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Nasolabial folds are the name given to the creases that run from the sides of the nose down to the corners of the mouth. They become more apparent as we age and our skin starts to lose its elasticity, and fat deposits beneath the skin start to shrink.

In some cases, nasolabial folds are caused by a loss of volume around the base of the nose, while in others, they are linked to muscle activity, which can affect how deeply the lines become etched into the skin.

Marionette lines describe lines extending vertically from the corners of the mouth down to the jawline. They create a downturned expression, which is another symptom of the aging process, when gravity pulls against the soft tissue around the lower face. Some marionette lines are linked to muscle activity; in this case, the depressor muscles are used to pull the mouth downwards.

Common Causes of Nasolabial Folds and Marionette Lines

The normal aging process is the primary reason for developing both, as the natural production of collagen and elastin starts to slow. This process can begin as early as the mid-20s, but greatly accelerates as we age. Repetitive muscle activity contributes to their development, much more for some individuals than others.

Other external causes also play a role, ranging from excessive sun exposure, smoking or alcohol consumption, and genetic factors that can influence changes in hormone levels during the menopause.

Treatment Options

Dermal fillers are often used to reduce the appearance of both issues, but in cases where the lines are linked to muscle activity, Botox can offer an effective alternative.

Microneedling treatments can also be used to stimulate collagen production, and chemical peels can be used to remove the outer layers of the skin, revealing smoother skin layers beneath.

Botox as a Treatment for Nasolabial Folds

Botox injections into adjacent muscles can relax the muscles that accentuate the nasolabial folds, resulting in a softening of the lines and a more relaxed appearance. This treatment is only effective when the folds are tied to muscle activity; it is far less effective in cases when the formation of skin folds is linked to sagging skin or loss of volume.

Botox as a Treatment for Marionette Lines

Botox can be injected into the depressor muscles that serve to pull the corners of the mouth downwards. Weakening these muscles leads to a subtle lifting of the corners of the mouth, which also tends to reduce the severity of vertical lines.

Treatment results are achieved without adding the bulk that would come from the use of dermal fillers, which is advantageous as it allows for more natural-looking results to be achieved.

Long-term Advantages of Botox Treatments

In common with other uses of Botox, results are temporary, lasting for up to 6 months. When applied expertly, Botox can be used to achieve excellent results, and it can be combined with other treatment options, for example, dermal fillers, to help combat lines that are static, and not directly linked to muscle activity.

Repeated application of Botox over longer time periods can have other benefits, as treated muscles learn to become less active, and hence require repeated treatment less frequently.

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

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

For most people considering Botox, a major concern is, “Will I end up looking frozen?” The stiff, unnaturally expressionless face that many fear has been the punchline of jokes for many years, and it is a very real fear for many newcomers to using Botox and other neurotoxin injectables. We have good news for you: Botox, when injected using modern techniques by experienced injectors, is actually designed to do the opposite – it helps you achieve a subtly fresh, more youthful appearance that looks entirely natural. In this article, we will explain how we achieve remarkably natural outcomes by harnessing our in-depth knowledge of anatomy, personalized care, and diligent follow-up.

Refreshed, Not Frozen

The true power of Botox isn’t erasing all facial movement to prevent lines; it’s about softening your facial lines without impacting your natural facial expressions. After Botox, you should still be able to move your eyebrows, smile naturally, and look surprised when you’re actually surprised. To achieve this natural look, the best approach is to “start low and go slow”. This approach is sometimes referred to as “Baby Botox” and is a great way for a first-timer to dip their toes into trying Botox without experiencing a dramatic change. The goal of this technique is simple: to look like you’re refreshed and rested without looking unnaturally frozen.

