BOTOX® Cosmetic

BOTOX® Cosmetic is offered at our Maryland plastic surgery centers to help combat dynamic wrinkles, or those caused by the repetitive movement of the underlying facial muscle. Behaviors like squinting, frowning, and worrying can cause individuals to constantly look tired or angry. BOTOX® Cosmetic, however, relaxes the muscle. Although patients are still able to express emotions naturally, the appearance of lines and wrinkles is greatly reduced. BOTOX® Cosmetic at our Maryland offices typically requires less than 30 minutes to complete, and results are evident in a few days. Improvements from BOTOX® Cosmetic injections can last up to four months before maintenance treatments are needed. At The Plastic Surgery Center of Maryland, our doctors can help you determine if BOTOX® Cosmetic is the right treatment option for you based on the condition of your skin and your personal goals.

Botox works at the end of the nerve when it communicates with the muscle.  When the brain sends a message to a muscle for it to contract an electrical impulse is sent down to the end of the nerve.  At the end of the nerve a minute amount of a chemical, or neurotransmitter, is sent from the end of the nerve to the muscle and tells the muscle to contract.  Botox works here to block transmission of the neurotransmitter to the muscle.  The muscle does not receive the signal to contract and remains in the relaxed state. Therefore, if there is no muscle contraction there is no skin wrinkle.  The Botox binds only to the cell in the local area of injection so there is no effect on any of the other muscles in the body or face.

The procedure is relatively easy and painless.  The Botox is injected during a short office visit with your doctor through a tiny needle.  Treatment of the frown lines may require five or six small injections, while treating larger areas such as the forehead may require more.   This is all done during one visit that usually lasts about 15 minutes and is only minimally uncomfortable.  Afterwards the patient may return to normal non-strenuous activities almost immediately. Maximal effect after the injections is usually reached 3 to five days following the injection.   The muscle is weakened from the injections but there is usually still voluntary activity.  You call still frown and express emotions but not nearly as strongly in the injected areas.  Within days there is a noticeable improvement of the wrinkles. 

Additional Non-surgical options:

Dysport Injections: Read more about Dysport® Cosmetic treatments.

Restylane Treatments: can be used to safely and effectively restore the skin's volume and to fill facial wrinkles, including nasolabial folds.

Collagen injections: Used to increase fullness in the lips or to reduce the appearance of facial lines, collagen injections can help you look younger and feel more attractive.

Non-Surgical Facelift Technique: Threadlifts