
Jun
Neurotoxins have become a staple of aesthetic practices near us in Norwalk, Connecticut, and much farther afield. These injectable treatments are most famously known by the brand name Botox® Cosmetic. While Botox® is ubiquitous, the results you get from this procedure very much depend on the skill and the experience of the person administering it. At Kirwan Plastic Surgery, our patients from around the globe also have peace of mind that their injections will be applied safely. After all, our practice is led by one of the world’s top plastic surgeons, Dr. Laurence Kirwan. Benefit from his exacting quality and safety standards, and learn more about Botox’s ever-growing applications in the following four key points.
When Botox® was first approved for cosmetic use by the FDA in 2002, it was indicated for the correction of moderate to severe glabellar lines. The glabella refers to the tissues between the eyebrows above the bridge of the nose. These vertical lines are often referred to as “frown lines” because they are associated with certain expressions such as frowning, worrying, and heavy concentration. By relaxing the specific muscles responsible for these expression lines, Botox® softens them and smooths the appearance of the skin between the brows and on the forehead. You no longer look “chronically” upset, angry, or tired!
Likewise, certain expressions are associated with those wispy lines that extend outward from the eyes. The effects of repeatedly squinting, smiling, and other expressions involving the orbicularis oculi and other facial muscles can produce these signs of aging. In youthful, highly elastic skin, crow’s feet are only noticeable when squinting your eyes or otherwise expressing yourself with your face. As the skin’s elastin, collagen, and other structural components are eroded with time, these formerly dynamic lines become static and a permanent feature of your face. Here, too, Botox® can be applied precisely to just the right muscles and at just the right dose to smooth crow’s feet and restore the appearance of the eyes. This can be quite transformative, as your eyes are such a central and hard-to-miss facial feature.
Botox crows feet
Botox® is not just appropriate for the vertical lines between the brows on the forehead. It is also indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe forehead lines. These horizontal lines can cover the forehead and become quite prominent without treatment. By relaxing the frontalis muscles, Botox® Cosmetic smooths out the skin in this area. So, you can get back to wearing any hairstyle you like – without having to hide your forehead behind heavy bangs or fringes!
Botox® Cosmetic is not just for the treatment of expression lines in the upper portion of the face. It has also been approved for the treatment of moderate to severe platysma bands on the neck. These thick bands run vertically from underneath the chin to the collarbone. They can detract from a seamless and balanced definition and contours and contribute to the appearance of a “turkey neck” or double chin. By treating the platysma muscle, we can lift the lower portion of the face and neck with Botox® just as we do with the upper portion of the face.
Of course, with our tremendous expertise and onsite capabilities, Kirwan Plastic Surgery can use Botox® in all sorts of ways beyond the applications mentioned here. It may also be injected to lift the corners of the mouth non-surgically, improve the appearance of a deflated upper lip, elevate the nasal tip, soften “bunny lines” on the bridge of the nose, slim a heavy jawline, and more. To find out how Botox® Cosmetic can lift your appearance and confidence, request a consultation by calling our Norwalk, CT center at (475) 250-1581 today.
Dr. Laurence Kirwan, MD, FRCS, FACS, is an internationally renowned, board-certified plastic surgeon with over 30 years of experience. He trained at Manchester University and completed his Plastic Surgery residency at the University of Missouri. A Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and American College of Surgeons, he is a leader in aesthetic surgery, specializing in face, breast, and body procedures. Dr. Kirwan has authored multiple scientific papers and books and served as an instructor in prestigious programs. Recognized by Tatler and Russian Vogue, he practices in Connecticut, where he continues to offer personalized, top-tier care to his patients.