Botox
Offered at our convenient location in Sonoma County, CA
Botulinum toxin, commonly known as Botox, is a treatment that continues to be a popular choice for individuals seeking wrinkle smoothing and a more youthful appearance. One of the advantages of Botox is that it’s quick and minimally invasive; the procedure itself typically takes just a few minutes, and there is no downtime required afterward.
Botox acts as a neuromodulator within the facial muscles- effectively relaxing them and the overlying skin. With extensive knowledge of facial muscular anatomy, a skilled injector can target specific muscles to produce a wrinkle-free appearance in a specific area.
Experience the transformative effects of Botox at Allegro Medspa, located in Santa Rosa, CA. Our Botox injectors are knowledgeable about the intricacies of each patient’s needs and take time to assess the best approach that fosters natural-looking results. To get in touch with one of our staff, call (707) 537-2123 or schedule your consultation through our online form.
Before and After Photos
Contents
How Botox Works
All neuromodulators, including Botox, affect neurotransmitters within the muscles. These are chemicals that are responsible for relaying signals for contraction and movement. Botox temporarily blocks the chemical acetylcholine and its receptors, effectively preventing it from over-contracting and contributing to the formation of dynamic wrinkles. These types of wrinkles appear with facial expressions, but over time, can turn into static wrinkles that remain on the skin permanently. By utilizing Botox to prevent dynamic wrinkles, the skin can maintain its smooth, refreshed appearance in these areas:
- Frown lines/ glabellar lines
- Forehead lines
- Crow’s feet wrinkles
- Vertical neck bands
The Medical Background of Botox
Botox is made of botulinum toxin, a substance produced by a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. While this protein is most commonly known for its cosmetic rejuvenation, it has been used to treat a wide variety of health ailments such as muscle spasms, an eye misalignment condition called strabismus, excessive sweating, and chronic migraines. (1) Since being thoroughly studied and administered in a clinical setting since 1970, injectors now have a vast knowledge of how to best utilize Botox safely and effectively.
A Non-Surgical Solution
By getting Botox or similar formulations Dysport or Daxxify, you can achieve the effects of a brow lift non-surgically. When these are administered into the depressor muscles that contract downward, the muscles relax and provide an upward, subtle lift of the skin around the brows. This type of procedure can eliminate brow furrows, smooth out lines and wrinkles, and lift sagging skin under the brows.
Our injectors utilize precise amounts of Botox or Dysport to prevent creating a surprised look. This combination can also be used to treat moderate folds in the face and deeper lines. Botox can also help accentuate the fullness of the upper lip with a non-surgical lip lift or “lip flip”.
Personal Consultation
During your personal consultation for Botox treatment at our Santa Rosa, CA location, your injector will take the time to listen to your cosmetic goals and discuss your medical history and any allergies you may have. They will then thoroughly evaluate your skin quality and how it moves with various facial expressions.
With their expertise and artistic eye, they will create a customized treatment plan tailored specifically to you. Our commitment to providing exceptional care extends beyond the consultation room. Your injector will educate you on what Botox can accomplish, along with the potential risks, and expected outcomes of the procedure, ensuring that you are confident in your decision.
To schedule your consultation at Allegro Medspa, call (707) 537-2123 or fill out our contact form. One of our staff members will get back to you as soon as possible.
Preparing for Botox
Before receiving any cosmetic injection, one of our doctors will review your medications and supplements and make any necessary adjustments. They will require that you stop taking any blood thinners about 1 week before your Botox session, as these can result in unwanted bruising and bleeding. On the day of your session, you should come to your appointment makeup-free and your injector will further cleanse your skin to prevent infection.
Botox Procedure Steps
While Botox seems rather straightforward, there is actually considerable training required to conduct the procedure correctly. After cleaning your face with alcohol, your injector will ask you to make certain facial expressions to be able to mark out where the injections will be administered. Our trained staff is incredibly well-informed on how each facial muscle responds to Botox, what dosage to use in each area, and how deeply to inject into the skin.
To eliminate crow’s feet, your injector will target the orbicularis oculi muscle, the circular muscle that surrounds each eye. For “eleven” lines, or frown lines between the eyes, they will inject Botox around the glabellar complex. Over-injection in this frontalis muscle can cause your brows to migrate downward, so injections for forehead lines are relatively superficial and incorporate less Botox.
