Botox in Santa Cruz, CA
Over time, repeated facial expressions can cause wrinkles and lines to form on the upper face. If you want to soften these wrinkles without surgery, botulinum toxin injections, or Botox, may provide the solution. Botox relaxes the small facial muscles responsible for wrinkles, smoothing the overlying skin. We’ll explore what Botox is, how it works, what it can treat, what to expect during and after treatment, and why Dr. Small is the provider patients trust for natural-looking results from their Botox injections.
What is Botulinum Toxin & How Does Botulinum Toxin Work?
Botulinum toxin is a purified protein used in small doses to relax overactive facial muscles. Wrinkles and lines in the face are often caused by muscle activity. When this muscle activity is reduced, the appearance of wrinkles and lines diminish. Botulinum toxin is injected into specific facial muscles that are responsible for common facial wrinkles and lines. As it takes effect, wrinkles and lines are improved to produce a more youthful appearance.
What Can Be Treated with Botox Injections?
Botox injections can be used to treat wrinkles caused by facial expressions, often called dynamic wrinkles. This includes:
- Forehead lines
- Frown lines between brows
- Crow’s feet
- Bunny lines on nose
- Chin or neck wrinkles
Additionally, we offer Botox injections to sculpt the masseter/jaw for a slimmer jawline. These injections have also been used to treat migraines and hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).
Which Botulinum Toxin Injections are Available at RSMD?
At RSMD Medical Aesthetics, we offer the following neurotoxin brands for botulinum toxin injections:
- Botox® Cosmetic: The first botulinum toxin neuromodulator, it is the most well-known and most commonly used for aesthetics. It produces results that last 3-4 months.
- Dysport®: This formula is uniquely made with smaller molecules, allowing it to spread farther for a more even distribution. Results last 3-4 months.
- Jeuveau®: The Jeuveau formula offers a higher concentration of botulinum toxin, which typically results in a faster onset. It produces results in 2-3 days and typically lasts for 3 months.
- Xeomin®: The Xeomin formula doesn’t contain any unnecessary proteins, which makes it a good fit for patients who have developed a resistance to other botulinum toxin injectables. Lasts 3-4 months.
- Daxxify®: The newest neuromodulator on the market, Daxxify offers longer-lasting results than other botulinum toxin products. Results last up to 6 months.
Dr. Small selects the appropriate brand and dosage for each patient based on factors like facial anatomy, treatment goals, and the patient’s response to previous treatments.
Botox vs. Dermal Fillers
Botox and dermal fillers are both injectable treatments used to rejuvenate facial aesthetics, but they work in different ways.
Botullinum toxin injectables contain a purified protein that blocks signals from nerves to muscles. This halts muscle contraction, relaxing the muscles that cause wrinkles with facial expressions. However, Botox does not address volume loss or static wrinkles.
Dermal fillers, on the other hand, restore facial volume. As we age, collagen and fat diminishes in the face, causing hollowness and sagging skin. Dermal fillers replenish volume lost due to aging. Fillers can fill lines and folds, while also restoring volume to the cheeks, lips, and under the eyes. However, dermal fillers cannot address dynamic wrinkles caused by muscle movements.
While Botox smooths wrinkles through muscle relaxation, dermal fillers add volume to fill lines and lift facial tissue. They rejuvenate the face with two distinctly different methods, but they can be combined for complete facial rejuvenation.
Before & After
Frequently asked questions
Is Botox Right for Me?
If you want to diminish wrinkles and lines without surgery, you may be a good candidate for botulinum toxin injections. At RSMD Medical Aesthetics, Dr. Small will evaluate your facial anatomy during a consultation, assessing your muscle activity, skin health, and overall treatment goals. With her expertise, she can help you evaluate whether Botox is a good treatment option for you. If they are a good fit, Dr. Small will develop a customized treatment plan to produce your desired goals.
What is an Injectable Treatment Like?
Botox treatments are quick and convenient. They’re performed in-office in a matter of minutes. No anesthesia is required for injections, but we can apply a topical anesthetic cream to numb the skin and minimize any discomfort from the injection process. To administer the treatment, we’ll deliver the Botox treatment into the appropriate facial muscles using a fine needle. There is no downtime after treatment, so you’ll be able to resume work and other normal activities immediately after your appointment, with the exception of avoiding strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours.
What are the Side Effects of Botox?
The most common Botox side effects are bruising, swelling, and/or discomfort at the injection site. Fortunately, these side effects are rare and typically resolve quickly. Choosing a medical spa with an experienced medical director who actively performs these injections, such as RSMD and Dr. Small, can minimize the risk of Botox injections. At our medical spa, Dr. Small is onsite daily and trains our staff, ensuring the highest level of safety and care for our patients.
One of the most feared side effects of Botox is a frozen or unnatural look. However, when administered by a qualified and experienced provider like Dr. Small, Botox can achieve a natural look that softens frown lines while preserving facial expressions and individuality. Dr. Small’s expertise and oversight ensures that the treatment is tailored to your unique facial anatomy, resulting in a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance that looks natural.
How Long Does Botulinum Toxin Last?
Botox can take a few days to take effect. Most patients notice results within a week of treatment, although many patients will begin seeing results sooner than that. As it begins to take effect, you’ll notice a more relaxed appearance as wrinkles and lines fade away. The duration of your results can vary depending on the product used and how quickly your body breaks down the formula, with most patients enjoying results that last 3-6 months. If you begin seeing your results fade, you can schedule a touch-up treatment to prolong your results. Repeated treatments can help wrinkles and lines appear less severe over time as the muscles become trained to relax.
How Much Do Botox Injections Cost?
At RSMD, we have implemented a fixed syringe pricing model for all of our injectable procedures, including botulinum toxin. Unlike many other med spas and aesthetic providers who price injectables by product, we believe that paying for aesthetic procedures by the amount or type of product used is not an accurate reflection of the provider’s skill, knowledge, and training. Our fixed syringe pricing ensures that the focus is on achieving the best outcome possible for our patients without any surprises. We establish the procedure costs upfront, so you know exactly what to expect before we even start.
At RSMD, our fixed pricing model includes several extras that very few providers have the confidence to include with their injection procedures, maximizing your outcome and maintaining longer-term patient satisfaction. We offer complimentary two-week follow-ups to check your results and provide a complimentary touch-up if needed. We also provide specialized camouflaging makeup to minimize the impact of any bruising that may occur after your appointment. In some cases, we even provide complementary laser treatments that significantly shorten the appearance of a bruise.
At RSMD, we believe that fixed pricing is the best way to focus on the best possible patient aesthetic outcomes. We are committed to providing the highest level of care to our patients and achieving the best possible results, and our fixed syringe pricing model is just one of the many ways we achieve that goal.
Why Choose RSMD for Your Botox Treatment?
Rebecca Small, MD is a leading authority in non-surgical medical aesthetics and can help you achieve a more youthful appearance with Botox injections. She wrote a first and second edition book on the topic and teaches other providers how to do these procedures. She has refined her injection technique over decades of experience, ensuring precise placement and even distribution for optimal results. Dr. Small customizes Botox treatment plans to meet each patient’s unique goals and needs for non-surgical facial rejuvenation.
At RSMD Medical Aesthetics, every aspect of your experience will be overseen by Dr. Small to ensure exceptional care and natural-looking outcomes. With an artistic eye, technical expertise, and keen understanding of facial anatomy, Dr. Small creates balanced, harmonious results that enhance your natural beauty.
We invite you to schedule a consultation for botulinum toxin injectables and take the first step towards the youthful appearance you desire. Call today and discover why patients trust RSMD for their cosmetic goals.
