You Still Have Time for Holidays without Crow’s Feet
Since we missed last year’s busy social calendar full of parties and get togethers thanks to COVID, this year we’re all in! Even dinner at the in-laws sounds great!
But who wants their crow’s feet, frown lines, and forehead lines to come with them? Exactly no one! You can keep them off your guest list by coming see us at Central Valley Eye Medical Group and having Dr. Cockerham provide Botox, Xeomin, or Dysport injections.
Many people opt to have Botox injected at their neighborhood nail salon or even their dentist. But that’s a risky proposition, particularly right before an important social event, as when Botox is injected into the wrong muscle it can cause issues such as a droopy eyelid. Not exactly the look to go with that new dress you bought for your office party.
That’s why you should only trust Botox injections to an expert in facial anatomy. Dr. Cockerham is a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist. She has intimate knowledge of facial anatomy and understands where, and just as important, where not to place Botox/Dysport/Xeomin to achieve the desired effect relaxing the correct muscles.
In case you’re new to Botox and the other neuromodulators we offer at Central Valley, a little primer wouldn’t hurt. We’ll use Botox as the example, but all three of these products are very similar with subtle differences that Dr. Cockerham can describe for you when deciding which of the three is best for your situation.
What is Botox?
Botox consists primarily of the botulinum toxin type A, the same bacteria that can cause botulism. That sounds scary, but the botulinum toxin can actually be found throughout the natural world, even in the soil you’ll find in a nearby wooded area. Back in the 1950s, scientists researching the botulinum toxin found that when it was injected in minute amounts into a muscle it stopped the muscle from contracting for a period of time. Botox was born from that research.
How does Botox work?
Botox works by blocking the acetylcholine (a nerve messenger) in the muscles from relaying messages to the brain. By blocking the message to contract a muscle, the brain never initiates the contraction, and the muscle remains at rest. You can see how this would be valuable in treating conditions with involuntary muscle contractions. In fact, Botox’s first FDA approval in 1989 was for treating involuntary eyelid spasms.
What about wrinkles?
But Botox became a world-famous brand name in 2002 when the FDA approved it for treatment of frown lines (glabellar lines) and forehead lines. It added approval for treating crow’s feet in 2013, although Botox had long been used off-label to treat these wrinkles outside the eyes. All three of these wrinkles form when we contract certain muscles on the upper third of our faces to form expressions, such as frowning. When Botox is injected into the muscle that forms one of these wrinkles, the muscle stays relaxed and the wrinkle on the skin surface doesn’t form or is dramatically lessened in appearance.
Now that just coming into prime holiday party season, this is a great time to come in and have Dr. Cockerham relax those wrinkles and lines with Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin. That way, you’ll look great for your holiday parties and get-togethers. But do remember that Botox and the others take about four days to fully take effect and block the muscle contractions, so be sure to allow time before your event.
Call us at Central Valley Eye Medical, (800) 244-9907, to schedule a session with Dr. Cockerham just in time for your holiday parties.
Posted in: BOTOX® | Dysport® | Xeomin®
