Tag: Botox Cary NC

Can Botox Be Used for Neck and Back Pain?

Young man holding his neck in painThough Botox is best known for smoothing wrinkles and fine lines, it also offers benefits for a variety of other things as well. Botox in Cary, NC, is used for migraines, eye conditions, excessive sweating, and overactive bladder. These injections can even help relieve neck and back pain.

How Does Botox Help?

When it is injected into the muscles in your neck or back, Botox blocks a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Though the treatment is not a cure for the pain, it can temporarily relieve it. The freezing effect it has on the muscles allows it to reduce certain types of pain, providing relief and functionality.

One thing to keep in mind is that treatment is different for everyone. Where some rave about the success they have had with Botox for back pain, others have experienced unsatisfactory results.

Cervical Dystonia

One condition that Botox in Cary, NC, has been proven to aid is cervical dystonia. This condition is known for its severe muscle contractions in the neck and shoulders. Commonly known as wry neck, the muscle contractions associated with this condition can leave the neck in twisted and uncomfortable positions.

By having Botox injected into the muscle, it can help freeze these contractions, providing temporary relief from the pain and discomfort.

If you are interested in Botox for your neck or back pain, contact Cary Plastic Surgery today at (919) 233-1933 to schedule a consultation. Our surgeon will meet with you to discuss your needs and to determine if Botox is the best treatment option for you.

The Different Face Wrinkles Botox Can Smooth Out

Blond middle-aged womanAging is inevitable, but fortunately, there are things we can do to help reduce the effects. Many women are self-conscious about the wrinkles and fine lines that form in their face, and will often turn to Botox in Cary, NC, for temporary fixes. Below are the different types of face wrinkles this treatment can help reduce.

Glabellar lines: As one of the most common uses of Botox injections, treating the glabellar lines will reduce the effect of aging in the patch of skin between the eyebrows and above the nose.

Crow’s feet: Crow’s feet are the wrinkles that branch out from the outer corners of the eyes. Though Botox can be used to minimize these lines, they are often more resistant to treatment due to their static nature.

Forehead wrinkles: When you raise your eyebrows, it causes the muscle in your forehead to crease and create wrinkles. Many women will opt for Botox to help reduce these lines from appearing.

Bunny lines: These are fine lines that appear on the bridge of the nose. Many people who treat their glabellar lines will also inject Botox for these wrinkles as well.

Lipstick lines: Lipstick lines are vertical wrinkles that appear above the upper lip. These wrinkles are caused by a variety of things, such as photoaging, puckering, and smoking.

Marionette lines: These are wrinkles that form from the corner of your mouth and down to your chin, similar to the jaw segment of a puppet. These lines are treated with Botox and dermal fillers depending on their severity.

What Botox Can and Cannot Do

Close-up of a woman smilingBotox injections are one of the most common non-surgical procedures to improve someone’s appearance cosmetically. Despite its long-standing popularity, there are still many myths surrounding the procedure. These misconceptions result in patients being misinformed when deciding whether this treatment is right for them.

Though Botox in Cary, NC, is commonly used for wrinkles and fine lines, it does not remove them from your face. Instead, it temporarily disables the muscles that cause these wrinkles by blocking the nerves in those muscles. It is most effective around the mouth, cheeks, and corners of the eyes, as we often squint, frown, and grimace, which causes those muscles to contract.

As we age, our skin loses elasticity, and permanent creases can still develop. Though Botox will not erase deeper wrinkles in your face, it can help to soften their appearance. This treatment also wears off within three to five months, meaning it is not a permanent solution to any wrinkles or fine lines that appear.

Many people who receive Botox injections are incredibly satisfied with the results they see. It is important to remain realistic about what Botox can and cannot do for you, and too much or improper use of the injections can result in a “frozen face.”

For more information on if Botox in Cary, NC, is right for you, contact Cary Plastic Surgery today. Dr. Hanna will consult you on the best treatment options for your wants and needs.

How Much Botox is Too Much?

Botox injection being drawnBotox is a great way to reduce wrinkles and look younger. It also has added benefits of being able to relieve headaches. Despite how great this procedure can be, there is the possibility of overuse.