Your injector will know how many units to apply to each area, a term used to describe the specific dosage for optimal results. For the forehead, patients often need around 10 to 20 units, while frown lines may require up to 30 or more. For subtle lip lifts, it may be as little as 1 to 2 units in order to avoid affecting movement around the mouth. A full Botox session takes only about 20 minutes to complete.
Recovery and Results
Even though Botox doesn’t require downtime, you’ll still need to take some extra precautions after your injections. Firstly, you should be sure to keep your head elevated for at least 4 hours to prevent the medication from spreading to other facial muscles. For at least the next 24 hours, you should avoid strenuous activities, showering, and touching your face. Over the next 3 to 5 days, you’ll begin to see your wrinkles gradually relax.
Although it gets rid of your dynamic wrinkles, you will still be able to be as expressive as you would like. Your results will likely last anywhere from 3 to 4 months, but it’s possible that they can last up to 5 months. This time period will give you an opportunity to take part in other treatments that will boost your skin’s collagen and elastin production– vital connective proteins that contribute to its youthful glow. We recommend looking into our laser skin resurfacing, Clear + Brilliant treatment, or microneedling and radiofrequency.
Corresponding & Complementary Procedures
DAXXIFY and Dysport
These are other neuromodulators based on botulinum toxin, the active ingredient in Botox. While it’s a very similar treatment, DAXXIFY’s formulation allows it to last much longer. Research has found that results last, on average, around 6 months. In some patients, cosmetic effects remained in effect for 9 months. (2)
Dermal Fillers
At Allegro Medspa, most of our dermal fillers are based on hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring substance produced in the body. These fillers are designed to volumize and smooth the skin itself without affecting the muscle underneath. They not only stimulate the production of more collagen and elastin fibers, but the HA is able to draw more water into the skin and bind to the existing connective proteins. The process provides more structural support and elasticity to the skin as a whole, healing and repairing from within. (3)
Cost of Botox in Santa Rosa, CA
It’s important to note that the cost of Botox treatment will depend on various factors, such as the number of units required, the specific areas being treated, and the number of sessions you choose to do. At your consultation, your injector will discuss these details with you and provide a comprehensive estimate for the cost of your treatment.
Achieve smoother skin with Botox treatment from Allegro Med Spa. Call (707) 537-2123 or complete a short form for further information.
Read the Allegro Med Spa blog for more information about our services.
FAQ
Are Botox injections painful?
Many patients find Botox to be a comfortable procedure due to the fact that injectors use ultra-fine needles. If requested, patients can get topical numbing cream to further mitigate any discomfort.
Will Botox freeze my face?
Botox is designed to strategically target certain facial muscles in order to relax fine folds and wrinkles, but it should not produce a significant freezing effect. Choosing the right injector for your Botox is the first step in ensuring you maintain most of the ability to be as expressive as you want.
What are some side effects of Botox?
Botox is incredibly safe so long as your injector does not administer too many units. Some of the normal and temporary side effects you can expect from Botox are swelling, redness, and mild bruising. Right after receiving your injections, the areas of treatment may be raised and irritated, but this effect quickly diminishes after about 15 to 20 minutes.
Are there any long-term effects of Botox?
There are positive long-term effects to Botox- it acts as a tool for wrinkle prevention. When your facial movement is inhibited by Botox, your dynamic wrinkles are much less likely to become static wrinkles over the course of several years. Since it’s only a temporary effect, the functionality of your muscles will not be affected long-term.
Who should not get Botox injections?
Botox isn’t suitable for people under 18 or those who have an active skin infection or acne. People who have experienced a severe allergic reaction or with a neuromuscular disorder should completely avoid this treatment.
References
- Padda IS, Tadi P. Botulinum Toxin. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557387/#:~:text=Botulinum%20toxin%20is%20a%20medication
- Salame, Nicole, et al. “DaxibotulinumtoxinA-Lanm (DaxxifyTM): A Comprehensive Overview.” Skin Therapy Letter, vol. 28, no. 4, 1 July 2023, pp. 1–3, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37440610/.
- Brandt FS, Cazzaniga A. Hyaluronic acid gel fillers in the management of facial aging. Clin Interv Aging. 2008;3(1):153-159. doi:10.2147/cia.s2135