Every year, dermatologists and aestheticians across the United States administer about 4.5 million BOTOX® Cosmetic or Dysport® treatments to women and men. In fact, of all the minimally invasive cosmetic procedures now available, treating wrinkles and other aesthetic issues with neuromodulators such as Botox and Dysport is the most popular.
Botox and Dysport are both wonderful first-line anti-aging treatments. They’re easy to get, fast-acting, and effective. Each will erase years from your face within days to weeks.
At Specialists in Dermatology, our expert dermatologists now offer cosmetic services — including wrinkle treatments with Botox and Dysport — at our offices in The Woodlands, Texas, and Houston, Texas. Are you ready to erase your wrinkles? Here’s what you need to do before your first neuromodulator treatment to ensure you get the best results possible.
Find the best injector
As with any other service, the efficacy of treatment depends on who administers it. Although both Botox and Dysport are powerful neuromodulators that relax the dynamic muscles on your upper face that cause wrinkles, getting the best results takes experience and skill.
Our Dermatology team has experienced injectors. We administer the right amount of neuromodulator in an appropriate pattern to relax your dynamic upper-facial muscles without “freezing” them. This allows for natural expressions while keeping wrinkles at bay.
Avoid cigarettes and alcohol
Before your treatment, you should avoid doing anything that adversely affects your circulation or health. Both cigarettes and alcohol affect the flow of blood throughout your body, including your face.
Alcohol dilates your blood vessels, which may lead to increased bleeding or bruising. In contrast, the nicotine in all tobacco products and even in nicotine patches and gum, constricts your blood vessels. That means your tissues don’t get the nourishment they need to heal well and stay healthy.
Of course, quitting cigarettes and limiting alcohol is good for your health overall, so if you’re interested in a cessation program, let us know. At least avoid smoking and alcohol for a few days before and after your Botox or Dysport treatment.
Discuss your medications and health with us
Some medications may affect your healing as well as your Botox or Dysport results. When you come in for your consultation, please bring us a complete list of any and all medications you take.
You should also apprise us of any herbs or supplements you take. Some, such as ginkgo biloba, may also affect blood flow and so should be avoided right before your treatment.
In addition, if you have a medical condition that affects your nerves or muscle health, Botox and Dysport may not be right for you. Let us know if you have any infections, allergies, or bleeding disorders, too.
Be clear and realistic about your goals
We need to know exactly what goals you hope to achieve with your Botox or Dysport treatment. Are you interested in erasing wrinkles from your:
- Forehead
- Between your brows (i.e., “11” or frown lines)
- Around your eyes (i.e., crow’s feet)
- Bridge of your nose (i.e., bunny lines)
- All of the above?
Depending on how deeply furrowed your lines are, we may recommend a combination treatment, including a dermal filler, such as Restylane®. You also should know that neuromodulators such as Botox and Dysport take a while to work; you won’t see your results the same day. Neuromodulators may take up to two weeks for optimal results.
Relax and breathe
Getting your first Dysport or Botox treatment is exciting, but it’s also normal to be a bit nervous. Will the injections hurt? Will you get the results that you want?
We control the discomfort of injections by numbing your face beforehand. You shouldn’t feel any pain. If you have any swelling or bruising, you can control it by applying a wrapped ice pack to your face afterward and using over-the-counter painkillers.
As far as your results are concerned, talking to us about your goals helps you understand the process and what kind of results you can expect. Botox and Dysport can erase years from your face while still looking completely natural.
Get ready for treatment #2
During your first treatment, we encourage you to book your follow-up treatments, which are usually scheduled within three to four months. That way, you don’t have to worry about your neuromodulator wearing off and your wrinkles reappearing. We help you stay wrinkle-free, seamlessly.
Schedule your first Botox or Dysport treatment today by contacting our skin experts today at the Specialists in Dermatology location nearest you. You can also use our convenient online contact form.