Botox® in St. Louis, MO
What is Botox®?
Ophthalmic Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery in St. Louis, MO specializes in Botox injections. Botox is a simple and effective in-office treatment for facial wrinkles. Botox was the most popular cosmetic “pick-me-up” even before it had cosmetic drug approval in 2002. The effects of this injectable can be so subtle that no one will know you have had injections.
At our practice, we also offer Xeomin & Dysport injectables. The main difference between these injectables are the manufacturer. These injectables are all derived from a naturally occurring protein that is purified and have been used in humans for over 25 years, mainly in the treatment of various neurological conditions and also cosmetically for facial wrinkle reduction. Minor uses have been in the treatment of hyperhidrosis (sweating) and migraine headaches.
Botox® Benefits
Botox injections have both cosmetic and medical benefits. Botox can:
- Relax muscles to prevent muscle spasms and twitches
- Relax wrinkles around the eyes
- Soften or eliminate frown lines, crow’s feet, and creases on the forehead
- Soften vertical wrinkles on the upper lip, especially when combined with fillers
Who Is A Good Candidate for Botox® Injections In St. Peters?
If you have facial wrinkles caused by poor muscle tone, you may be an excellent candidate for cosmetic Botox, Xeomin, or Dysport in St. Louis. In minute amounts, Botox relaxes and temporarily weakens the muscles that are contracting too much. This means that it is good for people with muscle spasms, such as eyebrow twitches or alleviating wrinkles caused by years of repeating the same facial expression.
Choose Dr. Holds for Your Cosmetic Injections
Dr. John B. Holds was fortunate to be in on the ground floor in the use of botulinum A toxin, which became Botox. Dr. Holds began to use Botox for the treatment of facial spasm disorders beginning in 1987, three years before FDA approval for medical indications. Dr. Holds also performed what remain some of the best neuroanatomic studies on the effects of botulinum A toxin on human nerves and muscles. This plus 24 years of intensive use of botulinum toxins in the treatment of facial spasm disorders and for cosmetic indications have made Dr. Holds a well know authority on the effects and use of botulinum toxins.
“I recently saw Dr Holds for Botox Cosmetic Treatment and I am absolutely blown away by my results. I’ve been receiving Botox on and off for years now and this is by far the best results I’ve ever had. He was very professional, knowledgeable, and knew exactly what I needed. I will be be back and will be referring all my friends. Highly recommended” – Amanda H.
Botox® vs Dysport®
Dysport is an alternative to Botox that is used to relax wrinkles in the forehead and frown lines between the eyebrows. Dysport’s advantage over Botox is that it usually takes effect faster – one to two days, as opposed to the usual three to five that it takes for Botox’s results to show. There is also evidence that Dysport’s effects last longer for some people, and it smoothes out even deep wrinkles.
People who receive Dysport may be more prone to developing antibodies which prevent the injections from working, although this is uncommon. Dysport wasn’t approved by the FDA in the U.S. until 2009, which is why it isn’t as widely known as Botox, but it has been used in other parts of the world since 2001. Today, it is used in 36 countries.
Botox® vs Jeuveau™
Jeuveau™ and Botox® are very similar, both products are made from the botulinum toxin type A. Jeuveau™ and Botox® both work by blocking the nerve messages sent from a muscle to the brain, keeping the muscle relaxed.
The main difference between Botox® vs Jeuveau™ is price. Jeuveau™ has been initially priced from 20 to 30 percent lower than the price of Botox®.
Botox® vs Xeomin®
Botox and Xeomin are very similar injectables. Dr. Holds has over 24 years of Botox experience and over a year of extensive experience using Xeomin for the treatment of facial spasm conditions. Most of Dr. Holds’ medical Xeomin patients who have experienced dozens of prior Botox treatments for facial spasm cannot define any difference between Botox and Xeomin in overall effect.
Xeomin has the advantage of being a “naked” toxin molecule stripped of proteins that surround the toxin molecule. The benefits may be largely theoretical, although it appears logical to use a drug which delivers the minimum amount of protein. Small is good here, as injected proteins could potentially stimulate the immune system. Feel free to discuss with Dr. Holds and the office staff the advantages of treatment with a specific drug during your consultation.
What Medical Conditions Can Neuromodulators Treat?
Despite being primarily known for its cosmetic purposes, Botox and Xeomin are effective treatments for several medical conditions. Dr. Holds will administer the injection directly into the affected muscle and the injectable works to block nerve signals traveling to the muscle. This blockage keeps the muscle from contracting. Botox and Xeomin are commonly used to treat the following conditions:
- Blepharospasm
- Hemifacial spasms
- Migraines
- Bells Palsy
- Neuromuscular disorder cervical dystonia
The Botox® Treatment
Dr. Holds will use a very fine needle to inject tiny and precise amounts of the Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin at the sites where it needs to relax the wrinkle-causing muscles. Many of our patients receive a topical anesthetic special to our practice, which is very effective. Anxious or sensitive patients can even have a cooling blower applied as well. Most people report only minor discomfort from the injections if any at all.
