Botox and Xeomin
Cosmetic botulinum toxin injections, the most popular of which is BOTOX® Cosmetic, are used to temporarily reduce or eliminate the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. Also referred to as “neurotoxins” or just “Botox,” botulinum toxin injections block the nerve signals to the muscle where it was injected. Without the signal, the muscle is not able to contract, resulting in a smoothing effect of the nearby wrinkles over time. Typically botulinum toxin is used to smooth crow’s feet, forehead furrows, lip lines, and frown lines.
The Procedure
Botulinum toxin treatment usually takes less than 30 minutes. A very thin needle is used to pinpoint the specific muscles where the injections will take place. The total number of injections you will need depends on the severity of the wrinkles you would like addressed. Your results should last for 6 to 9 months, and there is no downtime for botulinum toxin injections. Your only restriction is to avoid rubbing or massaging the injected area for 24 hours, as the neurotoxin can migrate to surrounding areas, causing temporary weakness or drooping.