Botox: Not Just For Frown Lines
Botox is a very well-known and popular wrinkle treatment today. It is, perhaps, best known for treating frown lines, also known as glabellar lines or the “11’s”. In fact, it is those small, vertical lines between the brows that Botox is FDA-approved to treat. However, Botox is effective in treating other lines and wrinkles on the face and even the neck.
Botox is a neuromodulator. Unlike injectable fillers which fill in and plump up static wrinkles, Botox is effective in treating dynamic wrinkles. These are the wrinkles caused by the repeated or overactive muscle action associated with certain facial movements and expressions. Frown lines, for example, occur from drawing the brows together, often when frowning or squinting. When injected into the underlying muscle responsible for these movements, Botox relaxes the muscle, thus reducing or eliminating the presence of the wrinkle for up to three to four months.
Though the frown lines are the most commonly treated lines with Botox, there are other facial lines and wrinkles which, though off label, can be successfully treated as well. It is important to note, however, that use in other areas of the face, particularly the lower face, is often less frequently done and typically requires additional skill and experience.
- Forehead Creases. Forehead creases are the vertical lines and furrows that appear on the forehead. These appear when raising the eyebrows, for instance when one is surprised. Botox can very effectively smooth these lines, but care should be taken to avoid a “frozen forehead” look.
- Crow’s Feet. Crow’s feet and smile lines are the small wrinkles that extend outward from the corner of the eye. They are often associated with smiling and squinting. They may begin to appear in the 30s and even late 20s.
- Bunny Lines. Bunny lines are wrinkles which form on the sides of the nose closer toward the eyes. They are usually associated with intense smiling and laughing. Bunny lines can be treated with Botox by themselves or in conjunction with frown lines and crow’s feet.
- Smoker’s Lines. Smoker’s lines, or lip lines, are the fine vertical lines which occur around the mouth, typically from pursing the lips as when smoking or even drinking out of straws. Botox effectively relaxes the muscles responsible for these actions, thus smoothing the wrinkles.
- Chin Dimples. Chin dimples caused by hyperactive muscles can be treated very successfully with multiple tiny injections of Botox across the chin.
- Neck Bands. Vertical neck bands can be softened with Botox injections into the platysma muscle. This muscle tends to loosen as we age which can lead to visible banding in the neck.
To learn more about Botox wrinkle treatments, contact renowned facial plastic surgeon Dr. Rami K. Batniji of Newport Beach, California, at (949) 650-8882.