Botox in Cary, NC, is meant to enhance your natural features, not entirely change your appearance. Botox injections are intended to reduce the fine lines and creases that appear on your face, and the right amount will do just that. However, too much Botox can cause your face to look frozen and mask-like.

How much is Too Much?

When it comes to Botox, there are two ways too much can be injected into your face. The first way is if too much of the serum is injected at once. The second is when you do not wait the appropriate amount of time between injections. The injections should also only be administered by professional cosmetic surgeons or registered nurses.

We understand how important it can be to reduce the effects of aging on many men and women. At Cary Plastic Surgery, we recommend waiting for at least three to four months between treatments. If you do end up with too much Botox and it is difficult for your face to move, you should wait until the treatment fully wears off before scheduling another treatment.

Eliminate Frown Lines with Botox Injections

Woman receiving Botox injections in her foreheadWrinkles are caused by a lack of collagen in the skin, cellular changes in the body, and exposure to the sun and environment. Botox injections are a way to temporarily freeze the muscles in your face to prevent them from creating crow’s feet and frown lines in the skin.

Botox Procedure

With a very fine needle, Botox is injected into the facial muscles that cause the wrinkles in areas you want to target. If you are looking to target frown lines, the injections will be placed in two different muscles in the forehead. Within a few days of treatment, you will begin to see results that will last up to four months.

Botox Side Effects

While many patients report only feeling a pinch at the initial injection, there may be other side effects that occur afterward. Most side effects of Botox in Cary, NC, are temporary and should subside after a few hours or days.

  • Dry mouth
  • Headaches
  • Neck pain
  • Vision difficulty
  • Localized pain
  • Inflammation
  • Swelling
  • Bruising

If you are interested in improving the appearance of your frown lines, look to our surgeon at Cary Plastic Surgery. Dr. Hanna is a licensed and insured plastic surgeon who can take on a variety of procedures. Reach out to our office today at (919) 233-1933 to schedule a consultation.

Is Botox Safe During Breastfeeding?

Woman holding a newborn baby in her armsBotox in Cary, NC, is a prescription medication created from bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. The toxins produced by the bacteria are called neurotoxins and are the same toxins that lead to the severe illness known as botulism. Botox is utilized in many medical procedures, primarily by dermatologists and plastic surgeons. Botox is used for many reasons, from smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles to treating cerebral palsy, chronic migraines, and excessive sweating.

Botox is injected directly into the muscle and then blocks nerve activity in that area, causing temporary paralysis of that muscle. When a woman who is breastfeeding is interested in Botox injections or wants to resume them from before the pregnancy, there are a few things to consider.

What We Know about Botox while Breastfeeding

  • Only a small amount of the botulinum toxin is within each injection.
  • Since the medication goes directly into the muscle, there is currently no evidence that the toxin will move through the body or pass into the breast milk.
  • The use of Botox injections during breastfeeding is unlikely to cause any harm to the baby.
  • It is recommended that the mother breastfeed before the injection, then wait a few hours before feeding again. This can further reduce any chance of passing the medication on to the baby.

Is Botox Safe While Breastfeeding?

Though there is not much research or information on the subject at this time, all current evidence points to mothers successfully receiving Botox injections with no adverse implications on the baby. When in doubt, always trust your instinct. If you are not comfortable receiving the injections based on the information available, speak with your doctor to determine the best possible alternative solution for you and baby.

Use Botox to Temporarily Eliminate Frown Lines

Botox Cary NCA life well-lived presents itself on our face. All of that smiling, laughing, crying or frowning shows itself in the form of laugh and frown lines. In our teens and 20’s our skin can easily bounce back to its gloriously smooth state, but as we move into our 30’s, 40’s, and beyond, the loss of collagen and elastin in the skin takes the shape of fine lines and wrinkles.

While once upon a time we simply had to learn to live with the laugh lines around the mouth or glabellar lines that appear between the eyebrows, today, Botox in Cary, NC, can help you look years younger. Botox is an injectable cosmetic treatment that temporarily relaxes your muscles to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.

