Fine lines and wrinkles can develop for several reasons including aging, genetics, smoking, sun exposure, and even making basic facial expressions such as frowning or smiling. No matter how they develop, fine lines can make you look older and chronically exhausted, which can affect your confidence. If you’re concerned about wrinkles but don’t want to undergo surgery, then Botox may be the ideal solution for you.
Dr. Kirk Lozada is a facial plastic & reconstructive surgeon and otolaryngology (head & neck) surgeon who specializes in painless Botox injections. Dr. Lozada is committed to providing the highest quality aesthetic and reconstructive services for all his patients in the Philadelphia area and New Jersey. If you’re considering Botox, Dr. Lozada can help you quickly achieve smoother, more youthful-looking skin.
Before and After Photos
* All our Botox Philadelphia patients are unique and individual results may vary.
What is Botox?
Botox is a non-surgical cosmetic treatment for wrinkles and fine lines. It is made from a protein called botulinum toxin. When injected into specific areas, Botox causes temporary paralysis of the muscles, which smooths the targeted area and prevents further wrinkling. It is most commonly used for fine lines in the face and neck areas.
The four major brands of botulinum toxin are Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau. Each works in the same way, although they do have small differences in the time they take to start working and how long they last.
Providers tend to have their favorite products, but good results are achievable with any of these four brands. Botox is the oldest and most popular product.
How Does Botox Work?
Many facial wrinkles occur due to strong muscle activity when making facial expressions. These facial muscles are connected directly to the skin and facial movement allows the muscles to pull on the skin and cause wrinkling. Botulinum toxin works by temporarily weakening the muscles and eliminating wrinkles.
Botox targets specific muscles and prevents the release of a neurotransmitter that causes the muscles to contract. This causes the muscles to be temporarily relaxed so that they can’t cause the skin to wrinkle. This is particularly useful for improving the quality and texture of the skin. Botulinum toxin is also helpful for treating excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) and migraines.
The procedure involves using a very thin needle to inject the product into targeted areas of the face. Your doctor may use ice or a topical anesthetic to numb the target area, although this isn’t always necessary. It only takes a few seconds to administer Botox, and your doctor may apply it in a number of places around the areas you want to target. The results can be seen in just a few days and can last anywhere from three to six months.
Treatment Areas
Areas typically treated with Botox include the glabellar lines (11’s or frown lines between the eyebrows), crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles, and lines around the mouth. Botox can help reduce the visibility of existing lines and also help prevent the formation of future wrinkles with ongoing use, particularly when treatments are started at a young age. Botulinum toxin can also be injected into the armpits and/or palms to help reduce sweating.
Botox Consultation
Your Botox consultation will include a discussion with Dr. Lozada about your aesthetic goals. He may ask about your medical history and expected outcomes. He will recommend the best options for you and schedule an appointment at your convenience.
Risks and Safety
Although Botox is considered a very safe cosmetic procedure, some patients do report experiencing side effects after treatment. These could include:
- Numbness
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Headache
- Neck pain
- Temporary drooping of the eyelids
- Dry eyes
- Rash
Testimonials
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- Bianca
Preparation
There is very little you need to do to prepare for your Botox appointment. However, you may want to avoid drinking alcohol or taking blood-thinning medications for a few days before your appointment to reduce the risk of bruising or swelling.
Botox Recovery
If you’re bothered by fine lines and wrinkles on your face and you’re looking for a quick office-based procedure with no downtime, then Botox is a fantastic option. The entire procedure only takes about 10 to 30 minutes, and there is no downtime involved.
You can return to your regular activities immediately. However, you should avoid lying down for about one hour after the procedure and abstain from exercise for about 24 hours to let the Botox settle where it was injected. You should also avoid rubbing the treatment areas or applying pressure for a day or two.
FAQs About Botox Treatment
The cost of your Botox treatment will depend on which areas you want to treat and how many units you require to treat the target areas. Dr. Lozada can advise you on pricing during your Botox consultation.
Typically, botulinum toxin begins working a few days to a week after it is injected. Peak effectiveness can occur between one to two weeks after the injection. Depending on the product used, the effect may start slightly sooner. Results typically last around three to six months.
Botox is a very low-risk product that was first approved for medical use by the FDA in 1989. It has been used in the medical field for over 25 years and has an excellent safety profile with numerous indications for its use.
Botox is widely available in both med spas and doctor’s offices these days. However, you should seek an expert in facial muscle anatomy to ensure the most natural results possible. By seeking out a facial plastic surgeon, you ensure you are receiving the highest quality results possible.
Every bottle of Botox must be diluted with saline. If the solution is diluted too much, it will end up delivering an insufficient dose to the muscle. Patients must be wary when bargain hunting for the best price because they run the risk of receiving diluted Botox that may not last as long or might not work at all. Seeing a qualified facial plastic surgeon ensures a proper dose of Botox is given in each area to maximize results.
At our office, a personalized treatment plan is essential and we allow sufficient time during the consultation to develop a unique understanding of each patient’s desires. In addition, we are dedicated to providing the best possible Botox experience with more comfortable injections.
Dr. Lozada uses a proprietary topical numbing liquid that was formulated by his father, Dr. Guido Lozada, over 20 years ago. Placing a small amount on the skin numbs the area and can make the injections nearly painless. Occasionally, thin-skinned patients will not be completely numb but still have a much more comfortable treatment compared to other methods.
While many providers use a topical numbing cream, this does not effectively anesthetize the area and leaves many patients gritting their teeth through the injections. Vibration devices can be effective, but they do not work well on every patient.
Dr. Lozada believes that Botox should not be painful or anxiety-provoking for the patient. If you have experienced painful or uncomfortable injections in the past, call our office to schedule a consultation and experience a painless procedure.
If you live near Philadelphia, PA, Lozada Facial Plastic Surgery offers Botox among its services and is conveniently located at 1608 Walnut Street 9th Floor Suite 902B, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
About Dr. Lozada
Dr. Lozada completed his fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania and has trained with top American board-certified plastic surgeons in Philadelphia, New York, and New Jersey. He is also currently a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and has numerous publications and presentations in the field of facial plastic surgery.
Contact Us Today
Dr. Lozada believes that Botox should not be painful or anxiety-provoking for the patient. If you have experienced painful or uncomfortable Botox injections in the past, please contact our Philadelphia office and schedule a consultation today!
