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Botox injections are not generally considered painful, as the needles used are extremely fine and the procedure involves injecting small quantities of the product into superficial facial muscles. Nevertheless, individuals differ widely in their perception and sensitivity to pain (including, for some, the anticipation of pain), and of course, some parts of the face are inherently more sensitive than others. Fortunately, there is a range of techniques available for minimizing discomfort and pain during the procedure.

Topical Numbing and Cold Therapy

The most common technique involves the use of ice packs and topical numbing lotions containing lidocaine or similar anesthetics. Applying the cream prior to treatment, then cooling the area to be treated, constricts surface blood vessels and dulls nerve endings. The combined effect is sufficient in most cases to reduce discomfort to a manageable level.

Vibration Enhanced Anesthesia

Applying a small vibrating device near the injection site is a solution adopted by some practitioners. The vibrations act to interfere with the transmission of pain signals, effectively distracting the brain and minimizing or even eliminating the perception of pain. Studies have confirmed the effectiveness of this technique, and it’s gradually becoming more widely adopted.

Other Distraction Techniques

Experienced practitioners are likely to use a number of other distraction techniques, ranging from gently tapping adjacent areas to massaging or squeezing the area being treated just before and after treatment. Pulling skin taut before injecting it can result in less perceived discomfort compared to injecting through thicker, more resistant layers of skin. Other techniques can also be effective, such as something as simple as having the patient concentrate on squeezing a stress ball, which can help reduce the perception of pain.

Ultra-Fine Needles and Botox Injection Practices

Although 30-gauge needles are standard for Botox, some practitioners use the finer 32 or 33-gauge needles. These are recognized as producing less pain and, as an additional benefit, reducing the chance of developing bruising. Replacing needles during treatment may also help, as needles can start to become blunt after multiple uses within a treatment session. There are other things that an experienced practitioner can do to minimize discomfort, including fine-tuning the angle and depth of the injections.

You should certainly discuss any concerns with your practitioner and share your experiences of prior treatments. This will help them to fine-tune the procedure for you, and help to reduce (or, hopefully, eliminate) any pain or discomfort during the procedure.

Schedule Your Personalized Botox Consultation Today with Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and have extensive experience performing Botox procedures. We tailor all treatments to each patient’s needs and prioritize minimalist application and natural-looking results. We invite you to contact us for more information on this or any of the other non-invasive cosmetic procedures we offer. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.

The FDA has officially approved Botox for a limited number of uses, and for adults up to the age of 65. However, this does not mean that its use outside these limits is unsafe or illegal. Botox is used for a very large number of “off-label” uses, even though these uses are also not officially sanctioned. So, what does it mean to use Botox off-label, and does the FDA’s age limit mean that its use is unsafe for those over 65?

What Does Off-Label Actually Mean?

The FDA has tested only a relatively small range of Botox uses, and when it gives its official approval, it is always done in extremely limited and specific circumstances. However, this does not mean that other uses are unsafe; it simply means that they have not been investigated with the same rigor. In fact, the vast majority of Botox procedures performed today are not officially approved, and they are perfectly safe when performed within recognized boundaries.

The FDA’s 65 age limit means that there were very few individuals older than 65 in their test groups, not that they determined that treating older individuals would be dangerous. The FDA does not prohibit the use of Botox in these patients.

Potential Challenges or Side Effects for Older Patients Who Receive Botox Injections

A significant number of Botox procedures have been performed on older patients, and there are generally no differences in how older patients react to the procedure compared to younger ones.

Older patients are, of course, more likely to have developed a larger range of skin problems simply by virtue of having lived longer. Their skin is more likely to have suffered sun-related damage, they’re more likely to have low levels of collagen and elastin, reduced fat deposits, and their skin is probably thinner than it was in their youth. The cumulative effects of aging often mean that

Botox treatments are somewhat less likely to give complete relief from lines and wrinkles. The procedure will result in cosmetic improvements, but patients with unreasonable expectations could be disappointed. Of course, this caveat also applies to younger patients.

