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Refresh Your Expression Rediscovering Youth with BOTOX Cosmetic at The Maas Clinic™

Expressions that are a natural part of our appearance and personality can become etched on our faces over time. When we smile, frown, or squint, wrinkles form across the forehead, between the eyebrows, and in the corners of the eyes. While the lines may only appear when we make those faces at first, they can become permanent fixtures on the face as the years pass. If you notice more lines on your upper face, making you look perpetually tired, angry, or worried, nonsurgical help is available.

BOTOX in San Francisco is a neuromodulator that relaxes facial muscles when directly injected using a tiny needle. The medication serves to control the hyper-functional or overactive frown and squint lines. BOTOX Cosmetic can also be used for other enhancements, such as elevating the brow line slightly at the first sign of drooping. In a few minutes at our office, you can refresh and rejuvenate your appearance with a visible reduction in facial lines.

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Explaining BOTOX

Botulinum A toxin (BOTOX) is a therapeutic protein derived from the C Botulinum bacteria. Injected in small doses, BOTOX has been safely used for many years, working to temporarily paralyze the affected muscles to soften facial imbalance and release muscle spasms. BOTOX helps treat:

  • Eyelid spasm
  • Eye muscle spasm that causes crossed eyes
  • Correction of facial muscle imbalance
  • Neck muscle spasm

More recently, BOTOX Cosmetic has been used to relax the active facial muscles that create seemingly permanent creases between the eyebrows, on the forehead, and around the eyes over time. The same principles that make BOTOX Cosmetic effective as a medical treatment make it efficient as a cosmetic treatment. Injecting small amounts of BOTOX Cosmetic into these active facial muscles results in localized paralysis and a smoother, more relaxed facial expression.

BOTOX Cosmetic Safety and Efficacy

Patients sometimes get nervous about BOTOX Cosmetic and related products like Dysport because they think of the botulinum toxin as a poison that was initially discovered in canned foods. However, the ingredient in cosmetic products is a naturally occurring protein.

Like any medicine, BOTOX in San Francisco can be very beneficial in the right dose, while the wrong or higher doses can be dangerous. Dr. Maas has been involved in approving and comparative studies of neuromodulators, including BOTOX Cosmetic and Dysport. Both products have a 20+ track record of both safety and effectiveness for patients.

BOTOX vs. Other Neuromodulators

Since neuromodulators all function essentially the same, their differences come down to tiny details in their applications. While one isn't necessarily better than the others, one will be better suited for you than the others, depending on what you are trying to achieve. During your consultation with one of our medical professionals, we will work with you to determine which neuromodulator is best suited to your conditions. Since every patient is different—with their own unique anatomies and aesthetic goals—it is imperative that we take the time to ensure you aren't just getting a cookie-cutter treatment instead of a highly tailored solution. Here is a look at two of the most common other neuromodulators on the market and how they differ from BOTOX.

Dysport

One of the most significant differences between Dysport and BOTOX is the dosage used during treatment. It would be best to find a physician like Dr. Maas, who understands the differences in dosing requirements so that you have optimal and safe results. Dysport is also more prone to spreading to nearby muscle tissue, so it is generally better suited to patients treating a larger surface area than those needing small, targeted areas. Dysport can also produce results slightly more quickly than BOTOX in some cases.

Xeomin

The difference between Xeomin and BOTOX is mostly theoretical for the time being. While other neuromodulators have "presumably inactive" proteins surrounding them, Xeomin strips those superfluous proteins away, thereby producing a purified version of a neuromodulator. The idea is that the inactive proteins could create antibodies that eventually block treatments like BOTOX and Dysport from being effective. While only some of these blocks have ever developed, Xeomin is still a strong neuromodulator alternative that has shown to be just as effective as BOTOX.

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BOTOX Cosmetic Treatment Areas

BOTOX Cosmetic in San Francisco works in the upper third of the face as primary therapy. The product may also be used for some lower facial applications, including the bands in the neck, the downturned corners of the mouth, and small wrinkles around the upper and lower lip in some cases. Relaxing the overactive musculature that pushes the skin to form these lines when we squint, frown, or raise our eyebrows addresses the root of this aging problem. Dr. Maas has performed extensive research and published clinical papers related to the use of BOTOX Cosmetic. In one of his recent articles, he writes:

"Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) has been used successfully for many years for various cosmetic indications. Its use for upper facial rhytides and dynamic line applications (most commonly for treating glabellar lines, horizontal forehead lines, and crow's feet) is prevalent. The use of BTX-A in the lower face was initially considered controversial because results were believed to be unpredictable. However, the distinction between the upper and lower face was somewhat arbitrary and subjective, and this product's usefulness for several lower facial and neck applications is becoming clear.

