Botox Bay City, MI

BOTOX® is a neuromodulator that uses an active ingredient made of highly purified proteins to relax the muscles responsible for dynamic wrinkles. It’s an effective solution for those who have noticed the development of expression lines on the upper half of their faces of different severities. It is FDA-approved to smooth frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet and enables patients to achieve smoother, younger-looking skin for several months at a time.

BOTOX® is a popular treatment and has many benefits. Aside from its ability to smooth lines and wrinkles and treat specific medical conditions, it can help patients combat aging through minimally invasive treatment. Its other primary benefits include the following:

• Treatments are quick
• Treatments are long-lasting
• Results look natural
• Treatments are comfortable and virtually painless
• Treatments are prescriptive and preventative
• Treatment plans are versatile and can target multiple areas

While many people seeking BOTOX® treatment are primarily concerned with reducing fine lines, lesser known benefits of this non-surgical option include enhancing skin texture and tone. BOTOX® can also reduce pore size, contributing to a naturally rejuvenated and youthful appearance.

Not only can we use this injectable to smooth expression lines and dynamic wrinkles, but we can also use it to treat certain medical conditions and temporarily alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with the symptoms of those conditions.

We can use this injectable to alleviate the pain resulting from TMJ by administering it to different areas of and around the jaw. We can also use it to treat hyperhidrosis, a condition that causes profuse and uncontrollable sweating from the underarms, hands, or feet.

Finally, one particularly game-changing medical application of BOTOX® that we are highly passionate about is in cervical dystonia treatment. Cervical dystonia is an often uncomfortable and functionally limiting disorder characterized by painful spasms of the neck, resulting in ongoing neck pain and abnormal head position. BOTOX® calms these overactive muscles effectively.

This injectable works by relaxing the muscles responsible for dynamic wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles are those caused by repeated muscle contractions, including Crow’s feet, frown lines, bunny lines, and more. Once injected into specific muscles, the product begins relaxing the muscles, which allows the skin to rest and become smoother. It does this by interfering with the communication between the muscle and the motor nerve, effectively paralyzing the muscle in a controlled and temporary manner. This anti-aging injectable can fill in the gaps left by your skin care products and other anti-aging treatments that aren’t completely smoothing your expression lines or preventing them from worsening.

It’s important to understand the distinction between BOTOX® and dermal fillers because, even though these differing treatments share some overlap when it comes to potential benefits, they are still different in several ways that may affect your experience and preferences.

While BOTOX® interferes with communication between the injected nerve and the muscle it activates, dermal fillers use gel-like substances like hyaluronic acid to boost volume and draw a significant amount of moisture into the skin. This allows for a more plump and youthful look while reducing the appearance of fine lines.

Both treatments can last for several months or more when well-maintained, and both address wrinkles, but one key difference in application is the type of wrinkle addressed. Fillers are typically more appropriate for static wrinkles (those not caused by repeated muscle contractions), while BOTOX® is better at treating dynamic wrinkles.

Patients can expect noticeable results within the first week of treatment. Some notice results within a few days, but it can take up to one week. Your results will continue to improve for 30 days after your initial injections. 

Factors that can affect both how quickly you notice results and how long those results last include age, skin type, the nature of your cosmetic concerns, lifestyle (smoking, alcohol use, etc.), the area(s) treated, and others.

You can expect your results to last approximately three to four months. For some, results may last longer, but ultimately it depends on how quickly your body metabolizes the product, which typically happens at around the three to four-month mark.

You won’t have to plan around downtime after your appointment, but we will give you some directions to ensure the best results. You need to avoid workouts for 24 hours post-treatment and anti-inflammatory medications and supplements that act as blood thinners.

You should also avoid anything increasing your body temperature during those first 24 hours through activities or environments, and keep your head elevated for the first several hours following your treatment so that the product can begin relaxing your muscles and doesn’t migrate to other areas.

This injectable treatment can be combined with other anti-aging treatments and injectables. We can administer dermal fillers and BOTOX® injections during the same treatment. If you’re interested in other anti-aging treatments, we can make recommendations and help determine the best treatment plan to ensure optimal results.

While not every patient will qualify for these pairings (hence the importance of speaking with us in a one-on-one consultation), other popular combinations with BOTOX® include chemical peels and microneedling. The powerful exfoliation effect of chemical peels not only complements the aesthetic benefits of BOTOX® , but can actually render BOTOX® more effective when timed properly. Similarly, microneedling can significantly enhance the skin’s texture by encouraging collagen production, an effect that goes hand in hand with BOTOX® to create a more naturally rejuvenated appearance.

It’s a popular myth that BOTOX® injections will give you that “wooden” or expressionless appearance, though it is not completely unfounded. Experienced injectors like our well-credentialed team at Tondue Medical Spa know exactly how many units to use and where to inject them in order to avoid this issue completely and consistently.

However, a less experienced injector may in fact cause this issue by using too much in one area and/or injecting the wrong muscles. While it’s normal for patients to have slight difficulty in forming certain expressions (namely, those that caused the fine lines in the first place) following BOTOX® treatment, they will not have an expressionless appearance following a successful treatment.

First, it’s important to understand the difference between sensory and motor nerves. The former allows for us to feel things, while the latter allows our muscles to contract. These are completely separate nerve fibers that run through the body, and can experience issues independent of each other.

In the case of BOTOX®, it is primarily the motor nerve’s ability to communicate with the muscle (via acetylcholine) that is affected. However, it is not uncommon for numbness to affect the area for a short period of time. This is not painful, and rarely lasts longer than a day or two. It’s rare for the numbness to persist for longer periods of time, but if so, make sure to contact your provider in order to address the issue.

The best candidates for BOTOX® are adults in good health who are not allergic to the active ingredient, Botulinum toxin A. Pregnant and nursing patients do not qualify for treatment for safety reasons.

Before undergoing the treatment, you must schedule an initial consultation so we can ask you some questions about your medical history and learn about any previous experience with neuromodulators. It’s also important to carefully align your expectations of treatment with the results that BOTOX® can realistically provide. Then, we can confirm that this anti-aging injectable is a safe option for you and design the treatment plan accordingly.

Immediately following your treatment, avoid touching the area as much as possible. Most other cosmetic procedures, including minimally invasive treatments, are contraindicated for at least 2-3 weeks (per your provider’s post-treatment instructions). It’s also important to avoid vigorous exercise, extreme temperatures (sauna, hot tub, etc.), sun exposure, and any mechanical stressors that may affect the treatment site. For example, sleeping on the injection site is typically discouraged for several days following treatment.

As far as what you should do following treatment, patients are often encouraged to start gradually moving and exercising the treated muscles. This will help the neuromodulator spread further into the targeted muscle(s). If required, take any pain relievers and use cold compresses as directed by your provider.

General recommendations aside, each patient’s experience is unique, and requires individualized care to meet their specific needs and goals. Always follow your provider’s instructions when it comes to BOTOX® pre- and post-treatment care.