Afraid to laugh, smile, frown, or make just about any kind of facial expression lest you let people see your crow’s feet? Crow’s feet are fine lines and wrinkles that appear on the side corners of your eyes. It is one of the earliest signs of aging that appears on your face and is a big cosmetic concern for a lot of people.

With age, stress, the sun, environmental factors, and other contributors, facial skin loses its tightness and elasticity and becomes loose and stretchy. Don’t believe creams, lotions, night serums and other topical applications that promise to make your skin more elastic overnight in just one month! There is no such thing! You need something stronger and more permanent. Say hello to Botox! 

What is Botox? 

Botox is a chemical produced from a neurotoxin known as botulinum toxin, which is derived from the strain of bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. 

The short form of botulinum toxin is Botox. It is used cosmetically and medically; medically to treat a number of muscular conditions and cosmetically to remove fine lines, crow’s feet and wrinkles from the face by temporarily paralyzing facial muscles. 

The neurotoxin produced by the bacteria – botulinum toxin or Botox – once injected into the face, begins to target the body’s nervous system and disrupts the transmission of signals between neurotransmitters, or the processes that allow neurons to communicate effectively with the rest of the facial muscles commanding them to move. 

How Is Botox Used? 

Botulinum toxin or Botox is administered to the patient by first diluting the chemical powder in saline and injecting it directly into the facial neuromuscular tissues. The initial results can be seen immediately, and it takes approximately 24-72 hours (1-3 days) to see the effects of Botox. It is a fast procedure that produces excellent results. 

Once the Botox kicks in, you find that you will not be able to move or stretch your face in the same way you were able to before. Hence, you cannot smile, frown, raise your eyebrows or forehead, or spread your lips or mouth too much, thereby reducing the appearance of fine lines, crow’s feet, and wrinkles on your face. 

How Does It Work? 

Botox has to be administered by a professional dermatologist or cosmetologist and should not be done at home. It is injected into the face, first in very small concentrations to check for any negative or adverse reactions that the patient may have towards Botox. If no adverse signs are noticed, more is injected. It works by preventing the signals from the neurotransmitters or nerve cells from reaching the facial muscles, and therefore paralyzes them.

In order for the body and facial muscles to contract, nerves release a chemical messenger or a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine at the meeting point of nerve endings and muscle cells. Acetylcholine attaches to the muscle cells’ receptors, causing the muscles to shorten or contract. Botox, once injected, prevents the release of acetylcholine, thus preventing contraction of the muscles.

Contact Our Office

If you’d like to learn more about Botox, Dr. Wayne Lee is here to help answer any of the questions you have about the treatment. Contact our office to schedule your consultation and begin your journey to a more youthful you.