Whether you have never had a cosmetic treatment in your life or you are a regular fixture at your plastic surgeon’s office, you have likely heard of Botox. This tried-and- true anti-aging treatment has been turning back the clock for decades and continues to be one of the most popular treatment options in the offices of plastic surgeons worldwide. More than seven million Botox injections were performed in the U.S. in 2016 alone, according to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. There are many reasons why this procedure is still a frequent request at Rodeo Surgical Art today.
HOW DOES BOTOX WORK?
Botox is a prescription medication that contains slight amounts of the botulinum toxin. When this formulation is injected directly into muscles, it blocks nerve impulses to those muscles, relaxing them and minimizing muscular contraction. As the muscles become less active, the wrinkles caused by those muscles are also smoothed away. You enjoy fewer lines and a more youthful appearance without compromising your ability to make natural facial expressions.
PROVEN SAFETY
The FDA approved Botox for cosmetic purposes in 2002, but it was used long before that as a medical treatment for a variety of nerve and eye conditions. In 1989, the medication was first approved for treatment of eyelid spasms, also known as blepharospasm or uncontrollable eye twitching. In 2000, the approval was extended to the treatment of cervical dystonia, a painful disorder that causes unnatural head and neck positioning. Today, Botox continues to be used on the medical front to treat chronic migraines, overactive bladder and Bell’s palsy, among other conditions.
Its long track record in the medical realm has now been shadowed by its effectiveness in reversing signs of aging. In the 15 years since its cosmetic approval, Botox has been shown to be one of the safest ways to smooth away wrinkles and other aging symptoms to temporarily create a more youthful appearance.
FEW SIDE EFFECTS
No medical treatment is without some risk or possibility of side effects, but the issues associated with Botox are relatively mild and short-lived. Some patients do experience bruising or swelling around the injection sites, which typically dissipates within a matter of days. There is also a slight chance of drooping around the injection area, but this risk is nearly non-existent with an experienced injector. Also, the effects of Botox are temporary, lasting an average of four months, so if you aren’t pleased with your new look, you won’t be sporting it forever.
VERSATILE TREATMENT
What started out as a procedure limited to smooth away wrinkles around the forehead and between the eyebrows has expanded to a full spectrum of cosmetic improvements. In addition to the forehead and glabellar lines, Dr. Mashhadian at Rodeo Surgical Art offers Botox injections to treat the following concerns:
- Fine lines around the lips, known as lipstick or smoker’s lines
- Drooping brow that leads to a perpetually weary, aged appearance
- Crease across the top of the nasal bridge, known as bunny nose
- Subtle lines around and underneath the eyes
- Gummy smile caused by raised, thinning upper lip
- Horizontal line underneath the nose
- Horizontal bands around the neck
- Jawline that is too broad or defined (in female patients)
When you come in for your initial consultation, Dr. Mashhadian will evaluate your concerns and listen to your aesthetic goals to determine whether Botox is the best treatment option for you. He also offers a wide range of dermal filler treatments, which can be used in combination with Botox to produce the best possible results.
COST-EFFECTIVE
Compared to surgical procedures that involve anesthesia and an operating room, the simplicity of Botox injections also makes this a cost-effective treatment for many patients. While you will need to repeat the treatment regularly to maintain your positive results, surgeons like Dr. Mashhadian offer special packages on Botox and other recurrent enhancements to make them as affordable as possible.
QUICK AND PAINLESS
Botox injections take just a few minutes to complete. In fact, your initial consultation will likely require more time than the treatment itself! While the injections are not completely painless, they are relatively comfortable compared to other cosmetic procedures. Once your appointment is over, you will be able to resume activities immediately since there is no required downtime after Botox. In nearly all cases, no one will even know you just had a cosmetic treatment performed. You can schedule your appointment during your lunch hour and return to work right away with no one knowing where you spent your time away from the office!
LONG-TERM BENEFITS
Botox produces temporary results that last between three and five months for most patients. However, if you remain on track with your treatment schedule, you may find you can start to go longer between injections over time. It is possible that regular use of the medication will “train” your muscles to relax so you can maintain your more youthful appearance longer. Some individuals also begin their Botox injections at a younger age to ward off more significant signs of aging in the future.
EXPERIENCED INJECTOR, SUPERIOR RESULTS
To ensure the safest Botox procedure and the best possible results, it is vital that you select a plastic surgeon experienced in this treatment. When you choose Rodeo Surgical Art for your Botox injections, you will receive a complete skin evaluation and examination performed by Dr. Mashhadian. Instead of entrusting your procedure to a nurse or technician, Dr. Mashhadian is directly involved in all the Botox treatments done in his office, to ensure his patients receive the highest level of care and a superior outcome. His expertise also allows for treatment of a broader range of concerns, giving his patients even more anti-aging options from this single medication.
