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BOTOX® helps reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles that form when you smile, frown or make other expressions. Nurse practitioner Michelle Frank has special expertise and experience in BOTOX injections, helping patients at Esprit Health Clinic in Sidney, MT, look and feel their best.
BOTOX is a neuromuscular agent that works by blocking nerve signaling between facial muscles and the brain. Some wrinkles form as a result of facial movements like smiling or frowning. These movements involve muscles that tug on the overlying skin, causing it to fold and crease. When BOTOX is injected into the facial muscles, it inhibits the release of a chemical necessary for nerve signaling so muscles do not receive messages from the brain telling them to contract and lines and wrinkles can’t form.
No, BOTOX is only used to treat dynamic wrinkles that form as a result of facial movements. The most common uses include treatment of crow’s feet (the lines that extend from the corners of the eyes), forehead lines and frown lines (vertical lines that form between the brows when frowning). Wrinkles that form as a result of sun damage and other age-related changes must be treated with other methods, including injectable fillers. These wrinkles are called static wrinkles because they are not caused by muscle movement.
BOTOX uses very fine needles, much thinner than the needles used for immunizations, and any discomfort is very minimal. Ice may be applied before injection to numb the skin, and most sessions take just a few minutes to complete. Once treatment is complete, it’s important not to rub the area right away to ensure the solution remains in the treatment zone for maximum benefits.
Yes, BOTOX has been used for many years to treat dynamic wrinkles, and it’s approved by the FDA. Although BOTOX does use a toxin to temporarily prevent muscle contractions, the dose used is very, very tiny and highly regulated. BOTOX is also used to treat medical conditions like excess sweating and facial spasms.
Most patients find their results last about four months, and touch-up treatments can be used to enable results to last indefinitely. Many patients find regular injections soften wrinkles over time so more time can elapse between reinjections.
