If you think back to your days in elementary school, you might remember the one teacher who the kids all thought was mean. While you might have done your best to avoid that teacher then, it could have been that the reason all the kids thought he or she was mean was due to frown lines on her forehead. She might have been happy as a clam. According to RealSelf, more and more women who care for children are seeking out Botox injections these days. Teachers and childcare workers have been getting Botox because their students or charges think they look angry. Whether you spend your days taking care of kids or not, if you’re tired of people asking what’s wrong or why you look upset, Botox can provide a quick, albeit temporary, solution to your problem.
Dynamic Lines with Modern Botox
The two vertical lines that develop on your forehead, between the eyebrows, are known as dynamic lines. You only get them because of repeated movements over time. Not everyone develops frown lines, it all depends on how your facial muscles move. Although at first, dynamic wrinkles only appear when your muscles move, as time goes on, the wrinkles become etched in your face and appear even when you’re not moving. That’s why it might look like you’re frowning even when you’re not.
What Botox Does
Botox injections help reduce the appearance of frown lines by blocking the signals sent by the nerves to the facial muscles. Botox is a brand name, there are actually a few different types of injections that contain botulinum toxin and that work in similar ways. When the substance is injected into a specific area of the face, the muscle is unable to contract, so your face is unable to form dynamic wrinkles. Botox only affects the areas that are treated. You will still be able to move other parts of your face and won’t end up with a “frozen” look.
What to Expect During Your Botox Appointment
The actual treatment time for Botox is relatively quick. In many cases, the injections can be performed in less than 15 minutes. If you have other lines on your face that aren’t caused by muscle movements, such as static wrinkles by your mouth or nose, you may decide to receive a dermal filler, such as Juvéderm, at the same time as the Botox. During the treatment, the surgeon will inject the substance in the appropriate areas. How many injections you need depends on what’s being treated. It’s common for the frown lines to need about five injections of Botox. The treatment doesn’t provide instant results. Instead, the lines will slowly fade over the course of the next few days. You will typically see final results after about a week. In most cases, the results from Botox last anywhere from three to 12 months. You can receive additional injections after a few months to keep your face looking happy.
Important Things to Know
While Botox is quick and nearly painless, there are a few things you should know about the treatment. It’s important not to rub the area right after the injection, as doing so could potentially push the substance into another part of your face, causing drooping eyelids, vision problems or trouble breathing. Less serious side effects from the injection include redness, swelling and bruising.
Other Options
Botox is the quickest way to make your face look more approachable and friendly. But, if you want something more permanent, surgery is another option. The brow lift procedure often involves removing or tightening certain muscles between the eyes to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. The surgery typically has a recovery time of about a week, so it may not be an option if you can’t take a lot of time off from your schedule. Schedule a consultation today or visit us in person at one of our southeastern Wisconsin locations in Delafield, Madison, Mequon, Middleton and Sheboygan to learn more.
