Dr. Green

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BOTOX® TREATMENT of WRINKLES LINES and EXCESSIVE PERSPIRATION

Botox® is a naturally derived product that is used to reduce the appearance of some unwanted facial expression lines. In addition, Botox® is used to reduce excessive perspiration of the armpits, hands and feet.

 

What is Botox®?

Botox® is naturally derived purified botulinum toxin that is FDA approved to reduce facial expression lines as well as to minimize perspiration. It has been used for medical purposes for more than 2 decades. Botox® is capable of preventing the unwanted facial expression lines that eventually develop into permanent wrinkles and furrows. Sometimes, even wrinkles and furrows at rest, seem to improve or disappear after treatment with Botox®.

 

What is the cause of Facial Expression Lines and Wrinkle Lines?

Facial Expression Lines develop from the movement of the underlying muscles on the overlying skin. Although these lines help us to convey to others a range of emotional states, some facial expression lines always seem to connote fatigue or anger, even if those appearances do not represent how we are feeling. This is especially true of lines of the forehead and between the eyebrows. Other lines, such as crow’s feet, may make us appear older than our chronological age. By the time we are in our 3 rd or 4 th decade and sometimes younger, permanent creases and furrows, known as Wrinkle Lines, develop in the skin along these Facial Expression Lines .

 

What is the cause of excessive perspiration of the armpits, hands or feet?

Normal perspiration is the result of the normal stimulation of sweat glands by nerves that regulate perspiration. Excessive perspiration results from the over-stimulation of the sweat glands by these nerves. Botox® very effectively halts these over-stimulated nerves from signaling the sweat glands to perspire.

 

How does Botox® work?

When the facial expression lines are targeted, Botox® reduces the activity of the nerves that control the facial expression muscles. For the treatment of excessive perspiration of the armpits, hands and feet, Botox® reduces the activity of the nerves that stimulate these sweat glands.

 

What kind of facial lines does Botox® remove?

Prominent facial expression lines, especially horizontal lines on the forehead, vertical lines between the eyebrows, and crow's feet are most dramatically and safely improved with treatment.

 

 

How does Botox® compare to Fillers ?

Botox® and Fillers are used for different purposes. Botox® reduces the activity of the muscles that produce Facial Expression Lines. However, it may not significantly affect those wrinkles and furrows that have already developed and are present in the absence of active facial expression. Filler materials, such as Juvederm®, Cosmoderm®, Restylane®, Radiesse® and fat, treat these at-rest Wrinkles Lines and furrows by plumping up the skin. Although Fillers reduce the appearance of lines when there is no facial expression, the moment that you smile or frown, the lines reappear.

 

How do I know whether I will benefit from Botox® or a Filler for expression lines?

This will depend upon whether you want to treat Facial Expression Lines or Wrinkles Lines. That is, are your lines present at rest (Wrinkles Lines ) or only with facial expression (Facial Expression Lines)? Some people benefit more from Botox® than Fillers while others more from Fillers than Botox®. However, many benefit from a combination of Botox® and a Filler. During a consultation, it will be determined whether Botox®, a Filler or a combination will provide the most benefit to you.

 

How is Botox® administered?

For the treatment of expression lines, a small quantity of this clear, colorless solution is injected directly into the underlying muscles that produce the facial expression lines. Several injections are administered, each one lasting about one second. For the treatment of excessive sweating, the solution is injected just under the skin.

 

Is there any discomfort with treatment?

There is usually mild discomfort at the injection sites - this only lasts for the duration of the injection, which is usually about one second. There is rarely any discomfort or unusual sensation after treatment.

 

How long do the results of Botox® last?

The effects of Botox® are temporary. Reduction in facial expression lines usually lasts for up to 4 months. Reduction in excessive perspiration usually lasts for up to 6 months. When the effect of Botox® wears off, treatment can, again, be administered. There is not limit to the number of times that Botox® can be administered.

 

When can I expect to see results after treatment?

