What causes frown lines and crow’s feet?
Frown lines and crow’s feet are what doctors refer to as “dynamic” wrinkles, meaning that they are caused bu the repetitive movement of an underlying muscle. As we age, our skin becomes less tight, and repetitive movement cause by facial expressions such as smiling, squinting, or worrying, eventually cause our skin to crease and wrinkle.
What are Neurotoxins and How do They Work?
When you laugh, frown, or smile, your muscles create temporary wrinkles in your skin that deepen over time. Neurotoxins are compounds that help relax those muscles leading to a visible smoothening of the skin and a more youthful appearance.
How do Wrinkle Relaxers Reduce the Signs of Aging?
Wrinkle relaxers are purified forms of the botulinum toxin. The medicine in injected in minuscule amounts into the appropriate muscle causing the muscle to read, thus diminishing the dynamic wrinkle. Wrinkle relaxers have been used by Doctors for over 15 years and they are the chosen non-surgical treatment to reverse signs of aging.
Will my Face Look Overdone or Unnatural?
Wrinkle relaxers placed by the expert Physicians at St. Petersburg Skin and Laser will deliver subtle results to reveal smoother skin. You will look like yourself- only more youthful and refreshed.
Will I Still Have My Normal Facial Expressions?
Yes! After treatment, patients can still frown and smile, but the expression wrinkles around the eyes and forehead, lips, chin, and neck are diminished. Normal facial expression is unaffected. Therapy with wrinkle relaxers is very natural and more treated patients feel that they have a more wide-eyed, rested, and more youthful appearance.
What Can I Expect During the Procedure?
Treatment with wrinkle relaxers is with a small injection to the affected areas. Most patients describe the injection as feeling something like a small bug bite. Treatment is performed in a matter of minutes and patients may return to their normal daily activities right after the procedure.
Will Injections Hurt?
Most patients tolerate neurotoxin injections because we use the smallest possible needles. However, we do offer numbing cream to apply before the procedure to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible.
Are There Any Side Effects?
The most common side effect is temporary bruising at the injection site. This goes away in a couple of days and can be covered with makeup. In rare cases, the medicine can migrate and cause a drooping eyelid. This is also temporary. Our Physicians will discuss with you at length any side effects that can be caused by wrinkle relaxers.
How Soon Will I See Results?
The effects of wrinkle relaxers become apparent in 3-5 days and have the full effect at 14 days after treatment.
How Long do the Treatments Last?
Wrinkle relaxers can correct wrinkles for 3-4 months on average. With repeated injections, some patients may experience treatments that last longer.
Can Wrinkle Relaxers Be Used with Other Facial Rejuvenation Procedures?
Yes! Wrinkle relaxers are the ideal adjunct treatment to other facial rejuvenation procedures, including laser skin resurfacing, dermal fillers, microneedling, etc. Our Physicians will be happy to discuss all facial rejuvenation options with you and create a customized plan for you.
When Should I start Getting Wrinkle Relaxers?
Although this is a personal choice, we believe that when you start to notice fine lines on your face at rest, it may a good time to start getting neurotoxins. This can help prevent deeper wrinkles from forming and preserve a youthful appearance. Neurotoxins, along with excellent sun protection and a high quality skin care regimen, can keep you looking young and radiant.
What should I Do After I get Neurotoxin Treatment?
You should not bend over, lay flat, workout, or wear
tight head accessories or hats for at least 4 hours post-treatment. Wrinkle
Relaxers can take up to 72 hours to begin working, and results are often visible
in five to seven days. However, the final result is seen 14 days after the
treatment.
It is possible that after treatment you may experience minor redness, bruising,
swelling, itching, or tenderness in the area near the injection. You’ll need to
avoid scratching, massaging, or picking around the injection site.
After the treatment you make take acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help with pain if
necessary but you should not take blood thinners such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or
Motrin. You should also not drink alcohol as, like with other blood thinners, it
can cause bruising.