Neurotoxin Injections
If you've found that frown lines, forehead creases or other facial-expression lines are preventing you from looking as good as you feel, cosmetic denervation with botulinum toxin (Botox and Dysport) injections may be a good option for you. Botulinum toxin is a purified therapeutic agent that removes lines and creases in the upper part of the face by inactivating specific muscles that pull on the skin. It works to eliminate the face's dynamic wrinkles—those wrinkles that are caused not by aging or sun exposure, but by years of facial movement, such as laughing, smiling or frowning. Cosmetic injections are tailored to the unique contours of your face for maximum results and flexibility. Treatment in the affected areas causes the underlying muscles to relax, giving the skin a smoother, more refreshed appearance. Botulinum toxin can also lift eyebrows and make one's eyes appear more open. The result is that you look more relaxed, fresh, and youthful.
FDA-cleared brands of botulinum toxin that are available at Sima Clinic include Botox Cosmetic and Dysport. These products have EXACTLY the same active ingredient, botulinum toxin. They differ only in the proteins that surround that ingredient. All are very effective, although one may work better than the other for different individuals.
DYSPORT®: Dysport is so similar to Botox that it is referred to as Botox's twin or first cousin. This new wrinkle relaxer is approved to treat forehead wrinkles and frown lines in the U.S. Like Botox Cosmetic, Dysport is an injectable form of botulinum toxin Type A. Initial reports suggest that Dysport may act quicker. Botox takes two weeks to work, while Dysport seems to work within one week. In some cases, wrinkles begin to fade as soon as 24 hours after receiving Dysport treatment. This rapid response could be the deciding factor for a woman or man looking to improve their appearance before a big social event or meeting.
BOTOX® Cosmetic: Botox is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and is used to improve the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in people 18 to 65 years of age for a short period of time.
Is Neurotoxin Injection treatment right for me?
Neurotoxin Injection is most commonly used to treat adults 18 and older. However, patients of any age can benefit from treatment. You may be a good candidate for Botox or Dysport if you have any of the following conditions:
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Frown lines (vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows)
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Forehead creases (horizontal forehead lines)
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"Crow's feet" near the eyes
A personal consultation is the first step for new patients considering this type of treatment. During this meeting, we will assess your physical and emotional health and discuss your specific treatment goals. You should arrive at the consultation prepared to give complete information about:
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Past and present medical conditions (If you're a woman, we must know if you are pregnant or are nursing a child)
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Medical treatments or recent psychological counseling you may have received
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Medications that you take, including nutritional supplements and herbal remedies
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Any allergies you may have
During your physical evaluation, we will assess your bone structure, the texture and elasticity of your skin and the muscle activity of your upper face. We may explain additional procedures that can be performed in combination with Neurotoxin Injections to better meet your appearance goals.
How is a treatment performed?
Injections are quick and associated with very little pain. Often, patients remark that the ultra-thin needle that is used makes the injections far less uncomfortable than expected. The simple office procedure typically takes 10 minutes or less and the actual injections take only seconds. No anesthesia is required. However, if you are especially sensitive, we may elect to use a topical numbing cream. The number of injections you'll need depends on the areas that are affected. For forehead, you can probably expect about 8-12 injections; for frown lines between the eyebrows, 5-7 injections; and for lines around the eyes, 2-3 injections for each eye. We target the hyper-kinetic muscles, that is, the over-active muscles that are responsible for movement and expression.
Are there other treatment options?
If the wrinkles on your face are mainly caused by sun damage or aging and are not concentrated to the upper third of your face, we may recommend a skin-resurfacing technique, such as chemical peel or dermabrasion, to shrink the wrinkles and create a smoother appearance.
How will I look and feel right after the injections?
Though it is unusual, you may experience some mild discomfort, bruising and/or swelling at the injection site. If any of these side effects becomes bothersome, we may give you medication or suggest that you apply ice to the affected area. You may return to work or your normal daily activity immediately after the treatment. However, for the first 3 to 5 hours after the injections, you'll be advised to avoid bending or straining. Exercise or facial massage may spread the medication to an area where it is not needed. The goal is for the toxin to be taken into the muscle at the place where it was injected. After a few hours have passed, you may resume any activity or exercise.
What should I know about my results?
The effect may take several hours or even several days to develop. The duration of the results may vary. However, in general, you can expect your results to last for three to five months. If you find that your treatment did not produce the look that you had hoped for, we may recommend a repeat treatment. Patients are typically quite pleased with the results of this quick outpatient procedure. Most are surprised at how simple it is to maintain the results with regular treatments.
How long before I need repeat treatment?
To maintain your softer, more relaxed appearance, you will need to see us every 3-6 months for repeat treatments. You may find that as the muscles gradually weaken from lack of use, your repeat treatments will become less frequent. However, it's important to be aware that if you discontinue your treatments altogether, the botulinum toxin will leave your body entirely and your appearance will return to its earlier state. At your return visits, we will assess your results, modify your treatments if needed and address any questions or concerns you may have.
Testimonials
"Sima Medical & Cosmetic Clinic is by far the best clinic I have ever been to. Both the Woodinville and Madison Park locations are attractive, clean, and the staff are very pleasant. I've had a few different procedures done with them and they're terrific! They do a great job of explaining how a process works, what results I can expect, and when. The clinic is the ONLY place I will ever go to for continued botox and other treatments!"
"I have had Botox here twice and I absolutely love this special little gem in Woodinville. Sima was so gentle with the needle I did not flinch at all. This is huge in my book I hate, yes I know they are super small needles, but I hate shots of any kind. Sima is very confident in what she does in a very good way. I knew I was in very capable hands. I think she said 25 years! I took my daughter age 11 to Sima this week for a derm appointment. She was very helpful in explaining to my daughter the importance of good skin care and SPF. She was a hit with my daughter too."
"My face felt like old cowboy boots after a cold, wet, Seattle day. My body felt as stiff as that dried up gum stuck under an old classroom table. Yeah, you know the stuff I’m talking about. These symptoms could only be described as post vacation blues and jet lag to boot. Having stepped off a 24 flying adventure from Thailand, what’s a girl to do other than wallow in the misery of having returned to Seattle from a magical vacation? Go on a spa-cation! My little hidden neighborhood gem, Sima Clinic is just what the doctor ordered. That provider is Sima and her focus at the clinic is anti-aging, dermatology and wellness. Specializing in medical wellness including cancer screenings, microdermabrasion, and fotofacials, Sima gets your face and body out of the gutter and into the limelight. Sima will get you pumped and ready to go with all kinds of little killer fillers including every woman’s little secret, Botox. So take your cute little mug and get it and make it smile smile smile. Did someone say Botox party? "
"I have been to Sima Medical & Cosmetic for Botox and a chemical peel. They do such a good job that my mom is now seeing them as well. Customer service is fantastic and they do a great job of communicating any questions you may have about treatment. I'm hooked!"
"Sima was wonderful, very gentle and she provided a lot of much needed information on Botox to a first time user such as myself. No pain involved at all and the result are FANTASTIC."
"Sima was great. I had Botox and can already tell that the results are superior to the two previous times I've had Botox elsewhere."
"Not the most expensive and not the least expensive of cosmetic centers but am very satisfied so far with results. Have done filler and Botox. Just tried bikini laser and love it. Feel Sima has been straight forward and not tried to push a sale. Office is professional and comfortable. Staff is great (Woodinville is only office visited)."