About 24 hours after treatment, reduction of the facial expression lines can be noticed. One to 2 weeks after treatment the maximal benefit is attained. Reduction in perspiration can sometimes be noticed within hours after treatment.

 

How does the skin appear after Botox® ?

Immediately after treatment there may be mild redness and swelling at the treated sites, which usually fades within an hour - although sometimes longer - after treatment. Occasionally there is also mild bruising, which can take a few days to resolve. The skin feels normal and there is no unusual sensation.

 

Are there any limitations after treatment?

No. Immediately after treatment you may resume all normal activities, including strenuous exercise.

 

Are there any risks or side effects?

Side effects from Botox® are rare. Side effects would develop if Botox® affected an adjacent muscle, which was not meant to be treated. In that circumstance it, too, would have reduced activity. This has been reported in about 1% of those treated and, when reported, appears as eyelid drooping. Such undesirable changes are temporary, persisting a few months. Dr Green has not observed this side effect in anyone that he has treated.

 

Can Botox® cause botulism?

No. Extraordinarily small amounts of Botox® are administered. These quantities are insufficient to cause botulism or any related illness.

 

Do you have a question?

You may email your questions to us at: rejuvenate@laserderm.net.

 

Schedule an appointment:

You can schedule an appointment for a consultation by calling the office at: (301) 907-7250

 

*FILLERS FOR WRINKLE LINES, FURROWS, LIPSTICK LINES AND THIN LIPS

Fillers have been successfully used for decades to reduce the appearance of Wrinkle Lines and Facial Expression Lines. Fillers are also effective for plumping thin lips and improving 'lipstick lines' (that is, vertical lines around the upper lip in which lipstick seems to run). Within the past few years, several new fillers have been introduced that provide for a greater variety of treatment options.

What are Fillers?
Fillers are products that are used to reduce the appearance of Wrinkle Lines by adding volume to the skin. Some Fillers have been used for decades or longer. Their effect is achieved by plumping and elevating the skin where lines, grooves or depressions have appeared. The Fillers that are used are FDA approved and considered safe and well tolerated in the skin. A variety of products can be used depending upon the type of lines that are present.

What Filler materials are most commonly used?
There are several biocompatible materials that are used as Fillers. Those most commonly used are Hyaluronans, Juvederm®, Restylane®, Perlane®, Collagen, Zyderm®, Cosmoderm®, Calcium Hydroxylapetite® and transplanted Fat. Both Collagen and Hyaluronans are normal constituents of the skin (that is, the dermis), while Fat is a normal constituent of the subdermis (that is, the tissue directly underneath the dermis).





What is the cause of Facial Expression Lines and Wrinkle Lines?
Facial Expression Lines develop from the movement of the underlying muscles on the overlying skin. Although these lines help us to convey to others a range of emotional states, some facial expression lines always seem to connotate fatigue or anger, even if those appearances do not represent how we are feeling. This is especially true of lines of the forehead and between the eyebrows. Other lines, such as crow's feet, may make us appear older than our chronological age. By the time we are in our 3rd or 4th decade and sometimes younger, permanent creases and furrows, known as Wrinkle Lines, develop along these Facial Expression Lines.

How do Fillers work?
Fillers materials provide bulk to the skin. They elevate and plump up at-rest Wrinkle Lines, grooves, furrows and depressions under which they are placed. Their effect is different than that provided by Botox®, which targets the muscles that produce Facial Expression Lines. It is the repeated movement of these muscles that results in the development of at-rest Wrinkle Lines and furrows.

What kind of facial lines do Fillers treat?
Prominent, deep Wrinkle Lines and furrows respond best to fillers. Most commonly, these include the Nasolabial lines, which run between the sides of the nose and the angle of the mouth; Glabella lines, which appear as vertical lines between the Eyebrows; and horizontal Forehead lines. However, other at-rest lines and furrows and depressed scars can be treated with fillers as well. In addition, Fillers are used to plump up Thin Lips. Fillers can also reduce 'lipstick lines', that is, those vertical lines around the upper lip in which lipstick may 'run'.