Older patients are somewhat more likely to develop temporary side effects, such as bruising or swelling. As in younger patients, these are generally mild and short-lived.

How Practitioners Adapt Botox for Older Adults

Skillful and experienced practitioners often adapt their Botox treatments for older patients, the same way they would adapt their treatment protocols for any patient who presents special circumstances. This is part and parcel of how professionals adapt every procedure to the patient’s needs, rather than simply applying a cookie-cutter solution to everyone they see.

It’s common for practitioners to use lower doses of Botox and distribute them more widely to compensate for age-related changes in muscle density and skin resilience. Providers who offer a range of non-invasive cosmetic procedures have a number of other treatment options available, in particular, dermal fillers. These procedures are often combined with Botox and can compensate for a lack of volume and complement the use of Botox.

Other Factors Influencing Botox Treatments for People Over the Age of 65

Some providers may be less willing to perform some procedures on older patients. As an example, shrinking the volume of the masseter muscles involves more trade-offs with older patients. Reducing muscle mass can have unintended consequences, such as increasing the risk of skin folds around the jowls. A skillful practitioner always has to perform a careful balancing act between treating some problems and possibly creating others. Older patients are not unique in this respect, but they may present more challenges than do younger patients.

As with all cosmetic procedures, you will increase your chances of good results by looking for a skilled practitioner who can demonstrate years of experience and who is willing to take the time to tailor their treatments to every patient’s individual needs.

The good news is that Botox remains a valid option for those over 65, and can provide a reliable way to soften dynamic lines and wrinkles, and to improve their appearance and self-confidence.

Schedule Your Personalized Botox Consultation Today with Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified, with extensive experience performing Botox procedures. We tailor all treatments to each patient’s needs and prioritize minimalist application and natural-looking results. We invite you to contact us for more information on this or any of the other non-invasive cosmetic procedures we offer. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.

Although Botox can be used successfully by almost anyone, we do observe some differences in the duration and effectiveness of its results in some individuals. In some cases, these may be related to a patient’s medical history, but in others, genetic factors can play a role. This blog will explore how some of these factors influence how Botox works and how it’s used.

Genetic Factors That Influence Botox Effectiveness

Botox works by temporarily inhibiting the nerve signals that trigger muscle contractions. When muscle movement is limited, then skin lines and wrinkles that are linked to the muscle movement can be reduced.

Botox has a temporary effect because the body metabolizes it after it’s injected and gradually eliminates it. Some genetic factors influence the effectiveness of Botox in inhibiting muscle movement. In contrast, other factors determine anatomical differences that may make someone more or less likely to develop skin wrinkles. The primary role of genetics is to influence how quickly and efficiently the body removes Botox after each treatment.

Botox, Muscle Strength, and Activity Levels

Individuals differ widely in the composition, strength, and location of their muscle mass. Some people have far stronger muscle development in some locations, which require correspondingly larger doses of Botox to control. Muscle activity also influences how quickly Botox is metabolized and eliminated – people with active lifestyles, and those who engage in regular or especially vigorous exercise will experience the benefits of Botox treatments for shorter time periods.

Genetic factors also influence how effectively Botox blocks nerve signal transmission, as this is tied to the density of nerve receptors targeted by Botox. Genetic differences influence both the effectiveness with which Botox can inhibit muscle movement and the duration of these effects.

How Genetics Affects Botox Metabolism

Genetics also influences how quickly the body breaks down Botox. Body chemistry and enzyme activity can alter the ways that the body reacts to Botox toxin, and how efficiently it is processed. Some Asian and Hispanic people may metabolize Botox faster, while some people of African descent may do so more slowly. This can result in the effects of Botox treatments varying considerably between individuals, with some seeing results last as long as twice as long as others.

Botox and Immune Response Considerations

Although quite rare, some individuals experience an immune response to Botox injections. These individuals form antibodies in response to Botox administration, which can significantly reduce or even eliminate Botox’s ability to limit muscle movement. In common with other situations that result in antibody formation, this is more likely to occur with repeated Botox applications.

