Botox

Dr. Loftus feels that Botox has been a game changer in plastic surgery. It is a safe medication, with minimal side effects, that we use to improve wrinkles around your eyes, forehead, lips and neck. It gives plastic surgeons an option to make changes that no other treatments can fulfill.

How does Botox work?

Some wrinkles occur because your facial muscles repeatedly fold the skin, causing creases. Botox works by relaxing the muscles that create facial wrinkles, leading to smoother skin. We use a very tiny needle to inject the medicine in specific locations to treat the right muscles. We can use Botox to improve one or multiple areas.

How long does Botox last?

Botox takes about a week to begin working and typically lasts 3-4 months. Botox can be used every 3 months to maintain your results. Long term use combined with skin care can help the skin to repair damage and improve wrinkles further.

Can Botox fill in wrinkles?

No. Botox only improves the wrinkles caused by muscle contractions. Injectible fillers, on the other hand, fill wrinkles and add volume to the face and hands! Learn more about the different types of fillers and their benefits.

Where is Botox used?

Botox can be used anywhere on the face and neck where muscle contractions cause wrinkles. It is FDA approved for the area between the eyebrows called the glabella. It has been safely used off-label for many years in multiple other areas for cosmetic purposes. You can learn more about these areas below.

Common Botox Treatment Areas

Forehead
Botox improves the forehead by smoothing the wrinkles that form across it. The area just above the brow is usually not treated so that you can still move your eyebrows. This creates a more natural looking result.

Eyebrows
Botox injected below the peak of the brows relaxes the muscles that pull the brows down. This elevates the brow peaks slightly, giving a mild brow lift effect. Brow lift patients should have Botox in this area every three months to help their result last longer.

Frown Lines
Botox is injected between the eyebrows (glabella) to smoothen frown lines. These muscles also pull the inner brow down, so treating this area promotes the brow lift effect at the inner brow. We recommend that brow lift patients have Botox in this area to maximize and prolong their results.

Crow’s Feet or Smile Lines Around Eyes
We use Botox around your outer eye area to smoothen the lines that form with smiling and squinting, called "crow’s feet." Sometimes we treat the lower eyelids to improve lines, also. Eyelid lifts cannot typically improve smile and squint lines completely, so Botox is a great way to maximize your result after eyelid lift surgery.

Lip Lines
Lines form around the lips from pursing them repeatedly over the years. Botox can smooth these lines. Injectable fillers are usually necessary to achieve maximal improvement in combination with the Botox.

Down Turned Corners of Mouth
The corners of the mouth droop with aging. We can use Botox to relax the muscles that pull down this area, giving some lift. Injectable fillers further improve the "marionette crease" that forms below this area.

Neck Bands
The platysma muscle can create bands in the neck when it tightens. Botox can relax these bands and make them less severe. Botox is not a replacement for a neck lift.

Masseter Muscles Botox can treat TMJ symptoms and can also help narrow your lower face when injected into the masseter muscles. These muscles are used for chewing and often add bulk to the lower face and jaw area. After treatment with Botox, the muscles become thinner and the face can appear more tapered.

Arm Pits Botox can reduce sweating when injected into the arm pits (axilla). This is popular during the spring and summer to avoid sweat showing through clothing.

What to Expect if You Have Botox

Anesthesia: Not necessary
Location of procedure: Office
Length of procedure: 5 minutes.
Length of stay: Outpatient (home same day).
Discomfort: Minimal
Swelling and bruising: None to very mild
Presentable in public: immediately
Final result: 1-3 weeks
Result Longevity: Touch up recommended at 3 months to maintain results
Summary: Botox improves dynamic wrinkles by relaxing muscles to smooth the skin. The best results may be achieved when Botox is combined with injectable fillers and appropriate surgical procedures.
Learn more on our Botox Tips and Traps page.