Facial Wrinkles
Botox® Cosmetic can reduce and help prevent the appearance of certain facial lines and wrinkles. All injections are performed by Dr. C. B. Boswell, a National Botox® Trainer and Allergan-awarded Expert Injector.
Botox® has become one of the most popular facial rejuvenation treatments for both men and women because of its established safety record and proven ability to soften dynamic wrinkles. These lines develop when facial muscles repeatedly contract during expressions such as smiling, frowning, or squinting. As we age, our skin becomes less elastic and does not spring back as easily after muscle contraction. Over time, expression lines around the eyes, between the brows, and across the forehead become more noticeable and permanent.
Botox® Cosmetic works by temporarily blocking the nerve signals that cause specific facial muscles to contract. When these muscles relax, the appearance of crow’s feet, vertical lines between the brows, and horizontal forehead lines is softened.
What to Expect
Results are not immediate:
- Initial improvement typically begins within 2–3 days.
- Approximately 60% of the effect is visible after about one week.
- Full results generally develop within two weeks.
- Results typically last approximately four months.
Botox® should not make you look expressionless. You will continue to look natural when you smile, laugh, or frown, while the treated lines appear softer.
Botox®, Dysport®, Xeomin®, Jeuveau®, and Daxxify®
Patients who have previously received Dysport® may also be candidates for Botox® Cosmetic. However, the units of Botox® and Dysport® are not interchangeable.
In clinical trials submitted for FDA approval, patients treated in the glabellar region received 20 units of Botox® or 50 units of Dysport®. Dysport® may spread or migrate farther than Botox® Cosmetic, so the injection patterns differ between the two products. For injections around the mouth—including perioral wrinkles or downturned corners of the mouth—Botox® Cosmetic may be preferable because it offers more precise placement and less migration.
Dysport® may begin working slightly faster than Botox® Cosmetic, but both products generally provide similar longevity.
Other available neurotoxins include Xeomin®, Jeuveau®, and Daxxify®:
- Xeomin® and Jeuveau® cost approximately 80% as much as Botox® and may last about 75% as long. More frequent treatments may therefore be needed over the course of a year.
- Daxxify® may last up to six months, but it is more expensive than Botox®. Some patients may require a touch-up approximately four weeks after the initial treatment to achieve the full six-month result.
Excessive Perspiration (Hyperhidrosis)
In addition to treating facial lines, Botox® is highly effective for hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating. It can reduce sweating in the forehead, scalp, armpits, palms, and soles of the feet.
Depending on the dosage and treatment area, results typically last approximately six months to one year. Botox® primarily reduces sweat production and generally has little effect on body odor.
Underarm Sweating
The underarms are the most common treatment area for hyperhidrosis. Excessive sweating can cause embarrassing sweat stains and damage clothing.
Typical dosing is:
- 50 units per axilla: approximately 4–6 months of relief
- 75 units per axilla: approximately 6–9 months of relief
- 100 units per axilla: approximately 12–15 months of relief
Palm Sweating
Botox® may also be used to treat sweaty palms. Common reasons for treatment include uncomfortable handshakes and sweating that interferes with grip during activities such as golf or tennis.
A typical dose is 50 units per hand, with results lasting approximately 6–9 months. Because some patients may experience temporarily reduced grip strength, treatment may begin with one hand. The second hand can be treated after reassessment approximately two weeks later. Once a patient has responded well to treatment, both palms may be treated during the same appointment.
Forehead, Scalp, and Facial Sweating
Patients with excessive sweating of the forehead, scalp, or face may benefit from Botox® injections administered in a grid-like pattern across the affected area.
Botox® may also help treat Frey’s syndrome, a condition that can develop after parotid surgery when facial nerve fibers regrow into the skin and cause sweating while eating. For most patients, treatment controls this sweating for approximately six months.
Schedule a Consultation for Botox Injections in St. Louis
Individual results and treatment duration vary. Scheduling a consultation is required to determine whether Botox® or another treatment is appropriate for you.