THE PROCEDURE
Before
Upon your arrival, Dr. Colvin will sit down with you to understand your concerns and analyze your muscle structure and symmetry. He’ll explain the procedures available and how they work to achieve your desired results. Finally, if BOTOX® or Dysport® is right for you, Dr. Colvin will walk you through the recommended areas of injection. BOTOX® is not recommended for patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
During
A consultation and procedure can often occur in the same 30-minute appointment. With a highly skilled injector like Dr. Colvin, BOTOX® is administered fairly quickly and painlessly. The amount you will need depends on the strength of your muscles and Dr. Colvin determines the right number of units to achieve your desired result. BOTOX® produces a slight pin-prick sensation and most patients feel little to no discomfort.
After
Botox is considered a lunchtime procedure as there is little to no downtime. Tiny mosquito-like bites appear at the site of injection, but fade within the hour. Results begin to show in a couple of days and develop gradually over the course of two weeks. An appointment for new patients is suggested two weeks post procedure so Dr. Colvin can access the outcome and make any necessary adjustments. Results typically last 3-4 months.
AREAS TREATED
Bunny Lines
Those fine lines that appear on your upper nose when you laugh, smile, or squint unfortunately leave their mark. BOTOX® smooths out those lines and prevents them from deepening further, allowing you to laugh without worry!
Glabellar
Describing the area between the eyes, this is Dr. Colvin’s favorite place to inject BOTOX®. It gets rid of scowl lines and creates a natural look, easing appearance of a negative expression and opening up eyebrows by relaxing the muscles.
Lateral Brow Lift
Dr. Colvin’s’ signature treatment, he likes to inject this area in conjunction with the glabellar. This subtly elevates the eyebrows for simultaneously refreshed and natural look– an often challenging result for inexperienced BOTOX® injectors.
Crows Feet
Each time you smile or squint, the muscles around your eyes contract and repeatedly form fine lines that fan out at their outer edges. BOTOX® simply prevents these muscles from contracting while simultaneously opening up the eye for a youthful expression.
Under Eye
BOTOX® helps with the wrinkles and the bunchiness that can form under your eye as you age. It will also help create symmetry between the two eyes. If one eye is larger than the other, BOTOX® can be injected under the smaller one to help open it up, creating more symmetry.
Forehead Furrows
BOTOX® injected into this area is the most technically difficult area to inject: the key is to maintain the eyebrows’ natural architecture while still minimizing forehead lines. This is where Dr. Colvin’s expertise really shines.
Vertical Lip Lines
Injecting BOTOX® in the area below the nose and above the lip rids your skin of those pesky vertical lines. An incidental advantage of getting BOTOX® here is that it slightly rolls the top lip outward, creating the illusion of a fuller lip without actually adding volume.
Corners of Mouth
The muscle that causes the drooping creases flanking the corners of your mouth can be directly injected and immediately relaxed. This repositions the corners of the mouth upwards, creating not just a youthful appearance, but a more positive resting expression.
Jaw Slimming
BOTOX® injections into the the lower jaw muscle have both cosmetic and physical benefits. When this muscle weakens, it helps contour your facial profile by giving a square face more delicate, ovular qualities. Additionally, the relaxation of this muscle provides relief for those who struggle with jaw clenching.
Chin
In addition to smoothing lines and wrinkles, BOTOX® injections in this area can help mitigate chin dimpling and reduce the severity of mental creases. For some, the lengthening it creates can help bring symmetry and proportion back to the shape of your face.
Neck
BOTOX® injected into the neck area treats necklace lines, “turkey neck”, and can create the desired “Nefertiti lift”. The resulting relaxed neck muscles reduce that saggy jaw, soften neck bands, and create an overall appearance of elongation.
Underarm
Severe underarm sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis, is a bothersome and embarrassing condition you don’t have to live with. BOTOX® injected into the armpit area blocks the nerves responsible for activating your sweat glands. Many patients find that the significant sweat reduction improves their quality of life.
More information
Frequently Asked Questions
+ What is in BOTOX®, and why does it work?
BOTOX® Cosmetic’s active ingredient is a purified and safe form of a bacterial protein called botulinum toxin A. It is a non-surgical, physician-administered serum that can temporarily alleviate moderate to severe facial lines and wrinkles caused by repeated muscle activity. BOTOX® reduces that activity by permeating those muscles via a few tiny injections with proteins that block nerve impulses from reaching them. This forces the muscle to relax, smoothing out the skin that rests on top. Your body naturally disposes the protein over the course of 3 to 4 months. Clients who follow doctor recommendations and repeat the treatments every few months typically see longer-lasting results.
+ How much BOTOX® will I need?
During your consultation at SKIN Medical Spa, Dr. Colvin will determine how many units are needed to treat the desired area. Different areas require different amounts of units. For example, the area between the eyebrows and around the eyes will typically require more units than the forehead. The number of units is what determines the effectiveness of your injections as well as the cost of your procedure. Men usually have larger and stronger muscles, and thus may require more units.
+ Who will be my injector?
Dr. Colvin personally conducts all injections of BOTOX®/Dysport® and fillers. As a physician and injector trainer himself, he ensures the highest, most consistent quality for every single patient.
+ Are there potential side effects?
Most patients experience little to no side effects. There might be slight redness and swelling at the injection site. This looks similar to a mosquito bite and usually goes away in 5 to 10 minutes. Small bruises are possible but not frequent with an experienced injector like Dr. Colvin. Should they occur, they’ll dissipate within 7 days.
+ What are the differences between Dysport® and BOTOX®?
Dysport® is an injectable cosmetic derived from the same active ingredient as BOTOX®, and thus works similarly. They both contain botulinum type A which, when injected, works to relax the muscles that cause frown lines and other overactive muscles of the face. Because Dysport® and BOTOX® are such similar products, we discuss them interchangeably. Their nominal differences can be discussed with Dr. Colvin during your consultation, and he will work with you to decide which product is best for you.
+ Are there other benefits associated with BOTOX®?
BOTOX® is not only used to remove wrinkles, but it is also used to treat severe underarm sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis. Results can typically last 3-6 months or longer. In addition, BOTOX® can be used to treat chronic jaw pain and migraines.
+ Is there any reason BOTOX® wouldn’t be right for me?
Most anyone can get BOTOX® and this wrinkle treatment has become extremely popular. Men or women can get BOTOX® injections but the units used will likely vary.
There are some candidate restrictions to receiving BOTOX® injections. We will not perform the procedure if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
+ Is BOTOX® appropriate for everyone?
Dr. Colvin uses BOTOX® on patients of all age ranges (above 18 years of age), on both males and females. While many assume BOTOX® is only for those already experiencing visibly deep wrinkles, it can also be used as a preventative in that it delays the formation of those lines. Consider how your facial muscles constantly contract and release. If they are instead forced to relax from a younger age, they are unable to form those lines and wrinkles in the first place. As such, BOTOX® works to prevent their formation rather than correct them after the fact. It’s kind of like BOTOX® slows the aging of your face by relaxing the muscles underneath.