Why Bad Results Happen

So, why do some people end up looking completely frozen or strange after Botox? The answer usually comes down to an improper balance between the different muscles in the face. For example, if the forehead’s lifting muscles (the frontalis) are relaxed too much, it can cause a drooping brow (brow ptosis). This droop can cause a person to look heavy and tired. If the wrong balance is struck around the eyes, the eyelids can become droopy (eyelid ptosis). And then there’s the “Spock Eyebrow” that is caused by an imbalance in the muscles that leads to an unnaturally overarched eyebrow.

These outcomes are usually caused by over-treating or under-treating areas, which leads to imbalance. More specifically, it’s not about the Botox itself, but rather poor technique and precision that cause these issues.

Customization is Key

Botox is not a one-size-fits-all treatment; every person’s face is structured very differently. A skilled injector will take a slow, methodical approach to mapping out your facial anatomy to assess how strong or weak your individual muscle groups are and to see how they all work together. They should also factor in unique facial features, like hooded eyes, which might require slight adjustments in their treatment plan.

Most importantly, your injector should listen to your goals and concerns and create a plan that works based on those. Whether it’s subtle smoothing or a gentle lift, a customized plan will help you achieve the results you want, without looking unnatural. It takes true artistry and precision on the part of the injector to achieve a natural look.

The Two-Week Follow-Up

Botox is not a one-stop process. A standard part of treatment is to follow up in two weeks to see how your face is responding. This is the time that the injector can evaluate your results and fine-tune them with micro-adjustments, with a few extra units where needed. This often overlooked step ensures that your results are balanced, natural, and never appear “frozen”.

The primary usage of Botox does not directly influence sleep quality, but Botox has many potential uses, and it can be used to treat several non-cosmetic conditions that can have a significant effect on the overall quality of sleep. This blog examines these situations.

Botox and Sleep Bruxism

Sleep bruxism is the name given to the involuntary clenching or grinding of the teeth while sleeping. It’s a relatively common problem, which can lead to accelerated tooth wear, as well as jaw pain and discomfort.

Sleep bruxism has several possible causes, including elevated levels of stress. Studies have shown that injecting Botox into the large masseter jaw muscles can result in a decrease in the levels of nocturnal jaw muscle contractions, without having negative effects on the normal use of the jaw muscles while eating. When used this way, Botox can provide temporary relief from sleep bruxism, with benefits typically lasting for up to 12 weeks.

Botox and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea, which involves repeated interruptions in sleep caused by the cessation of breathing, can result from a variety of causes. In some cases, sleep apnea can be traced to abnormal contractions of the jaw muscles, which in turn can cause the airway to become constricted. Botox injections into the masseter muscles have been shown to be able to greatly reduce the problem.

In other cases, Botox injections into the soft palate or base of the tongue have resulted in a reduction in the severity of sleep apnea caused by constriction of the airway. These results depend on individual circumstances and are not reproducible in all patients.

Some cerebral palsy patients suffer from sleep apnea caused by uncontrolled muscle spasms; Botox has been shown to provide relief in this situation.

Botox and Overactive Bladders

Botox can provide relief in cases where sleep is frequently interrupted by the need to urinate during the night. In this case, Botox is used to reduce the intensity and frequency of bladder muscle contractions. The benefits, although temporary, can last for up to 6 months.

Botox for Migraines and TMJ

Botox has been shown to provide significant relief for patients suffering from chronic migraines, often linked to stress in the TMJ (temporomandibular joints) that connect the jaw to the skull. Botox injections into the masseter muscles are considered an effective way to treat this disorder.

Botox and Restless Leg Syndrome

Some patients suffer from sleep interruptions caused by extreme cases of restless leg syndrome. Botox has also been used with some success in this situation.

Improve Your Sleep and Comfort with a Personalized Botox Treatment

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified, with extensive experience performing Botox procedures, including for the relief of migraine and TMJ pain. 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

Restylane is a well-known and respected family of dermal filler products, covering the full range of cosmetic applications.