How Skin Type and Genetics Influence Botox Outcomes

In addition to ethnic/genetic factors that influence anatomy and muscle development (such as especially prominent jaw muscles), variations in skin type, thickness, elasticity, and even oiliness will influence how easily an individual develops dynamic lines and wrinkles, how visible they are when they do develop, and how well they respond and recover when Botox is used to restrict the muscle movement that caused them to develop.

Schedule a Personalized Botox Consultation at Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified, with extensive experience performing Botox procedures. We tailor all treatments according to each patient’s needs, and prioritize minimalistic application and natural-looking results. We invite you to contact us for more information on this or any of the other non-invasive cosmetic procedures we offer. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information

Sagging or drooping eyelids can be caused by a number of medical conditions, including serious nerve or autoimmune-related issues. They are also a common result of lack of sleep or stress, but are also quite often associated with simple aging, linked to loosening skin and weakened muscles. Genetic factors can also contribute, as the condition may be inherited and worsened by excess skin above the eyes.

In many cases, Botox can be used to create noticeable improvements, even though it doesn’t play any direct role in reducing or tightening loose skin folds.

How Can Botox Lift Droopy Eyelids?

Botox works by selectively inhibiting the passage of nerve signals that cause muscles to contract. The eyelids are controlled by several muscles that work partly in opposition. The Orbicularis oculi muscles close the eyelids, the levator palpebrae superioris muscles work to lift the upper lid, and eyelid opening is also assisted by müller’s muscle, and by the frontalis muscle that acts to lift the eyebrows.

Although there’s a complex relationship among the muscles that work together, careful application of Botox can partially relax the sections of the orbicularis oculi muscle that primarily pull the eyebrow and eyelids downward. This allows the frontalis muscle to work more effectively in lifting the eyebrows, which allows the eye to open more fully, and acts to reduce the appearance of hooded eyes. The upper eyelid can be raised by between 1 and 2 mm using this technique, enough to have a quite visible effect.

Botox and the Subtle Correction of Eyebrow Asymmetry

It’s not uncommon for patients to compensate for a slight asymmetry between their eyebrows by unconsciously raising one eyebrow higher than the other. This can happen over the course of many years and can result in the gradual development of deeper facial lines on the dominant side of the face. After using Botox to relax sagging eyelids, it’s possible for previously unremarked facial asymmetries to become apparent.

This is one area where using an experienced practitioner will pay dividends, as they should be able to at least partially anticipate this effect and compensate by adjusting the position and dose used. There’s no easy way to predict exactly how the complex interrelating muscles around the eye will adjust to the use of Botox, but practitioners who combine experience with skill and intuition can effectively correct facial asymmetry.

The Benefits of Botox For Area Around Eyes

It’s common for the results of Botox eyelid procedures to last for between 10 and 16 weeks. When the procedure is repeated regularly, the duration of benefits often increases as the treated muscles slowly adapt and require less Botox to achieve the same effect. In some cases, it may be possible to increase the period between treatments.

The duration of benefits from injecting Botox into the eyebrows is somewhat shorter than that seen when using Botox to treat other parts of the face. Only small doses of Botox are used when treating the eyebrows, but the skin around the eyes is the thinnest on the face, and it overlays a rich network of blood vessels. This combination results in the Botox toxin being eliminated from the body relatively quickly. The act of blinking also causes thousands of micro-muscle contractions every day, and this also serves to speed up the elimination process.

Realistic Expectations and Limitations of Botox Treatment

Botox cannot directly counteract having excess skin or lost volume, so it will be more effective in cases where sagging eyelids are linked to muscle activity. For this reason, Botox may not always produce desired results. Your practitioner should be able to determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure.

Schedule a Free Botox Consultation With Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified, with extensive experience performing Botox procedures. We tailor all treatments according to each patient’s needs, and prioritize minimalistic application and natural-looking results. We invite you to contact us for more information on this or any of the other non-invasive cosmetic procedures we offer. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.

While the primary focus of Botox procedures involves using it to relax facial muscles that are linked to dynamic lines and wrinkles, we’re starting to see increased interest in using its ability to modify muscular activity in other areas, including some tied to body posture.