"The forehead may be the most unpredictable and poorly treated upper face region with neuromodulators. Injectors must balance the benefit of hyper-functional line improvement with the relaxation of the only brow elevator, the frontalis, and the attendant ptosis of the brow that will occur. In the author's opinion, dosages exceeding 20 units in the forehead are rarely warranted because the trade of complete line effacement is not worth the side effect of noticeable brow ptosis."

Can BOTOX Cosmetic Change My Appearance?

While treating wrinkles is the primary purpose of BOTOX Cosmetic injections, the formulation can also positively affect the appearance in other ways in some patients. Remember that neuromodulators like BOTOX Cosmetic are relatively simple in their mechanism of action.

They relax the muscle that is treated. When administered, your surgeon utilizes the different vectors of pull around the face to improve the face's shape, symmetry, and overall contour. At the same time, wrinkles are smoothed away.

Sometimes, BOTOX Cosmetic can even open up your eyes when you smile. In the early 2000s, Dr. Maas conducted a study that showed patients could achieve up to five mm of brow elevation when the brow is at rest after being treated with BOTOX Cosmetic. When you smile, you elevate the cheek muscles, and the forehead comes down. With a BOTOX Cosmetic lift, the brows will not descend as much, making your eyes look slightly more prominent when you smile. BOTOX Cosmetic under the brow can also relax the downward pulling forces of the eye muscles, allowing the eyes to look more open at rest as well.

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Who Should Administer Your BOTOX Cosmetic Injections?

According to Dr. Maas, the BOTOX Cosmetic injector you select does much more than merely administer your injections. This professional is also responsible for:

  • Providing information on the specifics of the procedure
  • Confirming that BOTOX Cosmetic injections are the right choice for you
  • Offering reassurance about the safety and efficacy of the process
  • Bringing the experience, expertise, and competence required for a safe and successful treatment

Dr. Maas has been a pioneer in the use of BOTOX Cosmetic for cosmetic applications, and he and his associates have developed the techniques currently used to achieve maximum results while avoiding the "frozen," "surprised," or "expressionless" look that concerns many prospective patients. His expertise in using BOTOX Cosmetic injections has consequently led to the training of numerous other physicians for cosmetic applications.

Choosing a board-certified facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Maas of The Maas Clinic™ to perform your BOTOX Cosmetic injections means you're in the hands of an expert who is intimately familiar with the movement and placement of each of the muscles and contours of your face.

Additional Uses for BOTOX

While BOTOX is used primarily as a remedy for fine lines and wrinkles, numerous alternative uses for this neuromodulator have provided many patients with a ton of relief. If you are interested in alternative ways to use BOTOX, let us know so we can give you all the necessary information. Here are a few of the different uses:

Migraines

While it isn't the primary use, BOTOX is FDA-approved for migraine treatment. By preventing muscle strain around the head, many patients can mitigate their chronic migraines by relieving the tension around that area.

Acne

Preliminary research shows that BOTOX may be an excellent way to decrease oil production and acne by injecting it into active acne lesions. While the market is already saturated with plenty of products that aim to rid you of lesions and blemishes, BOTOX would provide a new, unique alternative way to reduce the appearance of acne.

TMJ

The temporomandibular joint disorder is a condition in which the muscle that controls jaw movement begins developing pain. While an oral surgeon or specialist typically treats this condition, BOTOX can help alleviate that pain through direct injections into the temporomandibular joint.

Hyperhidrosis

Some people experience overly active sweat glands, producing bothersome sweat that can seep through clothing in public despite tons of precautions and effort to avoid it. Luckily, combating hyperhidrosis is another treatment that BOTOX excels at. By blocking signals to the sweat glands, you can prevent your body from producing the abundance of sweat that it usually does.

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About the BOTOX Injection Procedure

When you schedule your BOTOX Cosmetic procedure at The Maas Clinic™, we will ensure you have enough time to start your appointment with photographs. Images give us a baseline to work from, and if you have a concern or issue after your procedure, Dr. Maas can study the photos to produce optimal results.

We encourage patients to come back two weeks after their treatment for additional pictures if possible so that we can ensure the best possible results from your procedure. The second step of our BOTOX treatment is the application of a specially compounded topical numbing cream to reduce the sting of the injection needle. 

