5 Things You Need to Know Before Getting Botox

It can be disconcerting to start to see wrinkles on your once smooth face. In every photo, you may see creases accentuated by the camera flash. And don’t even mention when you walk by the mirror and try not to move a muscle in your face so no lines are revealed. Unfortunately, wrinkles are a part of aging, and they may come sooner than expected.

But all is not lost! One of the most common and effective solutions to these unsightly wrinkles is Botox. It is a neuromodulator, which means that when Botox is injected into muscles, the muscles in the area relax and wrinkles are diminished. As the lead injector at Coast Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center in Laguna Beach, CA, I know firsthand the do’s and don’ts of Botox. I put together this handy list to help anyone who is considering Botox.

Here are the 5 things you need to know before getting Botox:

1. Injection Area Does Not Always Equal Problem Area

Understanding where to inject Botox is, of course, one of the most important steps. Your face is more complex than you’d think, which is why I integrate technique with artistic skills to harmonize your look.

It’s not enough to just inject the treatment area — anyone could do that — but injecting in the correct location to treat the underlying cause requires a certain level of expertise. According to Allergan’s Botox Cosmetic Prescribing Information, “the safe and effective use of Botox Cosmetic depends upon proper storage of the product, selection of the correct dose, and proper reconstitution and administration techniques.” After all, you don’t want to be a classic example of ‘botched’ cosmetic procedures, but instead, take a few years off your appearance while still looking like yourself.

2. Know the No-Go Zones

Knowing where not to inject is as important as understanding what to inject. The main area to avoid as an injector is the orbital bone above the pupil. If injected, an eyelid droop can develop as a result. According to Allergan, the most common repercussions of incorrect injection include:

• Headache (9%)
• Eyelid ptosis (3%)
• Brow ptosis (2%)
• Eyelid edema (1%)

3. Upper ⅓ of the Face

Even though Botox can technically be injected into any muscle, it has been proven most effective in the upper third of the face. The most common problem areas to treat, in this region, with Botox include:

• Frown lines
• Crow’s feet
• Brow lines
• Worry lines
• Wrinkles around or under the eyes

4. Bottom ⅔: Proceed with Caution

On the other hand, the lower ⅔ of the face is more sensitive, especially on and around the mouth. Even though incorrect injection around the mouth can lead to difficulty moving the area, if injected correctly, results take years off your face. For a long time, Botox has been confused, by consumers, with dermal fillers as being an injectable for smile lines. Dermal fillers are more appropriate for around the mouth, however, Botox can be used on the following problem areas by an expert:

• Vertical lip lines
• “Bunny” lines on the nose
• Neck bands
• Mouth corners
• Gummy smile
• Chin dimples
• Masseter muscle

5. Most Mistakes Happen in the Forehead

Since Botox is typically injected into the forehead, most mistakes happen there. Again, this is usually from too much Botox or incorrect injection placement and is avoidable with the correct expertise. These mistakes most commonly lead to a droopy brow, which is what contributes to this statistic.

However, incorrect injection into any area can cause unappealing and stiff-looking results. Mistakes when injecting a gummy smile or depressor anguli oris can both make for an unnatural smile, and over-injecting the mentalis (chin) or under the eyes (infraorbital) can also look strange.

It is important to have a board-certified dermatologist inject Botox so that mistakes can be avoided. If you’re not sure what questions to ask your dermatologists or what topics to discuss, Botox Cosmetic has some great suggestions.

At Coast Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center, in addition to Botox, we also offer other wrinkle relaxers that have a 90% approval rating, including:

• Dysport® acts similarly to Botox, but takes effect faster and may even last longer.
• Xeomin® works like Botox with the same duration, dosing, and onset time.
• Jeuveau®, also called ‘Newtox,’ is a new FDA-approved alternative to Botox.

Book a Wrinkle Removal Treatment Today

If you’re ready to stop avoiding cameras and mirrors, come visit me or a member of my team at Coast Dermatology and Laser in Laguna Beach, California. Dr. Goldberg is an expert at Botox and produces safe excellent clinical results. Call today 949-499-1389 to schedule a consultation.