Botox®

As we age, we develop facial wrinkles because the elasticity of our skin weakens. Common areas where wrinkles develop are between the eyebrows (glabella) and along the outer eye area (crow's feet), and across the forehead. These wrinkles make us look like we are frowning or angry when we are not.

Botox® injections are an effective way to erase these wrinkles. Botox works by temporarily weakening the muscles that create these wrinkles, erasing the wrinkles often entirely but only temporarily. Very small doses of Botox® are injected near the wrinkles, between the eyebrows, in the crow's feet area or along the forehead wrinkles. Botox is very effective at erasing these wrinkles. Botox can also be injected along the eyebrow to give a mini brow lift.

As everyone metabolizes Botox at different rates, how much Botox is required for you and how often treatments are needed will differ per individual. After a few treatments, the dose you need to erase your wrinkles will be known and a similar dose will be effective each time.

Typically a Botox treatment lasts from 4-8 months. Botox is not permanent, nor does its chronic use have any permanent effect. To maintain your wrinkle free appearance, repeat treatments are needed. The goal result with Botox is that you no longer have visible wrinkles when your face is in repose (relaxed) or with normal animation. The goal is not to "freeze" facial expression as this looks unnatural. This occurs when too much Botox® is injected or it is injected too frequently. For particularly stubborn wrinkles, Botox® can safely be used in combination with fillers.

At our office, Botox is injected by Dr. Ma herself.

Botox has been used for decades. It is a very safe agent when administered correctly by a trained professional. Risks include headache, upper eyelid droop. Fortunately, as with the desired effect, all unintended side effects of Botox are temporary.