Have you caught yourself looking in the mirror and finding that those wrinkles that once didn’t bother you all of a sudden look deeper?  Do people ask you if you are upset because they notice frown lines in your forehead? Are you getting tension headaches from straining the muscles of your face? Well, you’re not alone.

As millions of Americans age, they find themselves looking for that fountain of youth. Well it might be as close as your nearest plastic surgeons office. Various drug companies along with physicians have developed products to help diminish signs of aging. One of those products has made its way into the everyday  vocabulary and that product is BOTOX.

BOTOX is a purified protein made from a toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. By blocking the nerve signals to the muscles of your face, BOTOX works to weaken those same muscles that cause frown lines and wrinkles. The procedure consists of multiple small injections of the toxin into the problem muscles. Areas in which it is commonly used are the forehead, the brows, the crow’s feet around the eyes as well as other specific targeted areas. It has become a common procedure in many physician offices as it can be done in a short period of time on an outpatient basis.  The effects of a BOTOX injection generally last 3-4 months , therefore repeat injections are required as maintenance.
With its popularity increasing, the misuse of BOTOX has also risen. Many patients go in for the procedure with misconceptions about what BOTOX can do for them. BOTOX is very useful for early signs of aging such as forehead lines, frown lines, crow’s feet and mild brow elevation caused by muscle overactivity. What BOTOX is not useful for is filling in wrinkles, improving skin quality or the tightening of loose skin.  These conditions may require other treatments such as injectable fillers, laser therapy or even cosmetic surgery.

In the process of finding yourself a qualified provider, it is necessary to get a full facial assessment prior to committing to several sessions of BOTOX injections. Many patients go into the procedure with the misconception that BOTOX is the answer to all of their problems. They do this not knowing what other options may be available to them.   It is essential that anyone considering BOTOX should at least have a full facial evaluation by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to see if in fact BOTOX is right for you. Many a times having this initial simple evaluation can save you a significant financial and emotional burden.  By visiting your plastic surgeon he or she can determine if BOTOX is enough to reverse your aging or if a more definitive procedure is required to keep you looking young.

Only you and your plastic surgeon can together formulate a comprehensive plan to help keep you looking your best.  Go in and see your doctor today to determine if BOTOX is right for you.

Contributed by:
R. Asokan, MD, Navinderdeep Nijher, MD, James Rogers, MD, and Leonik Ahumada, MD of Ocala Plastic Surgery in Ocala, Florida