There’s a reason why botulinum toxin injections — Botox® and Dysport® — are the most popular minimally invasive aesthetic treatment in the U.S.: they work like a kind of magic eraser for your face, effectively smoothing wrinkles and fine lines while instantly returning a fresh, youthful appearance without the expense or recovery associated with cosmetic surgery.
What is Botox®?
Botox Cosmetic is one of two FDA-approved brand names for botulinum toxin, a purified protein substance that, when injected into strategic locations, temporarily paralyzes the area to keep the muscles from moving and causing wrinkles. And yes, the word “toxin” sounds a little terrifying, but the botulinum toxin has actually been safely used for medical purposes for over 30 years.
Initially, it was used in ophthalmology to treat blepharospasm (tremor of the eyelids), in neurology for the treatment of neuromuscular diseases, and in otolaryngology to treat facial nerve disorders. In fact, it was during its use for facial nerve conditions that physicians first realized that the toxin improved the appearance of certain facial wrinkles.
Since then, clinical trials have shown that Botox® and Dysport® injections are very safe for both cosmetic and non-cosmetic purposes.
What is Dysport®?
Like Botox®, Dysport® is a brand name for botulinum toxin injections. And just like Botox®, Dysport can be used to treat forehead wrinkles, reduce the appearance of crow’s feet, erase frown lines in between the eyebrows, and more. Dysport® is manufactured by Swiss pharmaceutical company Galderma, the makers of Sculptra and Restylane fillers. Botox® is produced by Allergan, a company that also manufactures the filler Juvederm.
How does Botox work?
To understand how Botox works, we first need to talk about wrinkles and how they form. There are two types of facial wrinkles: dynamic and static. Static wrinkles are caused by a combination of gravity and loss of skin elasticity and are typically located in the lower third of the face.
Dynamic wrinkles are caused by the normal activity of the facial muscles. Typically, these wrinkles are located in the upper third of the face and include the horizontal forehead wrinkles, the “11” wrinkles in between the eyebrows (known as glabellar wrinkles), and those around the eyes (known as crows feet).
Botox® and Dysport® are best suited for dynamic wrinkles. For example, when applied to the lines between the eyebrows, it can soften the stubborn “11” lines that make you look as though you were perpetually frowning. Botox can also provide a subtle brow lift for certain patients. And the injections can smooth out the horizontal wrinkles and take years off your face when applied to the forehead.
Am I A Candidate for Botox or Dysport?
Botox® and Dysport® are considered a minimally invasive procedure for facial rejuvenation and there are no contraindications when used for reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines without plastic surgery.
Good candidates include women and men who are physically healthy, have realistic expectations regarding the results of the procedure, and want to improve the appearance of forehead creases, glabellar lines, or crow’s feet. Botox® may not be appropriate for individuals with certain neuromuscular disorders like ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome.
What areas can be treated with Botox or Dysport?
While crow’s feet and forehead wrinkles are common injection sites, Botox can actually be applied to more than a dozen areas to smooth, refresh, and rejuvenate.
Upper Face
- Frown or “11” lines
- Top of the nose / bunny lines
- Eyebrows
- Under the eyes
Lower Face
- Nasolabial folds
- Marionette lines
- Smoker’s lines
- Gummy smile
- Dimpled chin
- Jowls
- Neck bands
Body
- Underarms, for hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating
- Hands and feet
- Scalp
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- BG
Procedure and Recovery
Typically, Botox® or Dysport® injections are administered using small, ultra-thin needles. This allows for a relatively fast and painless injection. After the injection, the skin area is cooled with a small ice packet to help reduce local swelling. The swollen area typically returns to normal within two hours.
The procedure is performed in the office. After you are comfortably seated and have discussed your desired injection sites with Dr. Bustillo, one of our licensed assistants will perform acupressure to decrease sensation on the face. Then, Dr. Bustillo will gently inject the solution into specific muscles.
The procedure only takes a few minutes. After that, you can return to your normal activities right away, though you’re advised to avoid rubbing the treated area, get facials or chemical peels, and perform strenuous physical activity immediately following your Botox treatment.
Dr. Bustillo will ask you to come back a week or two after the procedure so he can take a look at your results and apply touch ups as necessary.
Our Approach to Botox® and Dysport®
Dr. Bustillo believes that a natural appearance should be maintained when treating facial wrinkles. There’s a fine line between applying the right amount of Botox and “freezing” someone’s expression. So you’ll never see high arched “peaked” brows coming from our office. That’s just not how we do it.
F.A.Q.
In most cases, you can combine Botox or Dysport injections with other cosmetic procedures, like dermal fillers, for an all-around facial optimization. During your Botox consultation, you and Dr. Bustillo will discuss your aesthetic goals and concerns in order to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs.
Botox injections last 4 to 6 months, though many factors can influence this. Age, injection site and technique, and muscle tone all play a role in the duration of the effect.
Botox and other injectables should only be performed by board-certified physicians that have experience performing those procedures. The reasons for this are many. First, if there is a complication, the physician will be best qualified to manage it. Second, it assures you that the products you are having injected are real and authentic. And, lastly, this ensures you that the result will be acceptable with no side effects. Dr. Bustillo has seen patients that have had “injections” in people’s homes that have destroyed their faces.
While Botox can’t be reversed, if you’re looking to fix a case of botched Botox, Dr. Bustillo can help. Some issues can be corrected by strategically adding small amounts of Botox in other places. Others may be corrected with fillers. In some other cases, you can try to conceal the effects with makeup. The good news is that Botox is temporary, so in the worst-case scenario, you’ll just have to be patient and wait for the solution to wear off — and remember to always go to a board-certified physician for injectables to avoid future mistakes.
No, Botox and dermal fillers are not the same thing. In general terms, botulinum toxin injections like Botox® and Dysport® work by “freezing” specific facial muscles in order to reduce and sometimes prevent wrinkles and fine lines. Dermal fillers are injectable solutions that contain ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, that add volume to specific areas of the face.
Yes and no. There is a limit to the amount of lift Botox can have on the eyebrows, so it will depend on the amount of lifting you need. In general, the effect of Botox for lifting the eyebrows is subtle, so if you’re struggling with drooping eyebrows or want a more noticeable lift, you may benefit from a surgical brow lift.
The best way is to go to a reputable and board-certified physician in your area. That being said, if you are still unsure, you can always ask your provider to show you the vial, which will have a branded hologram that confirms the authenticity of the product.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Ready to take the first step towards a smoother, line-free complexion? Schedule a private consultation with Dr. Bustillo and get the stunning results you’re looking for with the peace of mind of knowing you’re in the hands of a skilled, highly trained physician that’s fully invested in helping you look like the best version of yourself.
Call 305-663-3380 or click here to make an appointment today.
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Why Choose Miami plastic surgeon Dr. Bustillo?
- Castle Connolly Top Doctor for more than 10 years
- American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
- Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship at The New York University
- Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery Residency at The University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital
- General Surgery Internship at The University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital