In the anti-aging world too often we are forced to focus on newer, better, cutting edge, state-of-the-art technologies and products, yet those of us who see incredible results every day from wrinkle relaxers such as Botox know that just because something isn’t new doesn’t mean it’s not the gold standard.
Botox’s remarkable versatility allows us to relax repeated muscle contractions that cause deep lines and wrinkles through the face, such as 11 lines between brows, crows feet and “bunny lines” on the nose; erase marionette lines and lift the corners of the mouth, and even smooth vertical bands on the neck and tighten the jaw. In the right hands there is tremendous precision and great rewards with awesome predictability, and no down time for these treatments.
Here are 15 things Botox or Dysport can do that you might not have heard about!
Botox can “De-Squaring” the jaw (facial slimming). One universally loved treatment is the reduction of enlarged chewing muscles, aka masseter muscles in the back of the jaw line. Many people tend to express stress by clenching their jaw or even grinding their teeth while they sleep. All the internalized stress placed on the jaw muscles is a workout, resulting in enlargement of the muscles– just as if you were strength training in a gym. Botox injection shrinks the muscle and slims the jawline. After one or two treatments, the results last for a year or more, and can have other positive effects, like making your cheeks appear more lifted and relieving the pain and soreness that can result from teeth grinding. Not to mention better sleep and throwing away your mouth guard for good!
Botox can define the jawline. The so called "Nefertiti lift" refers to injecting specific points along the jawline with Botox to decrease the downward pull of neck muscles, allowing the elevators of the jawline to work unopposed, resulting in a tighter, crisper jaw line.
Botox can lift the Eyebrow & balance. A Chemical lift of the brows by injecting a concentrated dose in the brow tail is a very popular treatment, but harder than it looks! Precise dosing and placement is required for lasting, natural looking results. The same is true for correcting brow asymmetry, which often worsens with age and volume loss. This is an advanced application that simply wows patients who have been dealing with lopsided brows for years!
Botox can open the eye. Our eyes become squinty with age, mostly due to heavy eyelids but also due to an overactive small muscle right under lower eyelid, causing the so called "eye roll". Injecting a tiny dose of Botox into this muscle opens the eye aperture, specially creating a wide awake and refreshed look upon smiling!
Botox can flip the frown upside down. No one likes the "resting bitch face", caused by frowning and a sad looking, down turned mouth corners. A tiny dose of Botox in this area can lift the mouth corners and improve the pesky lines below the mouth that form as a result.
Botox can resolve chin dimpling. The Mentalis muscle in the chin becomes overactive with age, and like buttons on an ottoman or sofa, pulls down the overlying skin and creates an unappealing dimpled or "orange peel" texture in the chin. 4-6 units of Botox (or Dysport) can completely get rid of those dimples, preventing them from becoming permanent marks in the future.
Botox can increase lip show. Kylie Jenner–style fillers aren't the only way to create voluminous, youthful-looking lips. Injection of tiny drops of Botox along the upper lip border will roll the top lip up and out slightly so it appears plumper. It's subtler than fillers, and because the technique requires less Botox than other areas of the face, it's also less expensive. This is another advanced application of Botox that should only be performed by experienced and well trained injectors to avoid side effects.
Botox can decrease a gummy smile. There are two kinds of gummy smile, one from lip elevation when smiling and one from the lip rolling under. Based on correct diagnosis of the type of gummy smile, a few units of Botox injected precisely into the responsible muscles can alleviate this condition.
Botox can reduce the vertical lines around the mouth. Botox or Dysport is an effective, quick and safe alternative to more expensive fillers and laser treatments for eradicating fine vertical lines around the mouth. Not to mention they are a good preventative treatments for the "bar code look" that everyone hates! Candidate selection is key, as is proper technique.
Botox can lift the nose tip. The nose can begin to sag and become more hooked with age, making the whole face appear droopy; Botox injection at the base of the nose (between the nostrils) can release the depressor muscle that pulls the nose downward, and lift the nose in a few minutes and with a few units. Not everyone is a candidate, so proper evaluation is key. Results are subtle, and sometimes need to be combined with fillers for best outcome.
Botox can smooth the neck. Have you heard of the "tech neck"? Horizontal neck wrinkles (necklace bands) are becoming more and more common due to frequent use of gadgets and i-phones. Tiny amounts of dilute Botox or Dysport can be injected into the bands, relaxing the muscles causing the wrinkles and smoothing the bands. Additional treatments with fillers or lasers are sometimes needed if they are etched in.
Botox can reduce platysma bands on the neck. This is one of my all time favorite off-label uses of neuromodulators. Vertical neck muscles (platysma muscles) connect the jawline to the chest, and start to enlarge and protrude as we age, resulting in the appearance of thick, tight cords with animation. And if that didn't already sound bad enough, the muscles in the neck and the superficial muscles of the face are connected to one another, so the platysma muscles can pull down the face, creating jowls, vertical lines in lower face, and horizontal lines and crepey skin in the neck. Relaxing them with Botox softens wrinkles, gets rid of the cords, and lifts the face. In some instances, it can even really slim a wide neck!
Botox can shrink pores. When diluted, tiny amounts of Botox or Dysport are infused through the skin, typically with a microneedling device called the Gold Pen, by relaxing tiny muscles beneath the surface of the skin and near each pore, the pores temporarily become smaller, and the skin develops a smooth, glowing complexion. This is another patient favorite, and often combined with infusing other skin care ingredients such as vitamin C or B, PRP, and Hyaluronic acid fillers for best results.
Botox can help manage acne. Tiny amounts of Botox injected very superficially help reduce oil production, reducing breakouts. Candidate selection is key, as not all acne is caused by excessive oil production, and other cheaper treatments, like spironolactone or birth control pills should be tried first. The most effective and common area for using Botox to curb oil production is the forehead. and between the brows. This is a nice added benefit to anti-wrinkle injections in the upper face and chin!
Botox can calm excessive sweating. Similar to the way Botox works on muscles, it prevents the message from your nerves from getting to your sweat glands, stopping them from producing sweat. We can use Botox to treat hyperhidrosis (medically diagnosed excessive sweating) by injecting the area—say, the underarms or palms. Results typically last 6 months or more, and can be life changing in many patients suffering from excessive sweating. This usage has been approved by the FDA. I recommend it for people who have tried clinical-strength and prescription antiperspirants with no success.
Who's Your Injector? Whether on or "off" label, skill and experience are vital in achieving both the effects you want and achieving them safely. The power of Botox Cosmetic Or Dysport treatments can be substantial in the right hands.
If you would like to learn more about if any of these treatments are right for you, call my office to schedule your complimentary consultation.
Meet Dr. Vanden Bosch!
Dr. V - Neda Vanden Bosch is an highly-trained physician and sought after injector of dermal fillers and neurotoxins. With over 10 years of experience in aesthetic medicine, she is a faculty member of the prestigious Galderma Injection Training Network (GAIN) and trains physicians how to perform cosmetic procedures. Dr. V was recently named to Galderma's Top 100 Injectors. She has had extensive training and experience with collagen stimulators, laser and radiofrequency treatment, as well as skin care. Dr. V is licensed in 10 states. She is board certified by the American Board of Radiology. Dr. V has treated thousands of patients with injectables and has numerous of hours of experience perfecting specialized injection placement to correct facial volume loss and facial asymmetries. Preciseness with a woman's deft touch means the best and longest lasting results from volume replacement treatments. Dr. V was named a "Top Doctor" by online, aesthetic and cosmetic treatment community Realself.com. This recognition is awarded to less than 10% of doctors site wide. Most recently, she was named as one of the 2020 TOP Aesthetic doctors by Aesthetic Everything.