Botox®  

Conveniently located to serve the areas of San Diego, CA

Botox® is a popular, FDA-approved injectable used to treat dynamic wrinkles, primarily in the forehead and around the eyes. With time, we may develop wrinkles that result from repeated movement of specific muscles of expression that crease the skin. Crow’s feet, horizontal forehead lines, and vertical lines between the brows (“elevens”) become more noticeable with age. Before injectables, we were supposed to quietly accept these often frustrating effects of aging. However, today, Botox® ensures that you don’t have to.

Woman admiring her face with firm wrinkly free skin. Botox Alexus MD.

Injectables are a semi-permanent, non-surgical solution to facial aging. One of the most beneficial aspects of Botox® is just how quick and easy it is! Reducing wrinkles and attaining smoother facial contours is easy with a short, targeted session you can schedule during your lunch break.

About Botox®

Botox® is formulated using onabotulinumtoxinA, the most common preparation of botulinum toxin. (1) This active ingredient is not toxic to tissue, but disrupts the nerve signals that trigger muscle contraction. Normally, muscle contraction occurs once the chemical messenger acetylcholine is released. Botulinum toxin prevents the release of acetylcholine and therefore the contraction, resulting in a relaxed muscle. As a result, Botox® smooths the targeted facial wrinkles. 

Static vs. Dynamic Wrinkles What’s the Difference?

Wrinkles fall into two categories: static or dynamic. Each type is treated a different way. 

Static Wrinkles  

Static wrinkles are not tied to muscle movement. They appear on the face whether a muscle contracts or not. They result from aging and sun damage, specifically from the loss of collagen and elastin in the skin, responsible for the moisture and hydration that keep our skin supple and smooth. This loss leads to a decrease in facial volume, allowing wrinkles to form more easily as skin becomes thinner and drier. Examples of static wrinkles include:

  • Nasolabial Folds
  • Marionette Lines 
  • Tear Troughs
  • Neck Lines

Static wrinkles are most often treated using dermal fillers, chemical peels, and laser skin resurfacing.

Dynamic Wrinkles 

Botox® targets wrinkles caused by repeated muscle movements, or wrinkles that become deeper when facial muscles contract. Examples of dynamic wrinkles include:

  • Vertical creases between the eyebrows from frowning (“eleven lines” or glabellar lines) 
  • Horizontal lines on the brow from lifting the eyebrows
  • Crow’s feet on the corners of the eyes when squinting or smiling
  • Lip lines when pursing the lips 

The challenge with dynamic wrinkles is that they begin as subtle creases through natural expression. Their impact is not initially visible on the face. However, with time, regular movements cause wrinkles, folds, and lines that remain imprinted on the face. A treatment like Botox® inhibits muscle construction so that the wrinkles relax to prevent the formation of lines, wrinkles, and creases when we express emotions.

Botox® Benefits

Benefits of using Botox® include:

  • Non-surgical procedure
  • Minimally-invasive
  • Quick and easy 
  • Long-lasting results
  • Boosts natural beauty
  • Fast-acting results
  • Customizable treatment
  • Complements other facial rejuvenation treatments

Candidates

You are a good candidates for Botox® if:

  • You are in good health and over 18
  • You are not pregnant or breastfeeding
  • You have moderate to serve dynamic wrinkles 
  • You have wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes
  • You have moderate skin elasticity
  • You are looking for a preemptive wrinkle treatment
  • You have realistic expectations for treatment

Most people are candidates for Botox®. However, it may not be an option if you are allergic, have a neuromuscular disorder such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or myasthenia gravis; or are primarily concerned about static wrinkles. (1)(2) 

Botox® to Prevent Wrinkles?

Botox® is increasingly being used by younger patients as a preventive skin maintenance measure. Regularly getting Botox® before the age of 30 can stop dynamic creases from appearing, allowing you to get a head-start on delaying the aging process!

Personal Consultation

At your consultation, we will discuss the challenges you’re experiencing with facial aging, then we can determine if Botox® is right for you! We have numerous before and after images of past patients to provide an accurate idea of what results can look like. We will also assess your skin quality in the areas you want to treat.

