BOTOX in Austin and Lakeway

Patients often seek treatments for facial aging that do not involve surgery, and BOTOX injections are among one of the most popular in the world.

Brunette patient getting injections by one of the nurses

Additionally, people who have had facial surgery seek methods to maintain the beauty of the surgical result as long as possible and minimize the natural impact of aging. Although the media often likes to link the now household terms “BOTOX,” and various dermal fillers, it is important to note that these wonderful treatments are not similar at all.

Aging skin and BOTOX – Rejuvenate your look.

BOTOX is designed for the softening of dynamic lines (those that appear with facial movements such as smiling or frowning), not to soften static lines (those that are present when the face is at rest). During the aging process, the skin undergoes something called subdermal atrophy. This means essentially that skin becomes thinner and loses volume. Juvéderm and other dermal fillers are designed to fill or plump the tissue of static lines caused by subdermal atrophy. You can compare the hands of a 30 year old to that of a 70 year old to understand the problem with subdermal atrophy.

Custom BOTOX® injections in Austin and Lakeway

BOTOX® injections soften the movement of the fine muscles around the eyes, forehead, lips, chin, and neck that cause creases in the skin called “rhytids.” By selectively weakening specific muscles at key injection points, targeted injections can dramatically reduce wrinkles.

In certain instances, however, the wrinkling may be too deep for this to be effective. In these cases, either surgical procedures or volume-enhancing injections with dermal filler can be combined with BOTOX in Lakeway.

What is a BOTOX treatment like to experience?

During treatment, very low doses of BOTOX are administered via a few tiny injections. “Frown lines” are caused by overactive facial muscles. BOTOX injections are intramuscular, blocking the chemicals that cause facial muscles to contract, thereby relaxing them. You can expect to see results within days after your treatment. The appearance of frown lines may continue to improve for up to a week. Visible results can last up to four months. After that, you may want to return for a follow-up treatment to maintain the refreshed, youthful look. Your own results may vary, be sure to talk to us about what you can expect.

Our approach to age-defying injections

While the treatment can be used alone, it is often used in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures such as soft tissue fillers (such as Juvéderm® or Radiesse®). BOTOX® is often combined with surgical procedures such as a facelift, eyelid surgery, or laser skin resurfacing.

Our rejuvenating BOTOX injections in Lakeway are performed with ultimate precision, targeting the specific overactive muscle strands. Within days, you will see an incredible smoothing effect on:

Smile lines
Frown lines
Forehead creases
Creases between your eyebrows
Crow’s feet

With lines and wrinkles softening, your look is subtly, but dramatically improved, leaving you looking more youthful, well-rested, and refreshed. Once you have tried BOTOX, you may become one of our regular patients – regular injections for younger patients can even help avoid developing the wrinkles and lines associated with aging skin!

BOTOX The world’s most popular injectable.

BOTOX has been used therapeutically for over 75 years to treat a variety of medical conditions. It is approved in more than 75 countries. Only licensed and trained healthcare professionals have the experience necessary to administer BOTOX Cosmetic. Allergan, Inc. is the only source for healthcare professionals to purchase the product, and each label has the “Allergan” hologram. Dr. Michelle Cabret has injected thousands of patients with BOTOX and is trusted by her patients to consistently create beautiful, smooth, natural-looking results.

How does BOTOX work? A scientific description.

Botulinum toxin acts directly on the neuromuscular endplate and other cholinergic synapses, where it inhibits release (not the production) of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, leading to temporary paralysis of the affected muscle fiber. The various serotypes of botulinum toxin all bind to the same receptor but exert their effect on different proteins within cholinergic nerve endings.

Botulinum Type A cleaves the protein SNAP-25 involved with anchoring of acetylcholine to the plasma membrane. By inactivating the SNARE complex, the botulinum toxin prevents the release of acetylcholine into the synaptic cleft; stimulus conduction is thereby cut off. In striated muscle, this chemical enervation leads to flaccid paralysis, while in smooth muscle it produces atonia.

