Botox

One of the earliest and most common signs of aging is the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on your face. These marks of age can be caused by a variety of factors, including cellular changes, collagen depletion, lifestyle choices and damage caused by free radicals and UV light. Though they may all look the same, there are actually two types of wrinkles on your face, and each one requires a different treatment approach to restore your skin to a smooth and youthful state.

Active vs. Passive Wrinkles

Passive wrinkles are the lines that appear due solely to genetics and effects of the environment. Thin or dry skin, smoking, sun exposure, an unhealthy diet — all of these contribute to the breakdown of collagen and elastin in your skin, leaving you with varying degrees of damage. Passive wrinkles are treated by adding volume below the skin surface with injectable dermal fillers.

Active wrinkles are caused by long-term repetitive use of the muscles in your face. When you frown or concentrate, the muscles between your brows contract, causing your skin to furrow and fold. When you squint, the muscles around your eyes contract and cause crow’s feet. You use these muscles all day every day, and over time, these wrinkles etch themselves deeper and deeper into your face. Active wrinkles are treated by temporarily deactivating the muscles with a neuromodulator like Botox®.

What Is Botox®

In the past, the only way to get rid of active wrinkles was to undergo a surgical facelift or brow lift. But in 2002, the FDA approved Botox® for use in treating moderate to severe frown lines and glabellar lines (the vertical lines between the brows), and in 2013, Botox® was FDA approved for treating crow’s feet as well. Today Botox® is the number one nonsurgical cosmetic treatment available, with nearly five million people taking advantage of its anti-aging effects in the past year.

Botox® is formulated from a strain of botulinum toxin, a purified protein that is derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Clostridium botulinum was discovered in 1895 and has since been the subject of extensive research into its potential therapeutic and cosmetic uses. When injected into the areas targeted for treatment, Botox® works to temporarily reduce the activity of those muscles. The result is not only smoother skin, but with regular use, Botox® can help “train” the muscles to relax. This reduces the chance of recurrence of those wrinkles and as well as the formation of new ones.

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Ideal Candidates for Botox®

Botox® is best known for its cosmetic applications. Botox® can help improve the appearance of:

Forehead creases
Glabellar lines
Crow’s feet
Bunny lines
Gummy smile
Drooping brows
Chin dimples
Masseter muscle hypertrophy
Vertical neck bands
Downturned mouth corners

Botox® treatments are also useful for treating medical conditions such as:

Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
Chronic migraines
Neck pain
Overactive bladder
Eyelid spasms
Strabismus

Dr. Anthony Terrasse has been treating patients for over 30 years and is known for delivering exceptional Botox® in Lake Forest and the surrounding areas of Chicago’s North Shore. He regularly performs this procedure for women and men of all ages at his practice. Ideal candidates for Botox® are non-smokers and have no allergies or preexisting medical conditions that would make treatment inadvisable. Botox® should not be used in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and in areas that are irritated or infected.

A consultation with Dr. Terrasse will determine if you are suited for Botox® injections. If not, Dr. Terrasse will recommend alternatives that can achieve the same or similar effects.

The Botox® Procedure

Your Botox® consultation with Dr. Terrasse is an in-depth discussion of your concerns and goals and an exploration of your treatment options. During this initial visit, Dr. Terrasse will examine your face and review your medical history. This ensures you are receiving the appropriate treatment for your needs and that your care is personalized. He will explain what to expect regarding the procedure, downtime, risks and benefits, costs and other important matters, and answer any questions you have about Botox®. This is also a good time to ask Dr. Terrasse about any additional treatments that may be of interest to you.

Your Botox® procedure will take place at our beautiful Lake Forest facility. The injections are administered with a very small needle that does not require anesthetic. Most patients report only minor discomfort. A topical numbing cream can be applied prior to the injections if necessary. To ensure a beautiful and precise outcome, Dr. Terrasse administers Botox® in small doses, carefully calculating what is needed to induce muscle relaxation and enhance the unique characteristics of your face. The treatment can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour to complete, depending on the size and the number of areas being targeted.

Botox® Recovery and Results

Because it is a minimally invasive treatment, most patients are able to return to work and other daily activities as soon as their Botox® session is done. The most common side effects include minor bruising, swelling or discomfort in the treated area. Dr. Terrasse will explain post-procedure guidelines and aftercare instructions to minimize these effects as much as possible.

The results of your Botox® injections will become apparent within a few days after your appointment. The targeted lines and creases will relax and smooth out, giving your face a more youthful finish and a softer expression. Dr. Terrasse’s technique ensures that muscles are not over-treated, thus preventing the artificial frozen look. Longevity varies depending on the treatment area and your body chemistry, but Botox® results typically last three to four months before maintenance is required. A consistent schedule of Botox® sessions may gradually result in treatment benefits that last longer.

Get Started With Lake Forest Botox®

If you are frustrated by fine lines and wrinkles that make you look older than you feel, Botox® may be the solution to your problems. Dr. Terrasse is a leading plastic surgeon in the Chicago area. With decades of expertise and an eye for aesthetics, his approach to facial rejuvenation delivers results that preserve individuality and facial expression and look seamlessly natural. Call Terrasse Aesthetic Plastic Surgery today at 847-234-2400 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Terrasse and discover whether Botox® is right for you.