Botox is a form of purified botulinum toxin that is FDA-approved to reduce facial lines when injected in tiny amounts into the areas around your eyes and forehead. Botox temporarily relaxes the muscles that cause wrinkles to form, which softens the appearance of lines and creases, resulting in smoother skin.

Botox is commonly used to reduce the appearance of your forehead lines and frown lines between your eyebrows. It can also be used to treat crow’s feet lines around the outside of your eyes, help your eyebrows appear lifted, treat downturned corners around your mouth, and relax your neck bands. In addition to minimizing the signs of aging, Botox may also be used to reshape your face by contouring the jawline and to treat excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) under your arms, on your palms, or on the soles of your feet.

Botox can also be used in other areas including but not limited to:

• Forehead lines

• Frown lines (11’s between the brows)

• Lateral eyebrows (for a “medical” eyebrow lift)

• Crow’s feet (laugh lines or lines around the eyes)

• Bunny lines (crinkling along the sides of the nose)

• Lip border (for subtle lip enhancement without the use of fillers)

• Downturned corners of the mouth

• Vertical lip lines

• Chin dimpling

• Facial reshaping by jawline reduction

• Excessive sweating underarms, palms, and soles (hyperhidrosis)

• Gummy smile (a smile that shows too much of your gumline)

You may see a partial effect as early as 3 days following injection and it can take as long as 7 to 10 days to see the full effect.

You may see a partial effect as early as 3 days following injection and it can take as long as 7 to 10 days to see the full effect.

Our goal with Botox is to produce a natural result. This is achieved by choosing a moderate effect so you retain the ability to express facial emotions. You will still be able to smile and scowl, and you should never look expressionless or “frozen.”

Botox is injected using very tiny needles. Ice packs and professional strength numbing cream make the procedure almost painless. Botox has an excellent safety record in the hands of our highly experienced, board certified dermatologists at ShanthiMD Dermatology. Most commonly, mild bruising can occur at the site of injection. Consider reviewing our pre-treatment tips for ways you can minimize the risk of bruising prior to your treatment. Rare, temporary side effects include double or blurred vision, headache, or eyelid droop.