BOTOX^®

BOTOX^® Cosmetic is a deeply researched and globally popular injectable treatment made to smooth the dynamic wrinkles that form due to repetitive muscle contractions in specific areas of the face. When it comes to BOTOX^®, the Philadelphia area's Buinewicz Cosmetic Surgery team draws on product-specific training, extensive experience, thorough knowledge of facial anatomy, and aesthetic talent to safely and effectively generate results for women and men seeking help for horizontal forehead wrinkles, glabellar lines (frown lines), and lateral canthal lines (crow's feet). The injectable can also be used in other ways, such as temporarily minimizing sweat production in the underarms.

What Is BOTOX^® and How Does It Work?

BOTOX^® is what is known as a "neuromodulator," which is a category of medications that alter how the nervous system communicates. Made from a purified form of naturally occurring botulinum toxin, BOTOX^® is most famous for its ability to keep targeted muscles at rest for months at a time. It works by blocking the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter with several jobs in the body—including triggering muscle contractions.

Certain facial muscles are directly associated with the development and revelation of lines in the skin. Injections made into these specific muscles keep them relaxed even when the surrounding muscles contract and work to move various facial features as part of routine activities, such as making expressions. When the targeted muscles stay at rest, they don't pull the skin into ever-deepening folds and furrows.

This effect gradually wears off as the body breaks down the active components into amino acids.

What Issues Can BOTOX^® Address?

The U.S. FDA has approved BOTOX^® Cosmetic for three specific uses.

Horizontal Forehead Lines

These are creases that form as you repeatedly raise and lower your eyebrows. Often spanning the entire breadth of the forehead, they are commonly associated with surprised expressions or furrowing the brow. If left untreated, they can deepen to the point where they are visible even when the forehead is at rest.

Glabellar Lines

There are multiple names for the wrinkles that develop above the nose due to bringing the eyebrows together and squinting. Known medically as glabellar lines, they are more commonly referred to as frown lines—and may even be called "11s" because of their tendency to resemble the two short vertical marks needed to write the number.

Lateral Canthal Lines

Some people call these smile lines, while others refer to them as crow's feet. No matter the name, they are a common sign of aging that forms over time at the outside corners of the eyes. Both smiling and squinting can contribute to the repetitive muscle contractions that lead to the increasing visibility of these wrinkles.

In addition to these cosmetic uses, BOTOX^® is also approved by the FDA to reduce underarm sweating. The same neuromodulating abilities that allow the botulinum toxin to keep muscles still for months at a time can also be used to temporarily "shut down" sweat glands in the axillary area—often referred to as the "armpits." This treatment is especially ideal for patients who suffer from a condition known as "hyperhidrosis," which is excessive sweating.

Anna Buinewicz, M.D., is a board-certified family physician and Brian Buinewicz, M.D., is a board-certified plastic surgeon. Both administer BOTOX^® injections with precision and skill in our medspa. Many people say that the injections themselves feel about the same as a brief pinch on the skin in the treatment area. No anesthetic is necessary, but please feel free to discuss distraction options and other strategies to make the process as comfortable as possible for you.

We use a very fine needle to inject the medication into the targeted muscles. The entire treatment process typically takes about 15 minutes or less, though the specifics of your session will depend on which areas you are addressing. In all, you can expect the treatment to take about the same time as a lunch break. That means appointments are convenient to schedule, even for people with packed calendars!

What Happens After BOTOX^® Injections?

No down time is necessary, as there are no incisions that need to heal and no anesthetic that needs to leave your body. You can get right back to just about anything you were doing before, though there will be a few activities you should avoid in order to maximize your safety and results. Avoid intense workouts for about 12 hours. Don't rub or massage the treated area for about 24 hours after your session, because putting pressure on the injection sites can cause the medication to spread a bit. You will also need to refrain from sitting in saunas or hot tubs for the same amount of time.

Keep in mind that you may also experience some minor but common side effects, including slight redness or swelling where the injections happened, as well as a potential headache for a day or two. These signs of the injection process and the treatment getting to work will go away on their own.

Muscle activity will begin to slow in about three or four days, with results becoming increasingly apparent in about a week. The full effects of your BOTOX^® injections should develop about two weeks after your session. Many patients enjoy their resulting smoother and more youthful look for about three months—after which they return for a new round of injections.

Why Choose Buinewicz Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa for BOTOX^® Injections in the Philadelphia Area?

As board-certified physicians, Dr. Anna Buinewicz and Dr. Brian Buinewicz have gone above and beyond their medical degrees to voluntarily achieve certification based on higher standards of care. Their extensive experience in working with a multitude of patients from a wide range of backgrounds and with a variety of cosmetic goals gives them particular insight into how BOTOX^® works for the individual. Every aspect of care at Buinewicz Cosmetic Surgery—from the initial consultation to follow-up and long-term aesthetic plans—is based on a foundation of building trust, maximizing both safety and comfort, and generating beautiful results. Discover what the right treatment in the hands of the right team could do for you …

Are There More Treatments Besides BOTOX^® Available?

BOTOX^® is just one wrinkle relaxer for patients who want to address their unwanted facial lines. Buinewicz Cosmetic Surgery also offers numerous other neuromodulators, including Daxxify^™, Dysport^®, Jeuveau^®, and Xeomin^®. Each of these injectables works in basically the same way, but provides unique subtle benefits. Contact us for a consultation to learn specifics, as well as to discuss other cosmetic treatments available for the skin and hair. Consider dermal fillers in the Juvéderm^®, Restylane^®, and Revance^® collections for adding volume, Kybella^® for reducing a double chin, laser hair removal or intense pulsed light sessions, exfoliating chemical peels, and more!

For BOTOX^® in the Philadelphia area—Doylestown in Bucks County, PA, or Flemington in Hunterdon County, NJ—call Buinewicz Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa at 215.647.9668 or sending a message online.