Fine lines and wrinkles can appear at any point in life as we get older, and while the aging process is unavoidable, these issues can often be treated effectively with BOTOX Denver CO. As the most popular injectable of its kind, this therapy is versatile, as well as safe, and we offer it here at Murphy Plastic Surgery in Englewood, CO. Although the effects aren’t instant, they normally occur quickly and can last a long time once the full results are seen.

How Quickly Do You See Results From BOTOX Denver CO?

While the full effects of this treatment typically take one to two weeks to be noticed, many patients see the first effects within just a few days. Before you notice lines and wrinkles responding to this treatment, you may experience a relaxed feeling in treated areas of the face that previously held tension.

People hold stress in different areas of the body, including the face, and the muscles in these areas can become tight, stiff, and enlarged. Muscles that have been experiencing tension for some time often respond more slowly to this medication, which is one reason why some patients see the results a bit later than others.

How Does BOTOX Denver CO Treat Fine Lines and Wrinkles?

As we age, our skin begins to show obvious signs of this, such as lines on the forehead, between the eyes, and around the outer areas of the eyes. This is normally caused by a combination of muscle movements related to facial expressions and a decline in collagen production. Collagen is one of the important proteins that help to give our skin its tight, aesthetic texture, but with older age, our bodies gradually produce smaller amounts of this protein.

Once collagen levels begin to decline, facial expressions can then cause wear and tear on our skin, as the skin can no longer recover as quickly from the movements of the muscles beneath it. By blocking the release of neurotransmitters, this medication helps to give the skin a break from these types of movements, so it’s no longer being moved around into the positions that cause many skin imperfections.

Dynamic vs. Static Lines: What’s the Difference?

Facial lines can develop for different reasons, and they can differ in severity between those that appear only when making facial expressions and those that remain visible all the time. These two types of lines, dynamic and static, are distinguished in the following ways:

Dynamic Lines

If you have lines that only show up when you’re smiling, frowning, or making other expressions, these are known as dynamic lines because they typically go away when you relax your face. Dynamic lines can appear at virtually any age, so even if you’re in your 20s or 30s, chances are you’ve developed some dynamic lines already.

Static Lines

If there are lines on your face that are visible at all times, even if they’re much more noticeable when making facial expressions, these are called static lines. When the skin becomes damaged due to excessive sun exposure, aging, or other causes, lines that were once dynamic can then become static because the skin can’t bounce back to its relaxed state quite as easily after making facial expressions.

Which Type of Lines Is BOTOX Denver CO Most Effective For?

This therapy can be effective for both dynamic and static lines, though it’s much more effective at treating dynamic ones because it relaxes facial muscles, which heavily contribute to the appearance of these lines. In some cases, it can still work for static lines, though these often require other types of treatments, and we can determine which approach might work best for you during your consultation.

How Does the Treatment Process Work?

After a quick consultation, we can begin your treatment session by injecting BOTOX Denver CO into the target muscles, and each muscle will typically receive anywhere between one to six injections. This process is normally painless other than possibly a very quick stinging sensation that goes away quickly after the needle is removed, and the whole process usually only takes about 10 minutes for most patients.

Will I Have to Rest After My Treatment Session?

Because this treatment is minimally invasive and simply relaxes muscles, you won’t have to rest after your treatment session, and you can resume most of your regular activities immediately. You also won’t have to worry about having someone drive you home afterward, as the entire process is carried out as an outpatient treatment while you’re fully awake and without the use of sedatives.

However, to ensure that you receive excellent results with this treatment, we’ll recommend that you take just a few precautions during the first 48 hours after treatment, such as avoiding excessive heat exposure, alcohol, certain medications, and strenuous exercise.

How Long Can I Expect the Results to Last?

Once this treatment takes full effect, you can expect the results to last many months. Most patients don’t need to return for touchup treatments for at least three to four months, and those who have been receiving treatments for years typically experience even longer-lasting effects.

After many years of treatments, the skin and muscles often become more responsive to this treatment. This can be due to a combination of both the collagen-stimulating effects of this therapy and the fact that it can retrain the facial muscles to stay relaxed long after the medication has started to wear off. When this happens, the effects can last a bit longer before needing additional treatments.

What Is the Best Age to Start This Treatment At?

BOTOX® can be effective at virtually any age, and there’s always the option of getting either corrective treatments, which are once in a while and as needed, or preventative treatments that are performed regularly every three to four months. Regardless of how old you are, preventive treatments can be beneficial, though the benefits of this approach are normally more obvious when getting started at an early age.

Younger than 40

Those who are in their twenties or 30s still have plenty of time to reap the benefits of preventative treatments. While some imperfections may appear at these ages, such as forehead lines, most haven’t fully developed yet, so there’s still a chance to prevent those that aren’t visible yet.

Older than 40

Those who are in their 40s or older likely have many lines and wrinkles already, but collagen levels are still declining at these ages, so some preventative benefits can still be gained with this treatment. For example, patients in their 40s may have lines in one area, such as around the eyes or between the eyebrows, but not yet in other areas.

How Safe Is This Therapy?

The safety profile for BOTOX® has been well-established, and it’s been used in clinical settings throughout the world for over 30 years now. With millions of people regularly using it, there are very few reports of any significant side effects occurring, and because it wears off over time, its temporary effects help to make it safer than surgery and other forms of treatment.

It’s highly precise as well, as we can target specific muscles without affecting others in the same area. Also, because only small needles are used, there are no incisions involved or anything else that would require a recovery period or downtime.

Will BOTOX® Affect My Facial Expressions?

Although this medication works by paralyzing muscles, you’ll still be able to make facial expressions, though in a way that puts less physical stress on the skin. Others won’t notice this difference after treatment, but if they know your true age, you may receive compliments about how young you look for your age.

This therapy gives a natural look because it simply relaxes your muscles and doesn’t change your bone structure or cause any permanent physical changes to your appearance. Some worry that this medication can cause their face to look frozen, which isn’t the case when scheduling your treatment with us because we’re highly experienced with using this medication and only apply conservative amounts.

Schedule With Us Today

Although it can sometimes take a few weeks for the full effects of BOTOX® to start, once they do, most patients are pleasantly surprised with just how effective this treatment is. Get started on the path toward your aesthetic goals today by contacting us at Murphy Plastic Surgery in Englewood, CO to schedule an appointment.