Botox®/Dysport®

Anti-Aging Injections From Our Expert Team

Since being approved for cosmetic use in 2002, Botox® has changed the way people approach aesthetic medicine. Botox® was the first injectable compound to offer patients a safe and completely nonsurgical way to reduce the visible signs of aging. Today, Botox® is used to minimize wrinkles, enhance the results of plastic surgery, and treat certain medical conditions.

What Is Botox®?

Botox® is an injectable neuromodulator that quickly and painlessly smooths out crow’s feet, frown lines, and other dynamic wrinkles. (Dynamic wrinkles are creases that form when we move our face. They differ from static wrinkles, which are present even when the face is at rest.) Botox® works by temporarily blocking nerve signals in treated areas. This gently relaxes specific facial muscles so that they no longer create wrinkles in the skin when the patient laughs, smiles, or frowns.

Medically, Botox® is used to treat chronic migraine headaches. It can also prevent eyelid spasms and reduce excessive perspiration.

We also offer Dysport®, which is very similar to Botox®, but it has a smaller molecule and can diffuse to a larger area. It also has a faster onset than Botox®, so patients can expect to see their results in just a day or two.

Dr. Wilson and his professional team take a real personal approach to your treatment plan. His true artistry, skill and innate talent allow me to look and feel my best, and he appreciates my “less is more” attitude. The many, many compliments I receive from friends and strangers alike wanting to know my “secret”, are testament to his innovative vision and skill.
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Does Botox® Have Any Side Effects?

Botox® has been extensively tested and proven safe for external use. Adverse reactions to Botox® are extremely rare and most patients do not experience any serious side effects after having Botox® treatment. In rare cases, patients have reported suffering from a mild headache following treatment. If this happens to you, you should feel free to take an over-the-counter pain reliever to manage your symptoms.

Some mild redness and bruising may occur after having Botox®, but these issues typically resolve on their own within a few days. To reduce your risk of bruising, you should apply a cool compress to your face after treatment and avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours.

Who Makes a Good Candidate for Botox® Treatment?

Most healthy adults make excellent candidates for Botox® treatment. Botox® can treat the early signs of aging and reduce the amount of stress that’s placed on the skin, possibly preventing static wrinkles.

You should not have any injectable treatment if you are pregnant or nursing. The use of blood thinner medications can also interfere with Botox® results and, in some cases, may prevent treatment. If you regularly take a blood-thinning medication, you will need to discuss this with our team and you may need to discontinue its use.

Schedule a Consultation

From Breast Augmentation to Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty and everything in-between, Board-Certified plastic surgeon Anthony Wilson, MD, FACS offers a wide range of procedures at his Portsmouth, NH office. If you are interested in booking a procedure, take the next step by scheduling a consultation today.

Choosing a Botox® Injector in Portsmouth

One of the most prevalent myths about Botox® is the idea that it “freezes” the face and interferes with a person’s ability to make facial expressions. In trained hands, Botox® will not have this effect. The widespread presence of under-qualified injectors is the reason why Botox® is sometimes associated with a stiff, over-corrected look.

To enjoy the best that Botox® has to offer, patients must select their injector carefully. Board-certified plastic surgeons, like Dr. Anthony Wilson, are an excellent choice owing to their in-depth knowledge of facial anatomy. They can isolate the small muscles that create wrinkles without treating the larger muscle groups that give us the ability to make facial expressions. Plastic surgeons also have the ability to combine Botox® injections with surgical procedures for more uniform rejuvenation.

As part of his commitment to offering comprehensive treatment options, Dr. Wilson built on his Ivy League education by studying the art of nonsurgical cosmetic medicine. Today, he’s recognized as one of New Hampshire’s leading experts on injectable treatments and works to educate other surgeons on their correct application. Since becoming a national trainer for both Allergan and Revance, Dr. Wilson has authored several publications on injection techniques.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BOTOX

There is no “recovery” for Botox® injections. This is a 10 minute lunch break procedure with tiny injections that may cause localized swelling (like mosquito bites) at injection sites for 15-30 minutes. As with any injections, even having an expert injector, there is always the risk of bruising. There are many ways to help to prevent bruising which our knowledgeable office staff can educate you about prior to your appointment.

Recovery time varies for each patient and for each type of filler injected. It also can vary according to where the injections are (i.e. lips vs cheeks) and how much was injected. You can resume most activities right away, but it is generally recommended that you avoid intense physical activity and sweating for the first 24-48 hours to minimize swelling and bruising. You may experience swelling at the injection sites and an overfilled appearance which will subside with ice and time.