The inhibition of sympathetic cholinergic nerve fibers also causes a reduction or loss of sweating, referred to as anhidrosis. This treatment is common for the palms of hands, feet, and underarm area. The botulinum toxin effect described above can be put to therapeutic use in a variety of cosmetic and medical disorders.

Is BOTOX right for me?

It is important to give a full medical history to us so we can determine if there are any contraindications or precautions that need to be addressed such as:

Allergy to the active substance or additives such as sodium chloride, human albumin, and cow’s milk (abo).
Infection or lesions in the area being treated (herpes simplex)
Neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis
Drugs such as aminoglycoside antibiotics (gentamicin, spectinomycin, tobramycin)
Pregnancy or while actively breastfeeding, due to lack of adequate data.

How to treat excess sweating with BOTOX

Treatment for hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating, is a condition that can be easily treated using BOTOX and other neuromodulators such as Dysport or Xeomin. The most common treatment of hyperhidrosis is primary axillary hyperhidrosis, or excessive underarm sweating. In 2004, the US Food and Drug Administration approved treatment for excessive underarm sweating with BOTOX. Over 20 countries have approved the treatment of excessive underarm sweating with BOTOX. Other small areas on the body may also be treated including; face, palms of hands, feet, and even under the breasts.

How does BOTOX stop underarm perspiration?

BOTOX (OnabotulinumtoxinA), a natural, purified protein, when injected just under the skin where it remains, temporarily blocks, or interrupts a chemical messenger and turns off the secretions of the sweat gland. When treating excessive underarm sweating with BOTOX, results can yield an 82 to 87% decrease in sweating. After the injections have been strategically and accurately placed just under the skin, results can be noticed between 2-4 days with the final result in 2 weeks.

A small touch up may be needed in some areas after 2 weeks to ensure the optimal treatment is achieved. Underarm dryness can last from 4-12 months, but some studies have shown lasting results up to 14 months. Treating palmar hyperhidrosis or (palms of the hands) tends to yield fewer months of dryness, and 80 to 90% effectiveness with the need to retreat after 6 months. Some temporary pain and weakness of the hands is rare but has been documented.

Living without embarrassment about excessive sweating – it matters!

According to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, published research and statistics report that those who undergo consistent treatments with BOTOX to treat their hyperhidrosis, can have vast improvements of their symptoms over time and have a measurable, long-lasting improvement on the quality of their daily life and even more on the job productivity. A thorough consultation is needed prior to treatment to determine the amount of medication used. Let the professional physicians and nurses at Austin Cosmetic Surgery guide your treatment for optimal outcomes.

BOTOX FAQ

What is a neuromodulator?

Which injectable is right for me? BOTOX?

Which neuromodulator is best?

What is a neuromodulator?

Botulinum toxin (BoNTA) is a metabolic product of the Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium Clostridium botulinum that was first isolated in 1946. Its uses for medical intervention in blepharospasm, and strabismus began in 1977, and the FDA approved treatment in these areas and for hemifacial spasm in 1989. Aesthetic trials began as cosmetic improvements were noted as a side effect of BoNTA for medical treatments. In 2003 the FDA approved BoNTA (BOTOX) for the treatment of frown lines (glabellar region), and then many off-label uses for facial wrinkle reduction emerged. Increased understanding of the mechanisms of action of this neurotoxin has led to the therapeutic use of botulinum toxin in modern medicine. Botulinum toxin can be divided into seven serological distinct forms, types A-G. The various serotypes differ in their duration of effect and potency, whereby type A has the most potent effect with the longest duration. Type A botulinum toxin is currently the main stereotype used in all commercially available neurotoxins on the market, especially with regard to the aesthetic indication.

Which injectable is right for me? BOTOX?

