6 Ways BOTOX® Can Enhance Your Appearance

 

Many of the wrinkles that develop on the face are attributed to repetitive expressions, which pull and strain the skin year after year. Aging facial skin loses its ability to easily snap back into shape, so lines form and become deeper. BOTOX^®, however, has the ability to temporarily relax active muscles, which makes it ideal for treating wrinkles caused by frequent facial expressions. Its unique abilities also have applications for more cosmetic benefits on other areas of the face. The key ingredient in the injectable is a purified form of botulinum toxin, a protein derived from a natural organism that “freezes” these muscles by preventing the nerves from triggering muscle contractions. Here are six of the most common treatments patients seek BOTOX^® for, as seen in Chesterfield at West County Dermatology.

1. Making Crow’s Feet Less Noticeable

Crow’s feet are small lines that appear at the corners of the eyes when you smile, laugh, or squint. They are linked to a combination of skin movement and volume loss as a result of aging or sun damage. BOTOX^® is injected around the sides of the eyes to allow the skin to lie smoother.

2. Reshaping Lips

Fillers aren’t the only way of altering your lips. Some people prefer a BOTOX^® lip flip to unfurl the upper lip for a subtle size increase and more shapely appearance by relieving tension around the mouth. This works because the muscle around the mouth sometimes becomes overactive, causing the top lip to rise up too much and reveal too much of the gumline. This is called a gummy smile, and BOTOX^® can create a more balanced, attractive smile by allowing the lip to cover the gum more.

3. Minimizing Bunny Lines

The muscles you use to scrunch up your nose whenever you smile and laugh are sometimes overworked. This often happens to patients who have had BOTOX^® on other areas of their face—such as the forehead and around the eyes—as the nasalis muscle sometimes works more to overcompensate for limited muscle movement in other sections. Bunny lines are the straight or diagonal fine lines on each side of the nose, just below the bridge. Your injector can add BOTOX^® around the nose to make these lines less noticeable.

4. Slimming the Jawline

The masseter muscle at the side of the jaw is what you use for biting down, chewing, grinding, or clenching your teeth. As you add more candles to your birthday cake, your jaw contours are another area that can change significantly due to these repetitive activities.

During childhood to young adulthood, we usually maintain a sharper jawline and higher, fuller cheeks. This look is commonly referred to as the “triangle of youth.” Unfortunately, the shape can become inverted over time as the jawline becomes heavier. The repeated, habitual action of clenching or grinding causes this muscle to bulk up, creating a wider, more square-jawed look that not everyone wants—especially women who desire a more classically feminine appearance. BOTOX^® introduced into the lower jaw can make it slimmer and more V-shaped.

5. Reducing Chin Dimpling

The chin is an important aspect of facial beauty. A well-formed chin and jawline balance the facial profile. When the mentalis muscle or “pouting muscle” that enables the chin to move is overworked from habitual facial expressions, it can create a dimpled or pebbled appearance that may make you look worried or sad. This is sometimes called “golf ball chin,” and it can be smoothed with BOTOX^®.

6. Addressing Neck Bands

The neck is usually one of the first places in the body to reveal your age. In addition to treating facial wrinkles, neuromodulators like BOTOX^® can also alter the appearance of the neck. The injectable treatment softens the appearance of protruding, vertical neck bands caused by aging or genetic factors, so that the area looks younger and more defined.

Want a rejuvenated appearance with fewer wrinkles? For more information on BOTOX^® and other injectables, reach out to the West County Dermatology team in Chesterfield. Fill out a contact form to schedule a consultation or call them at 636.532.2422.