An interesting off-label application involves using Botox to relieve tightness in the trapezius muscles (also known as ‘traps’) that can lead to hunched posture, and associated neck and shoulder pain.

How Your Trapezius Muscles Affect Posture

The trapezius is a large diamond or kite-shaped muscle positioned across the upper back and shoulders. It plays a key role in supporting and aligning the head and neck, but also comes into play when shrugging the shoulders and when lifting one’s arms overhead.

Why Trap Tightness Can Cause Problems

The trap muscles can easily become stressed while spending extended periods hunched over a desk, carrying poorly positioned heavy loads, or even repeatedly bending the neck to look down at one’s phone. When this happens, we tend to adjust the position of our neck and head to exacerbate the hunched posture, which in turn can strain the spine and compress the cervical vertebrae.

Over extended periods, such bad posture can result in adjacent muscles becoming fatigued, and can lead to a wide variety of problems, including reduced mobility, chronic stress, and migraines.

How Botox Can Help Relieve Trap Tightness

Botox (botulinum toxin) works by blocking the transmission of nerve signals that cause muscles to contract. A skilled practitioner with advanced knowledge of anatomy and muscle function can selectively apply Botox to allow overactive muscle fibers to relax, while not having a significant effect on the rest of the muscle group.

Judicious application of Botox can allow tightly contracted parts of the upper trap muscles to progressively relax and lengthen. The process is gradual, so results develop slowly over time.

As the Botox treatment slowly takes effect, it allows fibers within a large complex muscle like the trapezius to dynamically rebalance themselves. It acts to smooth muscle contours and reduce any resistance to correct body positioning. The effect is localized to specific areas that are over-stressed, so there is no significant loss of muscle strength. Botox can act to break the cycle between pain developing and muscles going into spasm in response. This allows body posture to gradually improve as the shoulders relax, and the head and upper body revert to their optimal neutral positions.

Short and Long-Term Benefits of Botox for Trap Muscles

It’s normal to see improvements start to develop 7 to 14 days after treatment, but it can take up to a month for the full effect to develop. In most cases, benefits will persist for between 4 and 6 months after treatment, although in some cases they’ll last considerably longer.

The effects of Botox are temporary, so if you don’t rectify the bad posture that led to the problem in the first case, eventually you’ll need to have the procedure repeated. For some patients, the Botox dose required to treat the problem may become smaller over time, as their body begins to learn how to avoid over-stressing specific muscle fibers.

Your practitioner may also recommend physical therapy; this can also help to address fundamental problems in your posture and reduce the chance of developing stress-related pain again in the future.

Schedule a Botox Appointment with Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified, with extensive experience performing trapezius Botox injections. We tailor all treatments according to each patient’s needs, and prioritize minimalistic application and natural-looking results. We invite you to contact us for more information on this or any of the other non-invasive cosmetic procedures we offer. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.

Celebrities, like the rest of us, don’t all approach cosmetic procedures the same way. Some prefer to do so in private, while others decide to go public and create a significant social media presence that draws attention to the work they’ve had done. There does seem to be a growing trend in which more public figures are ready to talk about procedures like Botox, often through social media,  in much the same way they discuss their exercise routines or lifestyle choices.

Early Adopters Who Changed the Narrative for Botox Treatments

Sharon Osbourne was among the first to talk about her experiences, as far back as the 1990s. In her autobiography and in multiple interviews, she’s described Botox as a revolutionary tool and one of the best beauty treatments ever created.

Celebrities Who Tried It Once but Never Again

Nicole Kidman is one of a small group who tried Botox and decided it was not for them. In Nicole’s case, she backed off after seeing how the procedure, despite improving her appearance, also limited her ability to display the full range of emotions and micro-expressions that are part of her craft as an actor. She now prioritizes looking natural above all else and accepts any facial lines as adding character and authenticity.