While Botox injections are not particularly painful, adding numbing cream reduces discomfort by as much as 70%. It is beneficial for patients who are sensitive to needles. The cream only takes around 20 minutes to take effect, so adding this step does not extend your appointment significantly.

Combining BOTOX with other Neuromodulators

Patients sometimes ask Dr. Maas about mixing neuromodulators to take advantage of subtle product differences to improve their results. Dr. Maas has performed trials where BOTOX Cosmetic was injected on one side of a patient's face, and Dysport was administered to the other. He found that Dysport had a slightly better smoothing effect on crow's feet, while BOTOX Cosmetic tended to work more efficiently locally in areas like forehead lines. Despite these findings, Dr. Maas advises against mixing neuromodulators in a single treatment session. There are no controlled trials to demonstrate the safety or efficacy of this practice, and it could even prevent a patient from getting the desired results.

After Your BOTOX Cosmetic Treatment

Dr. Maas advises his patients to avoid aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories like Advil, Aleve, and Motrin to prevent bruising after Botox injections. Patients who follow these instructions tend to have few noticeable side effects after their procedure and can return to activities without worrying that their treatment is evident to others. Preliminary results may be noticeable immediately and will continue to improve in the days following the treatment session. Injections of BOTOX Cosmetic relax the facial muscle for three to four months on average.

Dr. Maas occasionally sees a patient that can go as long as six months between treatments. As a treatment that only needs to be performed two or three times a year, this minimally invasive procedure is popular for patients who want to maintain a more youthful appearance but are still deciding whether to invest their time and money into surgical options.

Beauty Valet: Beauty Made Convenient

You shouldn't have to wait an hour for your injectable touch-up treatment. That's a tenet we firmly believe in, so if you have a regular cosmetic regime you stick to, it can be frustrating having to worry about making appointments and hassling with the process every single time. For a hassle-free experience, we developed Beauty Valet—to give you a convenient way to get your touch-up treatments without having to go through a frustrating process every time. All you have to do is pull your car up to the door to be greeted by our personal, complimentary valet service and head into our office for your treatment. We work to get you in and out of your treatment within 15 minutes. No more waiting to be called as a walk-in or having to find parking. You attain smooth skin and a rejuvenated appearance with as little of your time as possible. Beauty Valet is available for BOTOX, Dysport, Jeaveau, or Xeomin treatments. You can call our San Francisco office at (415) 567-7000 to learn more about this service.

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Refresh, Rejuvenate, Restore 

BOTOX Cosmetic is a quick, efficient way to relax wrinkles in the upper face and achieve a refreshed, more youthful look. This procedure has a long track record of safety, and two or three treatments a year should be sufficient to allow you to sport your rejuvenated appearance over the long term.

Corey S. Maas, MD, and the staff at The Maas Clinic™ look forward to answering any questions you might have about BOTOX Cosmetic or any of our other anti-aging treatments. To learn more, please contact us. Corey S. Maas, MD, reviewed this information about BOTOX. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.

BOTOX FAQ

Can BOTOX Open Up My Eyes When I Smile?

Is Botox Safe?

How Long Does It Take to See Results, and How Long Do They Last?

Can BOTOX Open Up My Eyes When I Smile?

Yes, Botox can help elevate the brows, making your eyes look more open when you smile. It relaxes muscles that pull the brow down, allowing for a subtle lift and more prominent eyes. Always choose a qualified expert like Dr. Maas for precise results.

Is Botox Safe?

Botox is generally safe when administered by a qualified professional. Common side effects include temporary bruising or swelling. Serious complications are rare, but it's important to discuss your medical history with your provider before treatment.

How Long Does It Take to See Results, and How Long Do They Last?

Results typically appear within a few days to a week, with full effects in two weeks. Botox lasts about 3-4 months, and regular treatments may lead to longer-lasting results.

Why Choose Dr. Maas? 


Choosing Dr. Corey Maas from The Maas Clinic means selecting a world-class expert with over 30 years of experience and more than 3,000 rhinoplasty surgeries performed. Dr. Maas is double board-certified in California and Florida and has earned prestigious accolades, including Best Cosmetic Surgeon by the SF Examiner and SF Weekly. He is also a leader in non-surgical treatments like BOTOX®, offering patients a safe, effective solution to reduce wrinkles and achieve a youthful appearance. For over two decades, Dr. Maas has served as a fellowship director for The Fellowship Program, supported by the Educational and Research Foundation of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. His personalized care and innovative techniques make him a trusted choice for surgical and non-surgical facial rejuvenation.

Learn More About His Experience

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