Smooth Lines and Wrinkles
Botox treatments. It works by temporarily blocking muscular nerve signals and weakening the facial muscles. This minimizes the appearance of bothersome facial wrinkles, and provides the rejuvenating effect that patients desire. Dr. Mark H. Schwartz is a leading New York City board-certified plastic surgeon with many years of expertise, excellent technique and precision to deliver natural-looking results.
How Does Botox Work?
Normal facial expressions involve muscle contraction. Over time, repeated contractions etch permanent lines, wrinkles and furrows in the skin. These lines can contribute to an aged, angry, sad or fatigued appearance.
Botox is a therapeutic agent that temporarily paralyzes the wrinkle-causing muscles. When injected, Botox smooths existing wrinkles and prevents further wrinkles. The result is a rested, rejuvenated and pleasant appearance — without surgery or downtime. Results last for up to five months.
Botox is approved for other cosmetic and medical uses, including the treatment of severe underarm sweating (hyperhidrosis) and can also be used for jaw reduction due to masseter muscle hyperactivity.
Candidates for Botox
Botox is designed for individuals that want to improve the look of:
- Crow’s feet
- Frown lines between the eyes
- Horizontal wrinkles across the forehead
- Lines around the mouth
- Neck Bands
- Thickened jaw muscle (Masseter)
- Excessive sweating of underarms, palms, feet
Candidates should be in good health and not pregnant or nursing. Botox is not suitable for individuals with certain neuromuscular disorders.
Treatment Details
Botox treatment is performed in Dr. Schwartz’s New York City office. Prior to treatment, the patient identifies their facial areas of concern. Specific points on the face are marked as guides to indicate where the Botox should be injected.
A topical numbing cream will be applied prior to your Botox injection, if desired. Dr. Schwartz uses a super fine needle to inject small amounts of Botox into the wrinkle-causing facial muscles. The amount of product and depth to which it is injected are both carefully controlled to avoid overcorrection. The entire treatment session takes 30 minutes or less.
After Your Botox Treatment
Botox treatment does not require downtime. Patients can return to work and their normal activities almost immediately afterward, but exercise should be avoided for a few hours. The area should not be rubbed or massaged for the next few hours. Rubbing or massaging the area could cause the Botox to migrate around the face and cause it to spread to unintended muscles .
Results usually appear within five to seven days. They typically last around four to five months, at which point the wrinkle-reducing effects start to wane, and repeat treatment becomes necessary.
BOTOX for Excessive Sweating
Hyperhidrosis is a common condition that involves excessive sweating on certain parts of the body, including the face, hands, feet and underarms. Patients with this condition often need prescription-strength antiperspirants to control sweating, and may have to change clothes frequently or avoid wearing certain fabrics.
However, now patients with hyperhidrosis can receive Botox injections to control excessive underarm sweating. Botox injections block the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands, significantly reducing the amount of sweat produced. Most patients notice a dramatic reduction in underarm sweating within just four weeks, with results lasting for up to six months. While symptoms will gradually return, patients can maintain their results by seeking routine follow-up treatments.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Mark H. Schwartz or to find out more about Botox.
Dysport
Dysport is a wrinkle relaxer similar to Botox Cosmetic. It was FDA approved in 2009 and has the same benefits as Botox. When injected, the muscles relax and the overlying skin smoothes out.
Similar to Botox, Dysport is used on the forehead, frown lines (“11’s”), crow’s feet around the eyes, and neck. It can also be used to treat hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) of the underarms, palms and soles of feet.
Dysport is administered in a series of injections into the designated muscles that are causing the wrinkles. In order to minimize discomfort, a topical anesthetic is placed on the areas to be injected. Taking only a few minutes, the Dysport treatment allows you to return to work and resume your normal activities that same day.
The positive effects of Dysport last approximately three to five months depending on your individual response, your muscle activity and the location of the injection.
How Is Dysport Different?
Dysport and Botox are both safe and effective for facial wrinkles and excessive sweating. The effects of Dysport may become visible faster than Botox, usually in a day or two. Also, the Dysport may spread farther in the muscle since it is a smaller molecule. This may be advantageous when treating a larger area such as the crow’s feet around the eyes. Dysport also has different dosing units. Two-and a-half units of Dysport is equal to one unit of Botox. This does not make Dysport less effective but requires a different dilution than Botox.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Mark H. Schwartz or to find out more about Dysport.
Xeomin
Xeomin is the most recently introduced wrinkle relaxer. It was FDA approved in 2011 and is administered by Dr. Mark H. Schwartz in his New York City office. Xeomin works similar to Botox and when injected, causes a temporary reduction of muscle activity, which smoothes the overlying fine lines and wrinkles.
It is used for frown lines, forehead lines, crow’s feet, neck bands and for excessive sweating of the underarms, palms and soles of the feet. It is injected after a topical numbing cream is applied. The procedure takes about 10-20 minutes and patients are able to return to work or usual activities the same day.
The positive effects of Xeomin last approximately three to five months, similar to Botox. It takes about five to seven days until it begins to work and approximately 10 days to two weeks to see the full effects.
How is Xeomin Different?
Xeomin is quite similar to Botox but they are not identical. It has a similar dosing and duration. Xeomin is often referred to as “naked” Botox since it has no protein additives. This may give it a theoretical advantage since patients do not develop a resistance to Xeomin. Resistance to Botox is only rarely seen and after very long term use. Also, Xeomin does not have to be refrigerated while Botox and Dysport need to be refrigerated.
Learn More about the Treatment Options
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Mark H. Schwartz or to find out more about about Botox, Dysport or Xeomin.