FAQ
What Should I Do After Getting Botox?
The goal of aftercare Do’s and Don’ts is to help the neuromodulator (Botox or another product) bind to the targeted vesicles that are involved in muscle contraction. To promote optimal treatment outcomes, we suggest that you do the following:
- Frown then relax, frown then relax. This motion, performed several times during the first hour after your injections, can help the muscles more easily absorb the neuromodulator into the targeted layers. After the first hour, refrain from dramatic facial expressions for the next 12 hours.
- Remain upright for three to four hours. After receiving injections, you want to ensure that the product stays in the target area for absorption. Lying down invites the liquid to migrate away from the local area around a wrinkle or wrinkles.
What Shouldn’t I Do After Getting Botox?
What Shouldn’t I Do After Getting Botox?
After your injectable treatment involving Botox or another neuromodulator, don’t:
- Rub or massage your face. While you can apply makeup after your injectable treatment, it’s wise to do so with a very gentle hand. This keeps the product from spreading.
- Sleep on your stomach or side. For the first night, sleep on your back if possible. This keeps pressure off of the facial treatment area.
- Exercise. As a general rule, if an activity makes you flush, it may cause exaggerated swelling, redness, or bruising. Flushing is a sign of increased circulation, so could also indicate a heightened risk of product migration.
- Schedule a professional facial or massage. More targeted facial treatments should be postponed for at least two weeks after neuromodulator treatment. This helps avoid the disbursement of the product away from the targeted muscles.
Why Do Some People Get Headaches After Botox Injections?
here are several common side effects that can occur after neuromodulator treatment. Some are related to injections; some are related to the ingredient that makes neuromodulators effective wrinkle-reducers. The most common side effects include redness, swelling, and bruising. A headache isn’t always going to happen. If it does, it’s believed that it occurs because the treated muscle tightens or spasms before it gradually relaxes into a mild, temporary state of paralysis. The muscle spasm feels like a general headache. You might resolve this side effect with an over-the-counter pain reliever. Should you develop a headache after receiving Botox or another neuromodulator like Xeomin, Dysport, or Jeuveau, this side effect should go away naturally after two or three days.
What Can I Do to Help My Botox Results Last Longer?
Neuromodulators work by binding to acetylcholine vesicles in targeted muscles. There is no way to prevent the degradation of the product once it’s been injected. The body will naturally break it down over time. However, there may be some strategies that effectively slow the progress of facial aging. One of the most common approaches is to address the underlying conditions that contribute to cosmetic aging. Primarily, this is the deterioration of healthy collagen and elastin. In addition to using quality skincare products, you can support strong collagen and elastin by wearing SPF 30 sunscreen on a daily basis.
Your aftercare practices can also help you get the most out of your Botox treatments. Here, it’s the avoidance of strenuous activities that may be most beneficial. When you flush too soon after receiving injectable treatment, the product may not absorb to the fullest extent, which could result in faster degradation.
Botox® Before and After
recovery after Wrinkle Reducing injections
There is no real recovery period necessary after Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau™ or Xeomin. You can go home as soon as your injections are complete. You can even go to work the same day if you like and apply makeup immediately.
You will be asked not to massage the exact area where you had your injections for the first day or two, and it is best not to lie down for a few hours. Facials or treatments where your head is in a cradle or in a prolonged dependent position should be avoided for one week. Yoga, pilates, or any type of strenuous exercise should also be avoided for 24-48 hours.
Botox® Results
The effects of Botox are temporary, but they usually last three to six months. The effects of the injections will appear gradually over a 5-10-day period following your procedure. So, you may not be able to see the full results right away. Many people get the injections three to four times per year, but you can have injections as needed to achieve your desired results.
As the treatment gradually wears off, wrinkle-producing muscle contractions will begin to recur. Some patients note a “facial training” effect in which they are less prone to wrinkle-causing facial movements. This includes movements such as furrowing their eyebrows, even after the drug wears off.
Side Effects Of Cosmetic Injections
Botox has proven over 25 years to be exceptionally safe. Doctors all over the world give these injections daily with rare side effects. In 2010, the FDA placed a “black box” warning on all neurotoxins which refers to issues unrelated to cosmetic treatments.
The most frequent side effects are a result of either inappropriate administration by unskilled injectors or very occasional spread of the drug into an adjacent muscle group. Possible side effects can include:
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Pain
- Redness
- Swelling
- Tenderness
Patients who use blood thinners and NSAIDs will reduce the risk of bruising if they avoid these medications for 2-7 days before treatment.