Restylane is used to help disguise many of the unwanted effects of aging, including the development of fine lines and wrinkles, and unwanted loss of volume beneath the skin. Restylane fillers are viscous injectable gels whose primary ingredient is hyaluronic acid. This is a naturally occurring substance in the body, which serves to attract and bind moisture. Injecting this creates additional bulk beneath the skin, which in turn counteracts areas that have lost volume. The filler also becomes integrated with cells beneath the skin, and has the additional long-term benefit of stimulating the body’s production of collagen, a vital substance that contributes to overall skin health and vitality.

Restylane products use a higher viscosity gel than other products, which makes them more suitable as a way of adding additional bulk to areas where the product must be sculpted to address lost volume, such as the cheeks, chin, and hands. One variant, Restylane Kysse, has a smoother consistency that makes it more suitable for use in and around the lips.

Loss of Efficiency Over Time

In common will all other hyaluronic-acid based formulations, the benefits gradually lessen over time as the filler is slowly absorbed, metabolized, and eliminated by the body. It’s hard to predict with certainty how long the benefits of a Restylane treatment will last; the duration is influenced by many factors, including the precise formulation used, however results are commonly seen to last for up to 6-12 months.

Duration of Different Restylane Variants

Restylane Kysse (used for the lips) typically gives results that last up to 12 months. Restylane Lyft (used for chin augmentation and as a way to address lost volume in the cheeks) lasts for between 6 and 9 months. Other Restylane variants can last 6-12 months, especially when used on parts of the face that are not subject to regular movement.

Absorption of any dermal filler product is accelerated when it’s injected into an area that is regularly stressed by muscle activity, such as the lips. Denser Restylane formulations degrade more slowly than do thinner ones. Other factors that influence the longevity of dermal fillers include the patient’s level of physical activity, metabolism, lifestyle, as well as the skill level and experience of the practitioner who performs the procedure.

Comparison with Other Dermal Fillers

There are a large number of available dermal filler products on the market, so it is not possible to generalize. However, some Restylane variants have a somewhat denser and more granular texture than other products, which may result in longer lasting results. But choosing the best filler product for a particular use is not as simple as simply choosing the longest-lasting one. Dermal fillers must provide several sometimes contradictory benefits, including texture, consistency, longevity, suitability for a particular area, the ability to enhance appearance while still looking natural, and finally safety and reversibility.

Your practitioner has to choose the product (or products) that provide the best balance between these different trade-offs. You should certainly discuss your concerns and objectives with your practitioner; this will help them to guide you towards the best solution for your particular needs.

Enhance Your Look Today with a Personalized Restylane Treatment

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified, with extensive experience performing dermal filler treatments. 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.

Botox works in places where the formation of lines and wrinkles is directly caused by repetitive muscle activity. It works by temporarily blocking the transmission of the nerve signals that cause individual muscles to contract. As a result, some parts of the face respond far better to the application of Botox than do other locations.

The areas where Botox is useful are influenced by facial anatomy, and the size of the muscle groups concerned. In all cases it’s important that Botox use can be confined to the specific areas being treated, so that it doesn’t migrate to other parts of the face where it might have unwanted results.

This blog summarizes the parts of the face where you can expect to see good results from using Botox.

Forehead (Worry Lines)

The frontalis muscle serves to lift the eyebrows, with the generally unwanted side-effect of creating horizontal lines across the forehead. This muscle has a broad, flat structure that responds well to the application of Botox., allowing Botox to provide a significant reduction in the appearance of these lines.

Glabellar Region (Frown Lines or “Elevens”)

The corrugator supercilii and procerus muscles are together involved when we frown, resulting in the development of vertical or diagonal lines between the eyebrows. These muscle groups are relatively compact and well defined, and as a result it’s possible to significantly reduce the appearance of associated lines with the application of Botox.

Periorbital Area (Crow’s Feet)

The orbicularis oculi muscles surround our eye sockets, and are responsible for the development of radial lines when we smile, or squint our eyes. These muscles are relatively shallow, and can be effectively treated with quite low doses of Botox. Care must be taken to avoid any possibility of Botox migrating, and having unwanted side-effects such as impairing the ability to blink.