How does Botox® compare to Fillers?
Botox® and Fillers are used for different purposes. Botox® reduces the activity of the muscles that produce Facial Expression Lines. However, it may not significantly affect those Wrinkle Lines and furrows that have already developed and are present in the absence of active facial expression. Filler materials, such as Juvederm®, Cosmoderm®, Restylane®, Radiesse® and fat, treat these at-rest Wrinkle Lines and furrows by plumping up the skin. Although Fillers reduce the appearance of lines when there is no facial expression, the moment that you smile or frown, the lines reappear.

How do I know whether I will benefit from Botox® or a Filler for expression lines?
This will depend upon whether you want to treat Facial Expression Lines or Wrinkle Lines. That is, are your lines present at rest (Wrinkle Lines) or only with facial expression (Facial Expression Lines)? Some people benefit more from Botox® than Fillers while others more from Fillers than Botox®. However, many benefit from a combination of Botox® and a Filler. During a consultation, it will be determined whether Botox®, a Filler or a combination will provide the most benefit to you.

How is treatment administered?
The filler material is injected directly under the Wrinkle Line or furrow that you would like to elevate. To plump up thin lips or to reduce 'lipstick lines', the Filler is injected into the lips. Filler treatments take just a few minutes.

Is there any discomfort with treatment?
There is usually mild discomfort at the Filler injection site - this only lasts for the duration of each injection, which is usually a few seconds. Treatment usually takes just a few minutes. If you find the filler treatment uncomfortable, a topical anesthetic cream can be applied 30 minutes prior to treatment. There is rarely any discomfort or unusual sensation after treatment with fillers.

How long do the results of Fillers persist?
All of the naturally occurring Fillers provide temporary improvement in the appearance of at-rest wrinkle line, furrows, scars, lipstick lines and thin lips. The results vary widely - from 3 to 18 months depending on the specific Filler used, the site of treatment and your individual response. In addition, the presence of Botox® may enhance the duration of Fillers. For example, if the Glabella lines (those lines between the eyebrows) are being treated with a Filler, the duration of benefit may persist longer if Botox® was administered as well. When the effect of the Filler wears off another treatment can be administered. There is no limit to the number of Filler treatments that one can receive.

Which Filler is best for me?
During a consultation, it will be determined which Filler would be most appropriate for you. This will depend upon the site to be treated, the depth of the Wrinkle Line or scar and the duration of benefit you are looking to achieve. For example, although Radiesse® may persist for up to 18 months it is not appropriate for all treatment areas.

When can I expect to see any results after treatment?
Immediately after the Filler has been placed, the Wrinkle Line, furrow or scar will be elevated. However, often the surrounding skin is somewhat elevated as well. Beginning in one or a few days, the reduction of the Wrinkle Lines and furrows can be appreciated.

How does the skin appear after Fillers?
Immediately after treatment with a Filler the skin appears pink and mildly swollen. Often the surrounding skin is elevated as well. This usually fades within a few hours to a few days - although sometimes longer - after treatment. Rarely mild bruising can develop. Initially, the skin feels 'full' for a short time but there is, otherwise, no unusual sensation.

Are there any limitations after treatment?
No. Immediately after treatment with a Filler you may resume all normal activities, including strenuous exercise.

Are there any risks or side effects?
Side effects such as an allergic reaction are rarely or never seen, depending upon the Filler. The Hyaluronans (Juvederm®, Restylane®, Perlane®) are fully compatible with the naturally occurring hyaluronans in the skin. They are considered so safe and non-allergenic that no prior skin-testing is recommended or required. The Collagens are, likewise, compatible with the naturally occurring collagen in the skin. However, some Collagen products require skin testing (Zyderm®) and others (Cosmoderm®) do not. Radiesse®, although not a natural constituent of the skin, requires no prior skin testing.

Do you have a question?
You may E-mail your questions to us at: rejuvenate@laserderm.net.

Schedule an appointment:
You can schedule an appointment for a consultation by calling the office at: 301-850-7350