As we age, lines or wrinkles tend to appear when we look in the mirror. Fortunately, we have made great advances in reducing their appearance. For dynamic lines, or lines of facial expression, we have learned that filling them in does not work. The stronger your expression, the deeper the line gets.
To treat these wrinkles, we must treat the muscle that causes the line, so that it does not reform. The best weapon we have is Botox or Xeomin, a medication that can relax the muscle through a series of tiny injections. The medications of this class have been used by Dr. Yager since the early 1990’s with great effect.
The most common areas treated are the horizontal lines across the forehead when you raise the eyebrows, the vertical lines between the brows when you worry, and the crow’s feet beside your eyes. The treatment takes minutes, the effects are evident in 3-7 days, and the results usually last for 3-6 months.
If the lines are left untreated for long periods of time, these lines remain evident even when you are not moving the muscles, due to the damage to the collagen caused by the repeated muscular action. Earlier treatment of these lines can prevent lines from ever forming.
Although many physicians offer Botox or Xeomin, the results obtained vary widely due to technique. Some practitioners dilute the medications so the cost is lower but the results do not last long. Others overdo it and leave you looking frozen and unnatural. Make sure you discuss your desires with your doctor prior to the treatment so that you may achieve the results you desire.