Nasal Area (Bunny Lines)

The procerus and nasalis muscles are involved when we wrinkle the nasal bridge area. These are relatively small muscles, and respond well to low doses of Botox. It’s rare to develop permanent (static) lines in this area, but Botox can help reduce any dynamic lines that have developed.

Perioral Area (Lip Lines or Smoker’s Lines)

The orbicularis oris muscle come into play when we purse our lips, and can result in the development of vertical lines above the lips. Small doses of Botox are highly effective in reducing these lines; muscle anatomy allows Botox to be applied without risking unwanted effects to surrounding muscle groups. The “lip flip” procedure allows the profile of the upper lip to be enhanced by targeting the depressor septi nasi muscle.

Masseter Muscle (Jawline)

The powerful masseter muscles can become over-developed and cause the accumulation of unwanted bulk. Larger Botox doses can achieve a reduction of the size of these muscles, with resulting improvements to the profile and relative appearance of the chin area. They can also help address the results of excessive teeth grinding.

Mentalis Muscle (Chin Dimpling)

The mentalis muscle serves to lift the chin area, which can result in the development of unwanted skin dimpling. Small Botox doses can be very effective in reversing this condition.

Ready to Refresh Your Look With Botox? Contact Us 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. 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

A common age-related complaint is the development of sunken cheeks. They’re associated with aging and are also commonly assumed to indicate health problems, malnutrition, or illness. They also result in generally unwanted changes to the proportions of the face, and can often exaggerate the appearance of other parts of the face, including the jawline and under-the-eyes.

While dermal fillers are the go-to treatment for loss of volume around the face, there has been a movement towards using Botox in this situation. Although Botox is primarily used to treat muscle-related facial lines and wrinkles, it is also increasingly being used to help adjust facial contours.

Causes of Sunken Cheeks

Loss of volume in and around the cheeks can be caused by several factors, but is primarily due to age-related reduction in the fat deposits beneath the skin. This occurs with the natural reduction in the body’s ability to produce collagen, elastin, and facial fat as it ages. Other factors can influence the process, including rapid weight loss, medical history, lifestyle choices, and genetic factors.

Using Botox to Adjust Facial Contours

Although Botox is traditionally used to address facial wrinkles, it has also found use as a way to adjust the contours of the face linked to overdeveloped masseter (chewing) muscles around the jawline. Judicious application of Botox to these muscles can achieve a reduction in their size over time.

Reducing the size of the masseter muscles can help create a slimmer-looking lower face. This, in turn, can change the profile of one’s face, as it causes the midface area to appear more prominent relative to the lower facial area. By creating a more balanced facial profile, Botox treatment can help draw attention away from the cheek area and reduce the visual perception of sunken cheeks.

An interesting technique can be used to mitigate any potential to exaggerate the appearance of cheek hollowness – different Botox doses can be applied at various locations along the masseter muscles. Using a larger dose in the thickest part of the muscle, combined with smaller doses on either side, can help achieve better results.

Limitations of the Technique

As opposed to dermal fillers, Botox does not act to restore lost facial volume. Its benefits occur mainly by adjusting facial contours. In cases where significant facial volume has been lost, it may still be necessary to use dermal fillers to compensate for lost layers of fat. Fortunately, the two procedures act to complement each other, and can be jointly used when appropriate.

The ability to use Botox to address sunken cheeks varies according to each individual. Your anatomy, facial structure, and the severity of your volume loss will dictate whether Botox can help address your situation. Discuss any concerns with your practitioner – assuming that they are experienced with the use of Botox in this situation, they will be able to help you decide if it’s an appropriate treatment for your particular situation.

Speak With Your Laser Skin Care About Whether Botox Is Right for You

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified, with extensive experience performing Botox treatments, including its use to adjust facial profiles. 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