Once we are clear about your goals we will develop your personalized treatment plan. We recommend that you come prepared with questions to ensure you get everything addressed in one session. If you are ready to speak to our facial rejuvenation experts, call (888) 463-9532 or complete our online form to receive further scheduling information.

Preparation

Botox® may be a simple procedure, but treatment still requires a little preparation in order to reap the maximum benefits from injections. Follow these guidelines to ensure the best results possible from your Botox® procedure:

  • Avoid alcohol at least 24 hours before and after the procedure.
  • Avoid blood-thinning medications, vitamins and supplements such as NSAIDS (Advil, Motrin, Naproxen, Ibuprofen), ginkgo biloba, green tea, Vitamins A and E etc.
  • Don’t wax, pluck, or use hair removal cream on the area (e.g. between the brows)
  • Don’t use certain topical treatments (e.g. retinol-based creams, AHAs)
  • Take Arnica, which helps to prevent bruises, redness, bleeding, and swelling

Procedure

Botox® is relatively simple and takes around 15 minutes to administer. Your skin will be prepped using an alcohol swab. Your provider will inject Botox® into the selected muscle or muscle groups using a tiny needle. By targeting specific areas of the face, Botox® can pinpoint the exact areas needed to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles.

The number of injections you receives depends on the number of areas outlined in your treatment plan, how deep your wrinkles are, and your individual facial structure. Once the procedure is done, you may get back to your normal daily activities immediately!

Recovery & Results

After treatment, you may experience some redness and swelling at the injection sites. This should resolve in a few days. You will begin to see results after about 3-4 days, with full results taking shape one to  two weeks after treatment. (2) You will see moderate to severe wrinkles and lines greatly diminish in this time, with a gradual smoothing effect. Results last about three to six months. We recommend maintenance treatments to maintain results. 

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures 

Dermal Fillers

While Botox® deals with the upper third of the face, dermal fillers containing hyaluronic acid, PMMA, PLLA, or calcium hydroxylapatite can be used in the bottom two-thirds to reduce the appearance of static lines and to increase facial tissue volume. Choose from the following treatments.

  • Bellafill
  • Juvéderm Ultra
  • Juvéderm Ultra Plus
  • Juvéderm Voluma
  • Juvéderm Vollure
  • Radiesse
  • Restylane Defyne
  • Restylane Lyft
  • Restylane Silk
  • Sculptra

Chemical Peels

Choose a skin resurfacing peel with your Botox® treatment (at least 24 hours apart) to augment your skin revitalizing results. Choose from the following rejuvenating spa peels.

  • Jessner Peel
  • MicroPeel
  • VI Peel
  • Cosmelan

Facials

Facials are a luxurious, cost-effective way to achieve clearer, refreshed skin. Combined with Botox®, a facial can transform dull, rough skin into soft, smoother skin in just a few minutes. Choose from the following facials at Alexus Med Spa.

  • Diamond Glow
  • Oxygen Infusion Facial

Cost of Botox® in San Diego

The cost of your Botox® treatment will vary based on wrinkles and the number of Botox® units required to meet your treatment goals. We will be happy to share a quote after your one-on-one consultation. Visit our rejuvenating oasis of calm and choose from our wide range of treatments! Call San Diego’s premier med spa at (888) 463-9532 or use our simple online contact form to book your personal consultation with us.

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FAQ

How old do you have to be to get Botox®?

Botox is FDA-approved for the treatment of patients over the age of 18.

Will Botox® injections hurt?

Injections are not considered painful for most, though patients may experience slight discomfort for the duration of the procedure. This will resolve quickly after the procedure.

How long is a Botox® procedure?

A quick Botox® procedure can be completed during a lunch break. In fact, many patients schedule appointments during this time period to refresh their face in under one hour. 

References

  1. Padda IS, Tadi P. Botulinum Toxin. [Updated 2022 Nov 30]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557387/ 
  2. Satriyasa BK. Botulinum toxin (Botox) A for reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles: a literature review of clinical use and pharmacological aspect. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019 Apr 10;12:223-228. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S202919 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6489637/