Botulinum Toxin, better known in the world of facial plastics as BOTOX Cosmetic, is a treatment involving a series of injections that reduces the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. The treatment is designed to treat dynamic wrinkles, or those associated with certain facial expressions. The injection relaxes the underlying muscle, preventing the muscle contraction and the related skin crease. BOTOX provides long-term results and is an excellent nonsurgical aesthetic option, performed in-office by Dr. Buckingham’s Nurse Injectors at the Buckingham Center of Austin, Texas.
What is BOTOX Cosmetic?
BOTOX is a prescription substance that is expertly injected into muscles to alleviate dynamic wrinkles and soften the obvious signs of aging. The procedure is customized to provide natural results. BOTOX ensures less active facial muscles at rest, so the face does not produce constant wrinkles.
BOTOX Cosmetic is composed of a natural, purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. Low, diluted doses of this product are administered through injection into overactive muscles, blocking the nerve signals that cause contractions. Botulinum Toxin Cosmetic works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the injected muscles. The effects of BOTOX are safe as they do not typically migrate from the treatment site.
Why Undergo BOTOX Injections?
While Dr. Buckingham also performs surgical procedures like the Limited Incision Facelift and Endoscopic Forehead Lift, some patients prefer a less invasive treatment option. The injection series appeals to those who do not yet display advanced signs of aging or may not be physically well enough to undergo a more serious surgical procedure. There is usually no downtime associated with BOTOX sessions, which is convenient for busy modern lifestyles.
BOTOX Cosmetic has been cleared by the FDA for cosmetic use and was extensively tested prior to the decision. The product is safe when used properly, and it can dramatically change a maturing appearance. Because it is highly localized and administered intramuscularly, the effects are usually confined to the region of injection, and BOTOX Cosmetic does not remain in your body indefinitely. The results typically remain for about four months, at which point injections must be re-administered. It should be noted that patients with skin laxity may not benefit as greatly as those with a firmer tone.
Candidates for BOTOX Treatments
Women and men looking to rejuvenate their facial features through a nonsurgical method may find that they can reach their aesthetic goals through BOTOX injections. Patients with frown lines, smile lines, crow’s feet, forehead creases, and other dynamic wrinkles will see dramatic differences in the texture of their skin in the days following a treatment. Prospective patients may be restricted from this treatment and provided alternative cosmetic options if they have weakened facial muscles, certain chronic conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease, or skin issues like scarring near areas to be injected. To determine if a patient is a good candidate for BOTOX Cosmetic, Dr. Buckingham recommends a private consultation.
Accompanying Procedures
BOTOX Cosmetic can be performed as a standalone treatment to combat the signs of aging or as part of a combination treatment plan. While BOTOX can affect the muscles responsible for dynamic wrinkles, the injections will not add volume to the face. Juvederm, Radiesse, and Restylane are dermal injections that actually fill depressed areas of the face or restore fullness to the cheeks or lips. In other cases, patients may opt to undergo a minimally invasive surgery such as a Forehead Lift or Lower Face Lift. Ablative or Non-Ablative Laser skin resurfacing, which treats deeper layers to promote the regeneration of collagen, can also be part of an anti-aging aesthetic plan.
Common BOTOX Questions and Answers
Do BOTOX injections hurt?
There is minimal discomfort associated with this procedure. Dr. Buckingham and his nurse injectors use a small gauge needle to ensure accuracy, and typically perform the treatment in less than 30 minutes. If requested, patients can be numbed topically with ice or a special cream. Following the injections, patients should not feel any pain.
Will discontinuing treatments exacerbate the look of lines and wrinkles?
When a patient no longer undergoes BOTOX sessions, the creases of the skin will eventually revert back to their pre-treatment appearance and will become progressively more noticeable over time. This is the natural course of aging skin, and BOTOX will not negatively impact its condition.
How do patients avoid the “frozen” look?
Dr. Buckingham explains what changes he can create within the face, and patients provide feedback on their needs. The nurse injector injects the correct amount in each site to provide the intended results. Some patients ask for extreme changes to the face, though the doctor prefers a more natural look. Once BOTOX has been injected, its results cannot be reversed, so the nurse injector tends to treat conservatively with this substance. Patients will not lose the ability to express their emotions.
Who should administer BOTOX Cosmetic?
Any authorized health care professional can administer BOTOX Cosmetic, but cosmetic physicians are generally more experienced. Dr. Buckingham has over 10 years of experience using Botulinum Toxin Cosmetic and has developed excellent aesthetic techniques.
What are other uses for BOTOX, aside from facial injections?
BOTOX injections can treat wrinkles in the jaw and neck as well as the face, muscle spasms and hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating. Spasms may occur in the eye and neck areas, while sweating is common in the underarms and on the soles of the feet.
Are results immediate?
Patients generally notice the improvements produced by the treatment one week after the visit to Buckingham Center. The smoother skin will remain for approximately four months, so the injections must be repeated at these intervals.
What is the difference between Botox and Dermal Injections?
As previously mentioned, Botox is administered to the underlying muscles of affected skin to minimize wrinkles from occurring at rest and with facial movements. Dermal injections are used as a filler or plumping treatment, where the substance adds volume to lines, creating a more uniform facial plane. These two different types of injections can be performed in conjunction, though the doctor will determine if this is possible during one treatment session. Both Botox and dermal injections are effective, albeit temporary solutions to facial rejuvenation.
Schedule a Consultation
Dr. Edward D. Buckingham of the Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery is a skilled practitioner in aesthetic medicine in Austin, Texas. He is double board certified by The American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and The American Board of Otolaryngology. The doctor specializes in facial plastics and offers a variety of surgical and nonsurgical treatments to provide services to a wide patient base.
Begin your treatment with Dr. Buckingham by scheduling a consultation with him at his Austin practice. It is during this initial meeting that prospective patients can explain their physical concerns to the doctor and learn about the different ways to correct them. Dr. Buckingham may follow up with scans, lab work, or other measures to ensure a person is well enough to undergo a particular treatment.
Contact the doctor by email through the Patient Contact Form, or by phone at 512-401-2500.
