Men are increasingly turning to BOTOX® in Albuquerque and elsewhere—a trend noted by Western Dermatology Consultants and national organizations alike.
Across the United States, men are realizing that anti-aging treatments are not simply for women. A man’s popularity with a potential partner – not to mention his chances in the job market – can be boosted by the results from treatments with BOTOX®. Albuquerque practice Western Dermatology Consultants is looking to educate men on how this treatment — increasingly sought after by their cohorts – can smooth out their lines and wrinkles.
Per national statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the number of men receiving what is frequently referred to as “brotox” has been going up since 2000. As of 2015, injections of botulinum toxin type A (the active ingredient in Allergan’s BOTOX®) has become the most common cosmetic procedure among men.
BOTOX® is made from a purified protein and is administered via injection to the upper parts of the face. The injectable can smooth away moderate-to-severe wrinkles on the forehead (frown lines), between the eyebrows (commonly known as “11 lines” or “devil’s horns”), and near the outer corners of the eyes (crow’s feet).
The facial wrinkles referred to above belong to a family of “dynamic” wrinkles – these are lines that develop and set in over time due to the repetitive contractions of facial muscles. When injected into these muscles, BOTOX® can relax and gradually weaken them to temporarily stop them from contracting, preventing them from forming the associated wrinkles. Untreated facial muscles will still work as they should, and patients are still able to freely make facial expressions to convey their emotions.
The FDA first approved BOTOX® in 2002 to improve the appearance of glabellar lines (frown lines on the forehead and between the eyebrows), and again in 2013 to treat crow’s feet. The injectable can safely be used on suitable patients above the age of 18.
A standard BOTOX® consultation normally includes an assessment or analysis of the upper face to determine the best course of treatment for the patient’s concerns. Once deemed appropriate, BOTOX® will be injected into the required muscles. Note that the injections for all chosen areas of the face can be administered during the same session. One session can take as little as 10 minutes, giving BOTOX® the reputation for being a “lunchtime” procedure that may appeal to busy men with packed schedules. Many patients at Western Dermatology Consultants have said that the injection can feel like a small pinch.
Unless the injector recommends any specific instructions for aftercare, most patients can continue to go about the rest of their day. Results from BOTOX® can appear within 24 to 48 hours after a session.
Dysport® is another brand of injectable that uses botulinum toxin type A, and works very similarly to BOTOX®. It is also a quick, non-surgical treatment that smooths out wrinkles on the upper face, and can be administered in-office. Dysport® spreads farther from the injection site, making it well-suited to larger treatment areas. Repeat treatments are safe, and the results may be comparable to those after the first treatment.
While BOTOX® and Dysport® can provide near-immediate and very natural-looking results with minimal downtime, the benefits are not permanent, lasting up to four months.
Soft tissue/dermal fillers, such as the Juvederm® and Restylane® products, can also treat wrinkles, and the results can last longer (depending on the filler). Soft tissue fillers are the most common procedures — after BOTOX® — that are requested by men. They also work differently, in that while BOTOX® relaxes contracting facial muscles, fillers physically fill in wrinkles from beneath the surface of the skin. The active ingredients in dermal fillers are also different – common ones include collagen, fat, and hyaluronic acid.