In addition to frown and laugh lines, Botox injected into the right locations can make the jaw look more shapely and youthful, lift the nose tip up, and reduce forehead wrinkles as well. Want fuller lips? Botox is even being used in place of dermal fillers, adding volume to the lips to make them look plumper.  On average, Botox treatments last for four months, which means you can try it with confidence, knowing that the effects aren’t permanent.

The capacity of Botox to restore youth and beauty is immense. For many people, correcting fine lines and wrinkles just gives them another thing to smile about. To learn more about Botox in Cary, NC, contact Cary Plastic Surgery at (919) 233-1933 to schedule a consultation.

Using Botox to Prevent Migraines

Woman with a migraineThough Botox is mainly known for its ability to reduce wrinkles on the face, it also can act as a treatment for chronic migraines. Researchers have discovered that those who suffer from chronic migraines that also receive Botox injections reported having fewer migraines than they did before. Though it is currently unknown how these injections are reducing the frequency, future studies are in the works.

Botox for migraines is injected into the muscles around the bridge of the nose, temples, forehead, nape of the neck, and upper back. The procedure can burn, but only takes about ten to fifteen minutes to complete. When used as preventative medicine, Botox in Cary, NC, requires treatment every twelve weeks for maximum effectiveness.

There are some potential side effects to receiving Botox injections, such as neck pain, muscle weakness, injection site pain, and a rise in blood pressure. Some more severe side effects include dizziness, eyelid swelling, jaw pain, and difficulty swallowing. However, many of the more severe effects are also very uncommon.

If you are experiencing chronic migraines and are interested in Botox in Cary, NC, contact Cary Plastic Surgery today at (919) 233-1933. Our plastic surgery specialist will help you determine if Botox is the right choice of treatment for your needs.

Can You Be Immune to Botox?

Woman lying on field of dandelionsBotox in Cary, NC is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures. Unfortunately, it does not work for everyone, and it is possible that your body may be immune to the injections. Though Botox comes with a variety of potential side effects, what can you do if it just doesn’t work?

Some patients may have success with their first few treatments, but over time develops immunity to the injections. Others appear to have no success after just the first treatment. Botox resistance can be frustrating, and the fact that some people can become resistant at all is not well known. Before this immunity was discovered, it was assumed that the product was not working due to improper storage or an error with the injection process. This resulted in many women spending a significant amount of money on a product that their body will unknowingly not accept.

Though the number of those who resist Botox is low, it is important to know that there is a chance these injections will not work. If you receive a treatment and don’t experience any effects that you were hoping to, talk to your doctor to help determine if your body is immune.

For Botox in Cary, NC, choose Dr. Donald P. Hanna at Cary Plastic Surgery. Contact us at (919) 233-1933 to schedule your first Botox treatment today.

Three Things You Didn’t Know About Botox

botox cary ncFor many people, Botox is a fountain of youth – a way to smooth out wrinkles and keep you looking younger, longer. As a non-surgical procedure with few risks, Botox is an attractive option for those unwilling to go under the knife to achieve their ideal face. While most people are aware of this product and what it does, you may not know these three interesting facts about Botox:

You Don’t Have to Be Old

In fact, Botox works best when you start early. Most people see Botox as a way to reverse the effects of aging, but it is most effective when you use it as a preventative measure. Stopping wrinkles before they have a chance to really set in on your face will keep you looking young much longer than if you begin receiving injections after you start seeing significant wrinkles.

Botox isn’t Only for Wrinkles

In addition to keeping wrinkles at bay, Botox also as many non-cosmetic applications. Patients see amazing, and sometimes life-changing results when they receive Botox for conditions like excessive underarm sweating, migraines, overactive bladder, chronic pain lockjaw, and plantar fasciitis (heel pain).

You Can Extend the Life of Your Injections

To work, Botox uses enzymes, which in turn rely on Zinc to form. Taking a zinc supplement for several days before your Botox procedure and after can prolong the effectiveness of your injections. While Botox usually lasts around three months, you may extend that timeframe with the use of Zinc.

If you are interested in starting a treatment plan for Botox in Cary, NC, contact our specialists today to discuss your goals and options.