Among the most common signs of aging are creases, laxity, and of course wrinkles that appear in the skin. There are many causes of these wrinkles, including long-term exposure to the sun and wind, aging itself, gravity, and in some cases genetics. Dr. Sonny O and his team currently offer BOTOX® and JUVÉDERM® injectables to help reduce the severity of these wrinkles and to help restore a more youthful appearance. Both of these injectables can be used on their own or in combination with other treatments to obtain the desired results.

What Is BOTOX®?

BOTOX® is an injectable that is created using a specific protein that weakens certain nerve impulses. When this protein is injected into the patient, it actually blocks specific nerve impulses that typically cause muscles in the area to contract. This allows the muscles to relax, which in turn allows the skin covering them to lie flat, smoothing out the wrinkles.

BOTOX® is considered to be a very effective form of cosmetic treatment for problems such as crow’s feet, creases in the forehead, and frown lines. The injections cause minimal redness and swelling in the area immediately following treatment, but there is little if any downtime involved. It can take a couple of weeks for the full results to emerge. The treatment should last for up to four months before needing to be repeated.

What is JUVÉDERM®?

Unlike BOTOX® which is used to block nerve signals, JUVÉDERM® is actually a dermal filler that is made from hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring hydrating agent in our bodies. As you age the amount of hyaluronic acid found in your skin begins to decrease. In turn, this lack of hyaluronic acid leads to a loss of overall volume, causing a “hollowing” of the cheeks and face, leading to the formation of wrinkles in several areas.

Dr. O injects the JUVÉDERM® directly under the skin using an extremely thin needle. As it is injected, the JUVÉDERM® begins to fill in the areas of soft tissue where the loss of natural hyaluronic acid has occurred. This process restores the volume and in doing so reduces wrinkles and fine lines creating a smoother and more youthful appearance. JUVÉDERM® works best for the cheeks, chin, and lips. There may be a little redness and swelling following the procedure, but there is little to no downtime and results can last for 6 to 12 months depending on the location.