Famous Faces Who Learned Moderation the Hard Way

Courteney Cox and Simon Cowell have similar histories of early enthusiasm, several years of enthusiastic over-use, followed by public regrets and a fresh focus on a more natural look. Both used Botox and dermal fillers to try to maintain their youthful looks long past the point where this was possible without paying an unacceptable price. In their cases, they reached a point at which they no longer recognized their own reflections. They both say that they’ve scaled back their use of injectables and are starting to realize that it’s more realistic to prioritize having a more natural look.

Celebs Who Opted for Strategic and Minimalist Use

A smaller number of celebrities speak openly about their use of Botox while prioritizing a natural look. Robin Wright and Vanessa Williams, to name but two, have stated that they now limit Botox procedures. They aim to soften and de-emphasize facial lines, while not restricting their facial movements, thus allowing them to survive the scrutiny that comes with working in front of high-definition cameras and professional lighting.

Botox Trending for Therapeutic Uses

Chrissy Teigen and Kelly Ripa have both discussed their use of Botox as a way to handle medical issues, as well as for cosmetic purposes. Both have used Botox injections to treat chronic jaw pain and reduce stress-related headaches, while Chrissy has also used Botox as a way to reduce excessive underarm sweating. Kelly credits these recent trends and Botox developments with ending her longstanding nocturnal teeth-grinding problem.

Who Was Late to the Party?

Andy Cohen, someone who resisted cosmetic procedures for many years, is one celebrity who has come to realize that a minimalist use of Botox could provide him with valuable benefits while still allowing him to remain natural-looking. He revealed that in addition to losing weight and changing his hairstyle, he’s also recently had a Botox procedure. He is apparently pleased with the results and intends to continue in the future.

Speak with Your Laser Skin Care About Botox Treatments Today

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified, with extensive experience performing Botox procedures. We tailor all treatments according to each patient’s needs, and prioritize minimalistic application and natural-looking results. We invite you to contact us for more information on this or any of the other non-invasive cosmetic procedures we offer. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.

Botox is used to reshape eyebrows by selectively relaxing the muscles that pull them in different directions. The forehead muscles can lift the eyebrows and enhance their natural arch, while other muscles pull them downwards. Careful application of Botox can alter the balance between these muscle groups, achieving subtle improvements in eyebrow height, contour, and symmetry that can last 3 to 6 months.

Muscles That Control Brow Position

The forehead muscles lift the eyebrows, while muscles between the brows and around the eyes pull them downwards and inwards. Using Botox to weaken the downward-pulling muscles that lower the eyebrows allows the muscles that lift the eyebrows to have a greater effect. The net result is to create a smoother, more open contour.

Botox Injection Patterns to Achieve Different Brow Shapes

Injecting small doses of Botox between the eyebrows and near the corners of the eyes can result in a higher arch, while placing micro-doses along the length of the outer eye muscles can help subtly elevate the tail smoothly, without creating visible discontinuities.

Fixing Uneven Brows

It’s not uncommon for slightly asymmetrical muscles to result in one eyebrow sitting slightly lower than the other. The difference may become more apparent when frowning. Applying Botox to the tighter side relaxes it, bringing the level of both eyebrows into agreement.

Choosing Appropriate Doses for the Right Amount of Lift

The Botox doses must be very carefully adjusted to achieve optimum results for a brow lift. Light tail adjustments may require 2 to 4 units, while full-arch adjustments may take 4 to 6 units. Adjustments between the eyebrows can take 6 to 10 units, while complex reshaping of overly flat eyebrows can take up to 20 or even 30 units. Men typically have stronger muscles and require larger doses to achieve similar results.

Repeated Treatments Every Four Months Give Improved Results

As Botox is re-applied, over time treated muscles will weaken, and the required dose to achieve the desired results may reduce. You may find that after a year or two, only half the initial dose is needed to maintain the same results.

Contact Your Laser Skin Care to Learn About Our Botox Eyebrow Techniques

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified, with extensive experience performing Botox procedures. We tailor all treatments to each patient’s needs and prioritize a minimalist approach and natural-looking results. We invite you to contact us for more information on this or any of the other non-invasive cosmetic procedures we offer. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free Botox eyebrow lift consultation, or visit us online for more information.