Botox and Juvederm
Botox and Juvederm Injections
Botox is a safe, FDA-approved cosmetic treatment that has been popular among healthy American men and women since its FDA approval in 2002. Millions of people have undergone Botox injections to help smooth facial lines and restore a younger appearance. Botox is injected into the facial muscles, helping to block nerve impulses and relax the muscles. Without contracting facial muscles, lines become less evident and are prevented from worsening.
Benefits of Botox Injections
Botox injections are used not only for therapeutic purposes but for cosmetic ones too. Unlike other fillers, which are superficially injected just beneath the skin, Botox is injected directly into the muscle. Botox blocks signals between the muscle and the brain, ultimately preventing muscle contraction in a localized area. When the muscle relaxes, wrinkles smooth out and soften. Performed correctly, these injections only affect targeted muscles while still allowing for facial expression. Botox can be used for any type of wrinkle that has not been caused by sun damage or stretching of the skin due to gravity. Results are usually best on expression lines, such as those around the eyes and forehead.
Did You Know?
That 11 million women have undergone Botox? In fact, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that it is the most common cosmetic treatment requested in America, with numbers at an all-time high. More than a million treatments are performed every year, and it isn’t just the rich and famous indulging in the liquid facelift. People of all economic backgrounds get Botox because of its affordability. Demand for minimally invasive aesthetic treatments continues to rise, and Botox is at the forefront.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are between the ages of 18 and 65, consult Dr. Sammons and Dr. Laurent to find out if Botox is right for you. The best candidates for cosmetic Botox treatments are usually men and women bothered by facial lines and wrinkles – particularly those along the forehead and between the eyes. You should not get Botox injections if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you suffer from any type of neurological disease.
Botox injections are in-office procedures performed in just a few minutes. In fact, you can schedule a Botox injection for your lunch hour or on your way home from work. Injections use a very fine needle, which is inserted into the facial muscles. There is very little discomfort during the injection, and topical anesthetic can be utilized to further assist with patient comfort.
There is a minimal recovery period of approximately 48 hours after getting Botox. During this time, you may experience bruising or headaches. Avoid rubbing your face in areas treated with Botox, and do not lie down for the first few hours after the injections. Our team at Dental Artistry will send you home with written instructions to ensure you get the best results from your treatment!
Keep in mind that results from Botox – though significant – usually begin to fade within 4 to 6 months. You’ll need to return for retreatment periodically.
You will begin to notice the effects of your Botox injection within just a few days. The results will continue to improve over the course of approximately 4 weeks and may remain for up to 6 months.
Juvederm Treatments
Juvederm treatments are cosmetic injections used to fill in sunken facial features, such as nasolabial folds and thin lips. The filler is a smooth gel that appears smooth and natural, rather than hard, stiff and lumpy. It can be used to fill in mild to moderate lines and folds, making it possible to temporarily re-contour the face to take on a more youthful appearance. Outcomes vary from person to person, but most patients achieve immediate results that reduce the appearance of lines, folds and hollowed areas of the face for up to one year.
Benefits of Juvederm
Smooth, youthful skin is the desire of most people – especially as age, genetics and environmental factors begin putting years of mileage on the face. Over time, the skin starts to lose its elasticity and volume, resulting in the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Juvederm helps to restore volume and smoothness by replacing depleted hyaluronic acid just beneath the skin. When injected into the dermal layers, hyaluronic acid binds to water molecules, giving the face a fuller appearance in targeted areas. Dr. Sammons and Dr. Laurent use Juvederm to treat many different types of lines and wrinkles, though it is most frequently used as a dermal filler for smile lines and marionette lines around the mouth.
Did You Know?
That Juvederm injectible filler is composed of hyaluronic acid – a molecule that occurs naturally within the body? This molecule is responsible for binding to water molecules, providing the skin with a naturally soft and supple appearance. But as the skin ages, quantities of hyaluronic acid diminish, leaving lines and wrinkles. Juvederm’s unique biocompatible composition makes it safe for use and provides a low risk of side effects. In fact, Juvederm is safely and naturally absorbed by the body over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may be a candidate for Juvederm if you are a physically healthy adult who wants to rejuvenate your face to appear more youthful. You may not be eligible for injections if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant in the near future, or currently breastfeeding.
Prior to your treatment, Dr. Sammons and Dr. Laurent may advise you to avoid taking certain medications, such as aspirin to avoid bruising or bleeding at your injection site. You’ll receive your injections from the comfort of the Dental Artistry office. A combination of topical anesthetic and lidocaine within the filler itself make it possible to deliver Juvederm injections with as little discomfort as possible. Each Juvederm session lasts about 20 minutes per area of treatment, with visible results immediately after your injection.
Your Juvederm injection may leave your lips swollen and tender though this should subside within a few days. For the most part, you can return to normal activities the same day as your injections. However, you may be advised to avoid extreme temperatures, alcohol and exercise in the hours immediately following your Juvederm injection. Our team at Dental Artistry will send you home with written instructions to ensure you get the best results from your treatment!