BOTOX® Cosmetic

botoxFor patients who would like to turn back the clock on early signs of aging, Dr. Poulter offers BOTOX® Cosmetic at his Bloomington, Illinois, office. His practice has earned the Platinum designation from Allergan — the highest level of recognition given by the makers of BOTOX.

Lines and creases can contribute to looking tired, tense, even grumpy, and can make you look older than you’d like. For many women and men, these early signs of aging begin to show most prominently as expression lines around the eyes. Repeated laughing, frowning, and squinting can cause the formation of crow’s feet at the outer corners of the eyes, as well as vertical frown lines between the eyes. With the years, these lines become more permanent, remaining etched on our faces even when we are relaxed.

About BOTOX Cosmetic

By now, most of us are fairly familiar with the name BOTOX and have some understanding of its uses. However, despite the popularity of BOTOX Cosmetic — the brand name of the most popular cosmetic form of the botulinum toxin — there are still many myths and misconceptions about this highly publicized product that are worth clearing up.

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How BOTOX Works

BOTOX Cosmetic targets the tiny muscles responsible for the repeated expressions that cause dynamic wrinkles such as crow’s feet and vertical frown lines. The purified form of the botulinum toxin temporarily weakens the muscles that cause the wrinkles, giving the skin a smoother, more refreshed appearance. Larger muscles responsible for normal facial expressions are not affected, and your face will not end up looking “frozen” or surprised.

BOTOX and Fillers

Because it is often referred to as an “injectable,” BOTOX is sometimes confused with dermal fillers such as JUVÉDERM® Injectable Gel. Fillers plump up or add volume to certain areas of the face, whereas BOTOX Cosmetic smoothes and relaxes skin around the eyes and forehead wrinkles.

Safety of BOTOX Cosmetic

At our practice in Illinois, BOTOX Cosmetic is administered only by Dr. Poulter, a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive training and experience with this treatment. BOTOX has been safely used for millions of patients over several decades, with rare instances of side effects, which are generally minor and temporary.

BOTOX for Other Conditions

BOTOX is widely used to reduce the prominence of the masseter, a major muscle of the jaw. This technique is safe and is often performed on female patients who are bothered by the appearance of a prominent, square jawline. When administered by a skilled medical professional such as Dr. Poulter, BOTOX is popular with Champaign, Peoria, and other Illinois patients who want to slim their jawlines and improve the look of the lower face.

BOTOX administered to the masseter muscle also has the added benefit of reducing jaw clenching, which can lead to complications including temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and tooth damage. As with BOTOX administered to lines and wrinkles, the results of BOTOX injections to reduce the jawline or to alleviate jaw clenching will last for several months before a touch-up treatment is needed.

The Treatment

Dr. Poulter will make several small injections of BOTOX, specifically targeting the appropriate muscles. The needle used is very fine and causes very little discomfort. To reduce redness and swelling, a cold compress may be applied after your injections, which should restore a normal appearance and allow you to return immediately to your normal activities*. Results from BOTOX injections occur gradually over the course of 7-14 days, and patients typically return in 3-4 months for their next treatment*. Some patients experience slightly longer-lasting results as they continue regular BOTOX treatments*.

If you would like to learn more about BOTOX Cosmetic from Bloomington, Illinois plastic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Poulter, click here to request a consultation at one of our offices today. Or you can call us at (309) 663-1222 or Toll Free (888) 841-4108 and one of our helpful staff members will assist you.

*Disclaimer: Keep in mind that each patient is unique and results may not occur for all patients