Botox works by limiting or preventing muscle movements in specific locations. Its effects typically last for between 3 and 6 months, during which time overactive muscles can rest, while untreated adjacent muscles have the opportunity to become more active. When applied skillfully, the Botox practitioner has the opportunity to rebalance or retrain facial muscles, improving facial dynamics while avoiding crudely paralyzing facial movement.
Achieving Balance in Everyday Expressions
Botox is commonly used to address deep wrinkles linked to repeated frowning or grimacing. But it doesn’t only function by inhibiting muscle contraction, it also indirectly retrains neural pathways, having the longer-term effect of reducing the muscle memory associated with extreme expressions. Over time patients can actually start to learn how to express emotions using less muscle activity, and this can actually reduce the Botox dose needed to maintain results in subsequent treatments, and lengthen the period needed between repeated applications.
Correcting Muscle Imbalances Caused by Facial Palsy
Bell’s palsy is a condition linked to temporary weakness or paralysis of muscles on one side of the face. Recovery takes several months, during which time therapy is required to prevent nerve spasms from creating permanent contraction of one half of the face. Botox has been successfully used in combination with physical therapy to prevent these unwanted muscle spasms, and to restore facial symmetry.
Enhancing Lower Face Appearance
Overactive depressor muscles are linked to the appearance of a downturned mouth, resulting in an unwanted stern appearance. Precise Botox doses are able to counteract this downward movement, and by careful balancing with the other muscles that control the mouth and lips, can create a subtle lift that enhances the symmetry of the lower face.
Long-Term Considerations
Botox is effective when used to counteract wrinkles caused by dynamic muscle movements, but it cannot help reduce the appearance of static lines and wrinkles caused by loose skin linked to the age-related loss of collagen. Dermal fillers can be used to address these problems.
Long-term application of Botox can lead to a reduction in the size of muscle fibers, which needs to be carefully managed to avoid unwanted strain and possible asymmetry due to adjacent muscle groups. A medically trained and experienced practitioner will be your best choice to perform Botox treatments when complex trade-offs linked to facial anatomy become necessary.
Consult the Experts 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. 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
