Botox and Juvederm Injectable Treatments FAQs

Botox Cosmetic is the prescription medicine that’s injected into muscles to temporarily treat moderate to severe lines. It is a natural, purified protein isolated from the Clostridium botulinum bacterium through a highly refined, patented process. Upon injection, this highly specific protein relaxes muscles, allowing the overlaying skin to look smoother. Botox treatments are non-surgical, minimally invasive, simple procedures that are used to treat forehead lines, mid-brow furrows, crow’s feet, down-turned corners of the lips, neck creases and wrinkles, as well as to lift brows. Botox® has also proven effective in the treatment of migraines and hyperhydrosis (excessive perspiration).

Over time, we develop expression lines (or dynamic wrinkles) as a result of muscle activity such as furrowing or smiling. When Botox is injected directly into the muscles, it blocks the transmission of nerve impulses to the injected muscles, thus reducing the activity of the muscles that cause those persistent lines to form. Once the muscle is fully relaxed, there is a significant improvement in the wrinkle and those that are mild to moderate in depth may even temporarily disappear. As long as Botox injections are maintained at regular intervals, the formation of future lines is also prevented because the movements that cause them are restricted.

In 3 to 10 days, you should see a marked improvement in moderate to severe lines. Lines continue to improve for up to a month, and results can last up to 6 months. In clinical trials, nearly 90% of men and women rated the improvement in their appearance as moderate to good one month after treatment. As with any medical procedure or medication, there are variations in individual response to Botox. Results from treatment with Botox can last from 2 to 6 months, with the predominant average among most individuals being three. If you discontinue treatment, the lines will gradually look like they did before treatment. A small number of patients may experience slight bruising, headache, respiratory infection, flu syndrome, temporary eyelid droop or nausea.

Made of stabilized hyaluronic acid, Juvederm is a filler that is injected into and beneath the skin to restore lost volume plump that has led to the development of folds and depressions. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is found naturally in the human skin and muscles. This element is extremely absorbent and is known for its hydrating and volume enhancing properties to the skin. Juvederm is a non-surgical procedure that is administered by your provider. By injecting this uniformly textured gel into strategic areas of the skin and underlying support structures, Juvederm can replace volume that has been depleted as we lose facial fat, muscle, and bone, quickly restoring a more youthful appearance. Juvederm is designed to last 6 to 12 months, while providing the benefit of stimulating your own natural collagen production for even longer lasting results.

Young, healthy-looking skin contains an abundance of a naturally hydrating substance called hyaluronic acid (HA). As you age, sunlight and other factors can reduce the amount of HA in your skin, making the skin more dry and thinner appearing as a result. Additionally, while we tend to gain fat everywhere else, in the face we lose fat, making the face look more drawn and gaunt, while the fat that remains gets pulled down by gravity. The combination of these factors transforms your facial appearance in a less than desirable manner – one sees “jowels”, the “parentheses” lines around your nose and mouth, and hollowing under the eyes and around the chin. Using a dermal filler like Juvederm is a safe and effective way to replace the volume that your face (and hands) have lost, restoring a more youthful look by allowing the skin to “re-drape” over structures that are more in line with what you had as a youth. In addition to adding volume, because hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring molecule who’s primary function is to bind and absorb water, using Juvederm also makes the skin appear much fuller and more moisturized, creating a “glow” as light bounces off the skin’s higher water content.

Botox:

6 syringes of Juvederm Ultra Plus XC (nasolabial folds, marionette lines, under eyes)

2 syringes of Juvederm Ultra Plus XC (nasolabial folds)