BOTOX®  – Leawood, KS

Many patients who know that BOTOX is derived from botulinum toxin wonder whether it’s safe to use cosmetically. While it might be dangerous in large amounts, when it’s administered in small doses by a licensed practitioner, it’s considered harmless. In fact, in the first 14 years after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it, only 36 adverse events were reported. Many of these instances were related to the patient’s underlying medical problem, not the BOTOX.

Dr. Ayer is an active member of the American Academy of Facial Esthetics and has had extra opportunities to hone his skills with BOTOX and other dermal fillers, so you can trust that you’re in good hands.

While it would be wonderful to erase wrinkles from your face permanently, the results of your BOTOX treatment are likely to last about three months. Some patients who are new to this procedure might not need a refresher for up to six months.

This treatment works by blocking nerve signals that cause the injected muscles to contract. Once they’re relaxed, the skin resting over them can smooth itself, too. However, the effects of these injections are temporary because your body eventually metabolizes the protein in the injection and produces new neurotransmitters. 

Thankfully, there’s no real limit on how many times you can repeat the injections, and our team is happy to work with you to achieve and maintain the desired results.

To keep the results looking fresh, you can try any of the following helpful hints:

• Avoid sun exposure. The sun's ultraviolet rays can alter the DNA in your skin and cause wrinkles and blemishes that can’t be addressed with this method. Plus, it causes an inflammatory response in your cells that breaks down the toxin more quickly.
• Try low-intensity workouts. High-intensity activities and exercise raise your metabolic rate so that it’s able to break down the proteins in the injections faster. Instead, try integrating more low-to-moderate methods into your workout routine.
• Reduce stress. When you have a lot happening and are feeling overwhelmed, your muscles tense up more than usual and speeds up the aging process, both of which can interfere with your BOTOX results.
• Lotions with collagen and hyaluronic acid can help keep your skin looking smooth and healthy and reduce the speed at which your body breaks down the botulinum bacteria.
• Don’t smoke. Cigarettes and vapes contain nicotine and other harmful chemicals that break down your collagen, harm skin cells, and reduce the effectiveness of your treatment.

Although it’s considered safe in small amounts, there are some circumstances in which it can be harmful. They include:

• Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• If you have a neuromuscular disorder, like ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome.
• You have an allergy to cow’s milk protein.
• You suffer from breathing conditions like asthma or emphysema.

Also, keep in mind that this method cannot address some types of wrinkles, so you might need to check with your healthcare provider before proceeding. We also tell patients to avoid consuming caffeine or alcohol in the hours leading up to their procedure and to avoid blood thinners that can increase the risk of bruising at the injection site.

There are many reasons why BOTOX remains such a popular form of aesthetic treatment:

• It’s a safe and reliable way to smooth wrinkles and reduce facial sagging.
• It’s a conservative treatment that doesn’t require surgery to achieve results.
• It’s cost-effective, so patients can avoid the high cost of a facelift or similar procedures.
• It requires no recovery time; many patients have it done on their lunch break.
• It is nearly painless, only producing a slight sting upon initial injection.
• It can be fully customized based on your unique needs.
• You can see results quickly in just 1 or two days after treatment.

Yes, you need to meet with your dentist to discuss BOTOX in Leawood before moving forward. This consultation allows us to determine whether you are a good candidate based on your overall health and any medications you’re currently taking. As a prescription medication, BOTOX should be treated no differently than any other medicine you might receive from a doctor.

Your medical history, possible side effects, evaluation of your skin and facial muscle movement, and aftercare suggestions are all discussed during your consultation. This is also an ideal time to ask any questions you have about treatment and what you can expect.

You and your dentist will need to be on the same page before you can pursue BOTOX injections. This ensures you remain confident in your decision to receive treatment.

Absolutely not. Men in the United States reportedly receive more than 500,000 BOTOX injections each year because of workplace competition to combat ageism. They also rely on treatment to help them look younger when posting on social media or dating sites.

Most commonly, men tend to receive injections in the corner of the eyes to minimize crow’s feet, between the eyebrows to reduce frown lines, and in the forehead to reduce creases. Also, laugh lines around the mouth are a popular injection site for men.

This type of treatment is attractive to men because it is quick and easy. Taking only 15-20 minutes, it’s a fast and effective solution that doesn’t require time off work.