You know you’re ready for a little pick-me-up, but which treatment is right for you? It’s a question many people start to ask when they start seeing the telltale signs of aging—wrinkles, brown spots, fine lines, and other cosmetic problems. These signs of aging are normal, but they can really affect your self-esteem, confidence, and attitude. Plus, they can make you look tired or grumpy when that’s not the case! If you’d like to do something about your signs of aging, then you might be considering a treatment like laser skin resurfacing or Botox: gentle treatments that produce great results with no surgery and very little downtime. But which treatment is best for you?
The Basics of Botox
Botox is a classic anti-aging treatment that has been available for decades. It’s one of the most popular cosmetic treatment available, and there are some very good reasons for that popularity. Botox is a wrinkle relaxer, optimized for treating “dynamic” wrinkles (wrinkles caused by repetitive facial movements, such as between the eyebrows or at the corners of the eyes) on a temporary basis. It’s an injectable treatment involving very little discomfort and no downtime. Some people get Botox at lunchtime and head right back to work! Botox works by relaxing the facial muscles in the treated areas, which results in a smoother, more youthful look to the face. Though it’s temporary, this affordable treatment can be a great ongoing solution for facial wrinkles that creep up with age.
Laser Skin Resurfacing: A World of Possibilities
Laser treatments are extremely versatile, and can address a range of different skin conditions. By carefully stimulating the skin to renew cells and produce new collagen, treatments like erbium laser and other light-based therapies can have the following benefits:
- Eliminate brown spots
- Treat enlarged pores
- Repair sun damage
Modern lasers are far more gentle than those used in the past. Today, patients can often return to normal activities almost immediately, with few restrictions or aftercare instructions. Patients will need to protect the skin from the sun while it heals, but there are few side effects, and generally little to no downtime, depending on the treatment. Results typically appear gradually, as the skin has time to renew and repair itself following laser skin resurfacing.
Which Treatment is Right for You?
Botox and laser skin resurfacing are two very different treatments, and the right treatment for you depends heavily on what your goals are. Are you looking for a quick fix to address your wrinkles? Botox could be best. Could your skin use a refresher? Laser treatments might be a better option. Every patient is different, and it’s important for you and your plastic surgeon to come up with a treatment plan that works for you and your needs.
Why Not Both?
If you’re interested in treating both dynamic wrinkles and aging skin, you might want to consider a combination of both treatments! Botox and laser treatments are highly complementary procedures, and you could see impressive results by combining them. If that’s something you’re interested in, you and your surgeon will discuss your goals during your consultation, and decide whether a combination treatment could benefit you.
The Best Option: Talk to a Plastic Surgeon
Once you’ve made the decision to undergo cosmetic treatments, your next step is to talk to an expert. Before you make any firm decisions about what you want, it’s best to schedule your consultation and head to the appointment with an open mind. During your consultation, you’ll get an expert evaluation and learn more about each procedure before you make up your mind. You will also get personalized recommendations and an opportunity to get to know your surgeon prior to the procedure (or procedures!).
If you’re looking for an expert in the Austin area for Botox or laser resurfacing treatments like the erbium laser, come to Buckingham Center and meet with acclaimed facial plastic surgeon Dr. Edward Buckingham. Dr. Buckingham is an experienced facial cosmetic specialist, offering patients great results from a wide range of non-invasive treatments. To learn more, call Buckingham Center at 512.401.2500 to schedule your consultation!
