Lafayette, LA Botox
As we get older, wrinkles, creases, and frown lines will inevitably appear on our faces. For most people, these signs of aging will make their debut around the eyes—the dreaded “crow’s feet”—while, for others, deep wrinkles across the forehead will be the first to set in.
If you have noticed these changes and find them undesirable, Botox injections are a safe and effective treatment to consider. Camellia Dental in Lafayette, LA is a certified provider of Botox, which is proven to successfully reduce facial wrinkles, creases, and frown lines. Botox can also be used to reduce the appearance of a “gummy smile,” where the patient’s smile reveals more of their gums than they’d like.
What is Botox and How Does it Work?
Botox is a protein complex prescription that, when injected into a facial muscle, prevents that specific muscle from contracting. Since wrinkles are often caused by repetitive muscle movement, Botox works by temporarily blocking nerve impulses to the muscle, therefore reducing activity in the muscle. The entire treatment takes about 10 minutes, with the injections lasting a few seconds each.
How Can Botox Correct A Gummy Smile?
For a gummy smile, Botox can be injected into the muscle right under your nose which is responsible for lifting your upper lip when you smile. Once the Botox is dispersed throughout the muscle, it will relax the tension that causes your gummy smile, resulting in a lowered lip. This treatment will still allow you to smile in a natural, pleasing way, without the worry of showing your gums.
BEFORE – This patient of ours felt self-conscious about her gummy smile and wanted to receive a Botox treatment to relax her upper lip.
AFTER – As you can see, our patient’s smile has drastically changed after Botox. Within 2 to 3 weeks, the upper lip has relaxed and is covering her gums.
What to Expect After a Botox Treatment
Discomfort at the injection site is normal, but brief and minimal. Some patients report redness or bruising following a treatment, which gradually fades within a week.
With Botox, you’ll start seeing results as soon as 3 to 4 days after an injection, and maximum results at 10 to 14 days. Lines and creases will continue to improve for 30 days, and the results will last three to six months. Botox is not permanent—so if you wish to maintain the effects, the treatment must be repeated. Visit our Juvederm page for information on another injectable treatment option.