After Years of the Same Facial Movements, We Develop Wrinkles

Wrinkles are a part of the normal aging process. If you are bothered by facial lines and wrinkles, one solution is BOTOX® injections at our practice in The Woodlands, TX. BOTOX is practically a household name, and for good reason. It is a safe and effective FDA-approved injectable treatment that minimizes certain facial wrinkles, including crow’s feet and horizontal forehead wrinkles.

Dynamic Wrinkles and BOTOX

Different types of wrinkles develop on our faces as we age. BOTOX targets wrinkles and lines that form due to these repeated facial movements. Such wrinkles are known as dynamic wrinkles or expression lines. Changing expressions throughout our lifetimes causes specific facial muscles to contract and relax over and over again. These expressions and movements include smiling, squinting, frowning, laughing, and chewing. After a time, the facial muscles begin to stay contracted in these positions. This leads to the overlying facial skin displaying fine lines and wrinkles.

BOTOX injections treat these wrinkles. Crow’s feet at the outer corners of the eyes, small vertical lines between the eyebrows, horizontal forehead wrinkles, smoker’s lines above the lips, and chin wrinkles can all be treated with the help of BOTOX.

The active ingredient used in BOTOX is a purified form of botulinum toxin. It has the ability to block nerve signals from reaching targeted muscles. Without these nerve signals, the muscles can’t move (expand/contract) when you use them while smiling or frowning.

When administered in the target area, BOTOX can prevent muscles from moving due to the paralyzing or weakening effect. Without muscle movements, dynamic wrinkles cannot form. After a BOTOX treatment, wrinkles won’t form even when you smile or frown.

On the other hand, dermal fillers restore volume to areas where wrinkles develop as our faces lose tissue and muscle with age. That’s why combining fillers with BOTOX is often the best approach to total facial rejuvenation—often called a “liquid facelift.”

The Treatment Process and Your BOTOX Results

A BOTOX treatment typically takes only 15 minutes to administer. After marking the target areas, the injector applies a topical numbing agent to minimize discomfort. BOTOX injections will then be carefully and precisely administered. You can adjust the treatment according to your comfort level. We use conservative doses of BOTOX to produce results that look natural and avoid the “frozen” appearance that makes many patients wary.

After a BOTOX treatment, you can immediately return to work and your daily schedule. It can take around a week for the full results of BOTOX to appear. Once the results appear, you can expect them to last for about 3 to 4 months. After that, follow-up treatments ensure you continue to enjoy smoother skin.

Certain medicines can interfere with BOTOX treatment. If you use medicines for pain, allergies, or infections, inform your doctor about it. The same precaution applies to herbal supplements and vitamins. If you are pregnant or nursing, ask your doctor about the best time for you to use BOTOX.

If you’re looking for a plastic surgeon or dermatologist in The Woodlands, TX, area for BOTOX injections or other aesthetic treatments, The Gill Center includes board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Gill and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Anita Gill. You can contact us using the online form to request a consultation or call us at  (281) 853-5308 to schedule an appointment.