Almost any adult can benefit from filler treatments.  The middle-upper age adult, or those with loss of volume related to loss of muscle, fat or bone is the perfect candidate. Filler is used at different depths to restore or accentuate areas, depending on the desire of the patient. Filler is not recommended for patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

The best candidate for Botox® is someone who is healthy and does not have any neuromuscular or autoimmune diseases. A woman who is pregnant or breastfeeding is not a candidate. If you have mild to moderate lines with expression on your forehead, crows feet or between the brows, then you are likely a great candidate for Botox®.

You can go right back to work immediately  after injections. There may be some little swollen bumps at the injection sites, however those go away in 15-30 minutes. If you had filler, you may experience some gradual swelling over the next 24 hours. You can apply ice at 20 minute intervals to these areas to decrease any swelling. If you have a wedding or important event, it is recommended to do Botox® or filler 2 weeks prior or wait until after the scheduled event.

The best prevention for bruising is to avoid (if you are medically able) Aspirin, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Ibuprofen, Fish Oil and Vitamin D for 3-7 days prior to your injections. No wine or alcohol for 24 hours prior. And, for extra insurance you can take arnica montana (found in the health food store) tablets starting a couple days before. Pineapple, contains an enzyme called bromelain that can help dissolve blood clots and fade bruising. Bromelain is also known for speeding up healing and decreasing inflammation. Pineapple juice and pulp does not contain high enough quantities of bromelain to help bruises, however Arnica Montana gel or cream (The best is if you can find some with vitamin K in it even though it will be more pricey) may help bruises disappear quicker.

Both Botox® and Dysport® are types of botulinum toxin used to treat wrinkles, muscle spasms, migraines etc. The difference lies in the trace proteins found in each which can affect the properties of the botulinum toxin. Dysport® starts to kick in within 1 day, Botox® begins to kick in on day 3, however both reach their full effect by 2 weeks. Some studies show that Dysport®, on average may last longer on some people. The bottom line is that it is great to have more than one neurotoxin to choose from because there is “back-up” if one isn’t working as well for you anymore.

Juvéderm® and Restylane® are formulated using hyaluranic acid. They are reversible and dissolve over a specified amount of time. They fill an area under wrinkles or where there is volume loss immediately after injection. Restylane®

Fillers are made up of hyaluronic acid, which is found in our bodies, naturally. They are reversible and add immediate volume to an area injected. Sculptra® is made of PLLA (Poly-L-lactic acid) which stimulates collagen.  For best results, a Sculptra® treatment should be in a series of 2-4 injections, spaced 4-6 weeks apart. It will take 1-3 months to notice improvements however results outlast Hyaluronic Acid fillers.

The most important aftercare with Sculptra® is the 5-5-5 routine or “The Rule of 5’s”. The areas injected must be massaged for 5 minutes, 5 times a day for 5 days. This reduces the risk of  lumps or bumps forming under the skin. There will be swelling (which many people like) for a couple of days and then you likely will look as you did prior to the Sculptra® injections. Sculptra® is a biostimulator (stimulates collagen) which means that you won’t necessarily see immediate results. It is recommended to have 2-4 treatments. Typically you can expect to see results after 2nd treatment or at 3 months.

As with any injection, there is always risk of bruising or swelling so this should not be a treatment done right before a big event. You can expect to see significant swelling for 2 days for which you can apply ice. After the swelling subsides, you can expect to look as you did prior to your injections.

Filler in the hands can be done one of 2 ways. The first is by microcannula where usually one, occasionally 2 needle sticks is needed. There is less swelling, pain or chance of bruising. When done with a needle, multiple needle sticks are done to achieve the final result. The hands are massaged, to smooth the filler out and ice is applied.

There will likely be swelling in the hands after injections. The most swelling is the first couple of days, however tenderness and intermittent swelling can linger for a couple of weeks to a month. Ice can be applied to decrease this and you may not want to wear rings during this healing phase.

Arrange a Botox® Consultation in New Hampshire

Few treatments can combat the early signs of aging as quickly and as effectively as Botox®. If you’re interested in trying Botox®, contact Ivy League-trained plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Wilson at (603) 294-4526. He will be happy to guide you through the injection process.

Meet Dr. Wilson

Anthony Wilson, MD, FACS has vast experience performing facial, body, and reconstructive procedures. After receiving an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and completing training with a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Wilson has continued to improve his technique to ensure the best results possible. Learn More about Anthony Wilson, MD, FACS and why you should choose the Board-Certified plastic surgeon for your next procedure in the Seacoast Region.