You’ve probably heard of Botox®. It remains one of the world’s most popular cosmetic procedures, with nearly 7.5 million Botox treatments given to US patients in 2018. Botox isn’t just for aesthetics anymore; it can be part of your whole wellness routine to help keep you looking younger.
Dr. Grace Wu offers Botox treatment at Ethos Medical Group in Orange, California, helping her patients roll back the years that intense California sun can add to your face. You can benefit from Botox as part of your normal wellness routine.
How Botox works
Botox Cosmetic is a purified form of onobotulinumtoxinA, which has been FDA-approved as a cosmetic treatment for facial lines and wrinkles. When Dr. Wu injects Botox into your facial muscles, the safe version of the toxin temporarily paralyzes muscles that pull the face into lines or wrinkles when you smile or frown.
The treatment doesn’t erase facial expression, but it does help keep lines from forming on the forehead, between the eyebrows, and around the eyes. Not only does this lend a temporary visual benefit, but over time the repeated injections can stimulate collagen renewal, literally remodeling your skin and preventing new wrinkles from forming.
Step-by-step Botox treatment
First, Dr. Wu consults with you, discussing the areas of your face you want to target with Botox. Then she carefully administers the Botox, using a very fine needle to make a series of injections along the lines you are trying to minimize. This procedure typically takes only a few minutes.
You might feel a slight pinching or stinging sensation, similar to a mosquito bite, or you might feel nothing. After your treatment, if your face feels warm or tingles, you can use an ice pack to relieve any discomfort. Most patients go back to their normal activities on the same day as treatment. Just stay out of the sun for a few days, and don’t scrub your face roughly when you wash.
Botox results
Botox doesn’t work instantly. After about four days, you’ll start to see the effects, as fine lines and wrinkles diminish. Full relaxation of the facial muscles will be complete after about a week, and you’ll see the final results of your Botox treatment after 10 to 14 days.
Dr. Wu recommends you get on a schedule for your Botox injections. Most people find they can maintain their look with an appointment every three to six months.
If you’re ready to add Botox to your wellness routine, contact our office at 714-395-5043 or use our convenient online booking tool to schedule your consultation with Dr. Wu.