The relative potency of the three commercially available neuromodulators is a subject of great debate and of countless articles in medical literature. Time to onset and maximal results vary among BoNTA products and may be dose dependent. Most clinicians regard the preparation of Allergan (BOTOX) and Merz (Xeomin) as having similar potency while the preparation of Galderma (Dysport) being less potent per unit. As guidance, the approximate dosage equivalence relation between them is 1 unit of BOTOX: 1 unit of Xeomin: 2.5 units Dysport. This means that an injection of 2.5 units of Dysport and an injection of 1 unit of BOTOX or Xeomin leads to comparable results. Correct administration of the active substance is a prerequisite for a successful treatment.

Which neuromodulator is best?

The choices between neuromodulators may come down to a simple preference of both the injector and the patient. Some skilled injectors may even use a combination of treatment during the same visit to achieve the most desirable outcome. It is very important to go to a provider who has lots of experience, knowledge, and expertise in proper dosing and placement of all BoNTA.

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How long do the results last?

With the main serotype botulinum toxin, the initial effect sets in no earlier than 24 hours to 48 hours after the injection. Clinically relevant paralysis is observed after 2-10 days. The peak effect is then reached after about 2 weeks. New SNARE complexes are formed 10-12 weeks after the injection and the nerve endings start to regain their original function. Treatment with BoNTA typically lasts for approximately 3 months. However, clinical effects due to other factors including atrophy and behavior modification (not forcing muscle movement) may last considerably longer. Considerably longer efficacy period has been observed in the treatment of hyperhidrosis, up to 6-12 months of remission. Products and Dosage: Preparations of botulinum toxin A are offered under a variety of trade names on the European and American market. The manufacturer-specific preparations of BoNTA and key clinical differences are explained below:

BOTOX (OnabotulinumtoxinA)

Allergan, USA; FDA approved 2003; Onset 1-3 days; duration 3-4 months. It is supplied in 50-100 unit vials of vacuum dried powder neurotoxin complex, human albumin, and sodium chloride. Reconstitution is done with non-preserved 0.9% saline solution. More biological activity per unit than Dysport and comparable to Xeomin. Great for treating small areas with precision or the dilution can be enhanced to treat larger areas. Most widely used BoNTA on the market.

Dysport (AbobotulinumtoxinA)

Galderma, Switzerland; FDA approved 2009; onset 1-2 days; duration up to 4 months. It is supplied in a 300 unit vial of freeze-dried neurotoxin complex, human albumin, and lactose that may contain trace amounts of cow’s milk proteins. It is reconstituted with 0.9% non-preserved saline solution with 1.5-2.5 ml per. Higher quantity needed in dosage.

Xeomin (IncobotulinumtoxinA)

Merz Pharmaceuticals, Germany; FDA approved 2011; Onset within 7 days; duration up to 3-4 months. Supplied in 50-100 unit vials of lyophilized powder neurotoxin complex, human albumin, and sucrose. It’s reconstituted with 0.9% non-preserved saline solution. It is free and separate from any accessory proteins or additives making it the only BoNTA that does not have to be refrigerated before use. Another benefit of this pure-form injectable is that the body is less likely to become resistant to it. A small percentage of patients have developed antibodies to BOTOX and Dysport which leads to treatment failure, especially when given high doses at too short of intervals. Biological activity and dosage are comparable to BOTOX, but Xeomin has the slowest onset of action of the 3 BoNTA’s.

The Xeomin formula contains smaller molecules compared to BOTOX, which may be beneficial. Smaller molecules enable Dysport to work faster than BOTOX with some achieving onset results within 24 hours, and BOTOX taking up to 72 hours. A larger area of spreading can also be achieved that is great in some patients and in others could lead to droopy brows. Dysport is less effective in treating smaller areas where more precision is needed or areas with thicker muscles.

Schedule a consultation with a wellness specialist at Austin Cosmetic Surgery.

Our helpful staff can answer your questions and schedule a consultation with one of our wellness specialists. We are proud to be the premier BOTOX injectors for patients in Austin, Lakeway, Bee Cave, Barton Creek, Spicewood, and the surrounding areas. We are also honored to serve patients in and beyond Scottsdale, AZ.