Aesthetics

What is Botox®?

Botox is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments in America today. Since 2002, when Botox was approved by the FDA to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes, millions of people have taken years off their appearance with the injections.

What are platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections?

PRP injections are a type of regenerative medicine that stimulates new cell growth and repair by flooding your tissue with a dense dose of growth factors. PRP injections are made from a sample of your blood, which is separated and recombined to create a serum that is 5-10 times higher than a normal blood sample. When injected into your skin, PRP helps boost collagen growth which plumps and enhances your skin from within to create a more youthful appearance.

How do Botox and PRP injections enhance my appearance?

First, consider the causes of visible signs of aging. Sun damage and the natural decline of collagen and elastin production make your skin thin and dry which contributes to wrinkles and discoloration.

Your small facial muscles pull your skin into folds when you smile or make another facial expression. As your skin becomes dry and less elastic, it gets stuck in those folds and wrinkles form. Botox works by temporarily paralyzing those small facial muscles. As your facial muscles become still, the skin covering them also relaxes and smooths, reducing the appearance of your wrinkles.

PRP injections work by stimulating fresh collagen growth and tissue repair deep within your skin. New, tight collagen plumps your skin from within, which both reduces the appearance of wrinkles and skin laxity and improves your overall skin tone.

What should I expect during an aesthetic treatment?

A Botox appointment can take as little as a half hour including preparation and injections. Your provider cleanses your skin and studies your face to identify the best places for your Botox injections. Most patients tolerate Botox injections well, but if you have sensitive skin or are nervous about needles, you can apply a topical numbing cream before your appointment. You’ll typically notice an improvement in your appearance within 24-48 hours after your injections which last up to four months.

PRP injections take slightly longer and are often combined with other facial treatments. After taking a blood sample and creating the serum, your provider uses a device similar to a Dermapen® to make tiny injections of the serum into your skin. You may notice an improvement right away, but the effects become more obvious in the weeks following your treatment as your collagen stores are replenished.

To learn more about how PRP and Botox can improve your appearance, call Holistic OB/GYN & Midwifery Service or make an appointment online today.