As we get older our appearance begins to change and our skin demonstrates these differences most noticeably. Wrinkles and sagginess can cause our faces to look tired because of this process and, unfortunately, they can stop us from appearing healthy and alert even when we are. BOTOX® injections are one of the best cosmetic treatments for reducing these common signs of aging and restoring your face to a more youthful appearance.

The Science of Glabellar Lines
Glabellar lines — lines that appear around the brows and forehead — are one of the most noticeable signs of an aging face. Corrugator supercilii muscles, deep within the skin, begin at the eyebrows (near the nose) and spread out laterally. These muscles allow us to move our eyebrows and are responsible for vertical furrows or creases on the forehead (such as when we are frowning or concentrating). The orbicularis oculi muscle is set near the corrugators supercilii muscles (at the eyelids, parts of the cheeks and the temple of the head) and gives us the ability to blink or close our eyes. This muscle, after years of contracting and releasing, leads to the formation of the “crow’s feet” we’re all familiar with.

Use of these two sets of muscles, over our entire lives, also leads to the formation of glabellar lines. The repeated clenching and unclenching of the corrugators supercilii and orbicularis oculi muscles creases the overlying skin. As age strips our skin of its elastic properties it is less able to rebound from this effect and eventually forms wrinkles, folds and/or creases.

How Does BOTOX® Help?
BOTOX® injections are able to address the problem of glabellar lines by directly targeting their underlying cause: muscle contraction. When BOTOX® is directed to the underlying muscles (through an injection that is aimed no closer than 1cm above the middle of the eyebrow) it relaxes them and gives the skin the opportunity it needs to smooth itself. This works to drastically reduce the appearance of glabellar lines and restores a youthful look.

A single BOTOX® injection will provide noticeable effects for roughly three months before lining returns and becomes apparent again. Follow-up treatments are required for patients who wish to maintain naturally smoother-looking skin over a longer period of time. Your physician will assess your problem area(s) and personal goals in order to determine the best course of treatment, working with you to ensure that you’re able to be happy with your appearance.