BOTOX® Cosmetic

BOTOX® Cosmetic is the most popular cosmetic procedure, and the most prescribed botulinum toxin type A in the U.S.

A 10-minute Botox treatment at Des Moines Plastic Surgery can easily and safely reduce your frown lines, laugh lines (crow's feet), and forehead lines.

A few tiny injections relax the muscles that cause those lines and keep them relaxed for months.

Millions of people have used Botox to reverse signs of aging. When injected into the skin, it relaxes small facial muscles, which works to reduce facial wrinkles for several months.

Is Botox® right for me?

Botox has several treatment applications, including both therapeutic and cosmetic treatments. Des Moines Plastic Surgery uses Botox to treat the following types of lines and wrinkles:

• Glabellar lines or frown lines
• Crow's feet
• Forehead lines

In addition to wrinkle treatment, Botox can reduce muscle spasms and excessive sweating in some patients. It may also be used to treat migraine headaches. Patients interested in Botox should be between 18 and 65 years old. Notify us if you have been previously treated with botulinum toxin and experienced adverse effects.

During your appointment in Des Moines, we may ask about your skin care regimen and examine the areas of your face you wish to have treated. From this examination, we will choose specific areas for Botox injection.

How Botox® Works

Botox temporarily reduces or eliminates frown lines, forehead creases, crows feet near the eyes and thick bands in the neck. The toxin blocks the nerve impulses, temporarily paralyzing the muscles that cause wrinkles while giving the skin a smoother, more refreshed appearance. Studies have also suggested that Botox® Cosmetic is effective in relieving migraine headaches, excessive sweating and muscle spasms in the neck and eyes.

Before Botox treatment, your skin will be thoroughly cleansed around the chosen points of injection. The total time for your treatment will usually not exceed 15 minutes. While a topical anesthetic may be available, it is usually not necessary.

Using a special technique, we will use a syringe to inject the Botox solution into the muscle. When injected into a specific muscle, Botox blocks the chemical signal from the nerve to the muscle. This decreases the contraction of the muscle, which causes the overlying fine line or wrinkle to smooth out.

FAQ

What can I expect after Botox treatment in Des Moines?

One of the perks of Botox is that following treatment, you will experience no downtime. However, we will give you specific aftercare instructions that should be followed closely. Patients are typically advised to remain upright for six hours and avoid alcohol. Notify a physician if you have difficulty swallowing, breathing or talking.

When will I see results of Botox?

After four to eight days, you should see the final, beautiful results of your Botox treatment at Des Moines Plastic Surgery. The reduction in the treated wrinkles can last anywhere from four to six months, at which point you may wish to return to our Des Moines office for touch-up treatments.

What are the possible side effects of Botox?

Botox Cosmetic has some possible side effects, including itching, allergic reaction, spreading of the toxin, and redness at the injection site. During your appointment at Des Moines Plastic Surgery, we will provide complete product information including information about Botox risks and side effects.

Does the dosage vary for some patients?

Botox dosage can vary, depending on the degree of the wrinkle to be treated and the size of the underlying muscle. For a larger muscle (often seen in men), a larger dose of Botox will be necessary for best results.

Learn More About Botox in Des Moines