidentally discovered that treating eyelid spasms (twitching eye) resulted in the disappearance of wrinkles around the eyes. Since then, the use of Botox for cosmetic purposes has grown significantly and become the most performed cosmetic procedure. The majority of Botox is still used by hospitals for medical purposes.

When we consciously or unconsciously contract a muscle, a signal is sent from our brains through a nerve to the muscle, instructing it to contract. When Botox is injected into this muscle, the signal from the nerve is temporarily blocked, resulting in a decrease in muscle strength or complete muscle relaxation. Facial muscles that cause wrinkles can relax, softening or completely eliminating the wrinkles. Botox not only works on muscles but also on glands. It is often used to treat excessive sweating of the armpits.

A very thin needle is used for the injection of Botox. The injections are typically experienced as pinpricks. For a Botox treatment, no anesthesia is necessary. If you find it very nerve-wracking, we can apply a numbing cream.

As Botox is injected through the skin with a needle, there is always a chance of hitting a small blood vessel. A bruise will usually fade on its own within a few days and is often easy to conceal. If you are concerned about this, avoid using blood-thinning agents such as fish oil, vitamin E, aspirin, and ibuprofen in the days leading up to the treatment. The likelihood of bruising is generally small, but it’s worth considering, especially before important events.

After the treatment, it is important for the Botox to ‘settle’ in the muscle where it was injected. During the first 4 hours after the treatment, the Botox is still ‘liquid’ and can theoretically spread. We advise during this period:

1. Not to touch the treated area
2. Avoid sports or other physical activities
3. Refrain from activities that may cause heat
4. Avoid lying down flat

The effect of a Botox treatment usually becomes visible after a few days and reaches its final result after 1-2 weeks. The muscles that pull the skin into a fold relax, causing the skin to smooth out. If the wrinkle has existed for years and has become deep, it may soften but not completely disappear after the treatment. Since Botox also affects sebaceous glands, we often see an improvement in skin quality in the “T-zone” of the face. On average, the effect of a treatment lasts 3-7 months. With repeated treatments before it completely wears off, we observe an increase in the duration of the effect.

Botox is a medication that has been researched for its effectiveness and safety since the 1970s. It has been proven to be a safe substance with FDA approvals for various medical and cosmetic applications.

A Botox treatment can, in some cases, be combined with other cosmetic procedures such as fillers. When combining it with a treatment that causes a significant skin reaction or swelling, it is advised to postpone the Botox treatment until the skin has recovered. If you have a treatment scheduled with a beautician or skin therapist, it’s recommended to consult with your cosmetic doctor to determine if it could impact your Botox treatment.