Baby Botox: 5 Facts About This Beauty Treatment
If you are tired of looking in the mirror and noticing those fine lines and wrinkles but are a bit worried about taking on a full-on Botox treatment, baby Botox might be a good fit for you. At Thaxton Plastic Surgery, we can provide you with both Botox and baby Botox treatments, and here’s a look at this popular option.
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Baby Botox Uses The Same Formula As Full Botox
Everyone wants to know – what’s the difference between Botox and Baby Botox? Baby Botox, also known as micro-Botox, still uses the same bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. Some patients balk at the idea of injecting botulism into their bodies, but the Botox formula has been FDA-approved for more than 30 years. It was first used as a treatment for several eye disorders, but also has been used to treat patients with chronic migraines and even issues such as an overactive bladder. With micro-Botox treatments, we simply use less of the formula.
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Baby Botox Can Be Less Expensive
Because we use a bit less Botox, the cost of a baby Botox session can be less expensive than a full Botox treatment. Keep in mind, though, that with either procedure you can earn Alle points with both types of Botox procedures.
Alle is a reward program where you can earn points when purchasing certain services and products. As you acquire points, you can use them to enjoy discounts on many cosmetic services and procedures as well as some beauty products. Alle is free to join, and we highly recommend that all of our patients take advantage of this program.
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Baby Botox Can Provide A More Youthful, Natural Look
With baby Botox, because we use smaller doses of the product, this provides you with a very natural look. There’s less chance of acquiring that “frozen” look with baby Botox, but keep in mind, the micro-Botox procedures typically are indicated for younger patients with fine lines and minor wrinkles. For older patients or those with more lines and wrinkles, a full Botox treatment might be more effective, but it depends on the individual and your goals.
If you’ve been worried about acquiring that “frozen” look that you sometimes see with regular Botox, we totally understand. The trick with any type of Botox is to find an expert qualified practitioner, whether you opt for micro-Botox or full Botox. In most cases, that “frozen” look occurs when your Botox provider, frankly, doesn’t do a great job with the treatment.
A medically-qualified technician is who you should always choose for this procedure, and we think you’ll find that if you book a Botox session at Thaxton Plastic Surgery, you will be pleased with results no matter if you opt for micro-Botox or a regular full Botox treatment. Still, baby Botox does tend to produce a more natural look overall, and many patients love it. It also can be a fantastic way to get started with Botox, especially if you’ve been worried about the results, and baby Botox definitely is a bit more subtle.
In some cases, we will inject baby doses of Botox intradermally to improve skin integrity. For a typical, traditional Botox or Baby Botox treatment, we make intramuscular injections, but with intradermal injections, the injections aren’t as deep, only entering the dermis and not the muscles below. There have been a few small studies in medical journals that have shown that intradermal Botox improves the skin’s appearance including reducing pore size and number of pores as well as improving skin elasticity.
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Results Aren’t Immediate
Whether you opt for baby Botox or a full Botox treatment, it does take a few days for the Botox to work its magic. Botox (either micro-Botox or regular) works because the injected material blocks signals from the nerves that control facial muscles, causing them to relax rather than contract and this creates a smoother look in the skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
How long does baby Botox last? The results of either micro-Botox or regular Botox aren’t permanent, but they do last several months. Because we use less of the botulism neurotoxin, baby Botox results tend to fade a bit more quickly than regular Botox, but it does tend to depend on the individual. In general, the treatment lasts for about three months, but it can last longer for some patients.
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Baby Botox Isn’t Ideal For Everyone
We don’t recommend Botox for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, nor do we recommend this procedure for people with some nerve conditions, such as myasthenia gravis. If you have a skin infection, it’s best to wait until this clears up before scheduling a baby Botox procedure. Additionally, if you are allergic to the cow milk protein albumin, Botox contains this ingredient, so it’s not a good match for you.
There can be a few side effects from Botox and baby Botox procedures. A bit of bruising or swelling is common around the injection site. Occasionally, a patient will experience flu-like symptoms or a headache.
We typically recommend that patients taking blood thinners cease taking this medication for a few days before and after the procedure to avoid excessive bruising and swelling. We also recommend that you avoid NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.) as these can cause bruising and swelling due to their blood-thinning capacity. We also recommend that you avoid drinking alcohol for about two days before and after the procedure as this can dehydrate the skin and slow down the healing process.
While you can go back to your normal routine after a baby Botox procedure, it can be smart to avoid rigorous exercise for a day or two, as this can increase the risk of bruising. Otherwise, you are free to return to work and your typical daily activities.
Other Treatment Options
While micro-Botox can be a great way to give your look a bit of a lift, we have several other options to consider, as well. Juvéderm, for instance, is a non-surgical procedure that can help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles around the nose and mouth, and the results can last up to one year. Juvéderm also can be used for lip augmentation, softening circles under the eyes and restoring volume to your cheeks, giving you a more youthful look.
Additionally, services such as dermplaning and microdermabrasion are other options to consider if you don’t like the idea of injectables. These non-invasive treatments can provide you with a healthy glow and give your look a boost. Of course, we also can provide you with facials, chemical peels, eyebrow waxing, eyebrow tinting and more to help you look and feel your best.
If you are interested in booking an appointment for Botox, baby Botox or any of our other treatment options, give us a call at any time. Don’t forget to sign up with Alle before you visit so that you can begin earning points for future services.