For years, the most popular cosmetic treatment in the world has been BOTOX® and similar wrinkle-relaxing injectables. Professional studies and surveys reveal that millions of treatments happen around the United States each year, with patients seeking a smoother-looking face in order to appear refreshed, rested, and more youthful. At Dermatology Group of Arkansas, BOTOX® remains a highly popular choice—though many patients come in having heard of the treatment, but wondering what it can actually do.
There are many uses for BOTOX®, but the treatment has three specific cosmetic approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Here’s a closer look at those wrinkles.
Frown Lines
The technical term for these wrinkles is “glabellar lines.” They’re named for the glabella, which is the area of the forehead between and above the eyebrows. When you knit your eyebrows together, the glabella moves along with them. Over time, this repetitive motion can cause small lines to appear. These lines most commonly develop as two short, vertical creases. In addition to the nickname frown lines, they are also called “11s.”
Forehead Lines
Raising and lowering your eyebrows, whether because you are making a facial expression or squinting, also moves the skin above on your forehead. As with the glabella, the constant motion that plays out over years and decades can gradually cause creases to form. These horizontal forehead lines, often referred to as furrows, can run almost from temple to temple, becoming deeper over time.
Crow’s Feet
Squinting and smiling alike contribute to the formation of crow’s feet, which may resemble thin bird claws to some people, but most often appear as fine lines the radiate toward the temples from the outer corners of the eye. Technically known as lateral canthal lines, these wrinkles are also happily known as smile lines due to the expression related to their appearance. Having crow’s feet may be considered a sign of a life well lived—since it’s filled with so much smiling—but many people want to smooth them out all the same in order to achieve a more youthful appearance.
BOTOX® can be applied to more areas than just these three. Using the injectable for a cosmetic treatment apart from frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet is known as an “off-label” use. These are commonly performed around the country, with experienced injectors providing treatments to relax bunny lines next to the nose, provide a slimmer-looking jawline, and more.
Ready to learn about what BOTOX® could do for you? Reach out to the injectors at Dermatology Group of Arkansas by sending a message online or calling 501.227.8422.