BOTOX® Injections
Botox Injections for Smile Lines, Eyes & Wrinkles
Powerful yet natural-looking results that leave you looking refreshed rather than redesigned.
What is botox?
Every facial expression – whether it’s a smile, frown, squint, or grimace – involves muscle contraction which can build up to cause permanent lines or wrinkles in the skin.
Botox is a prescription injection that smooths existing wrinkles and helps prevent future wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing muscles that cause wrinkles to develop. It’s become one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedures performed in the U.S.
What does botox help address?
Botox injections can be used to smooth a number of different types of lines or creases, including glabellar lines (aka frown lines or 11’s) that develop above the bridge of the nose and in between the eyebrows. It can also address horizontal creases that form on the forehead as well as the wrinkles that develop at the outer corner of each eye (aka crow’s feet). Dr. Purewal can also use these injections to address cobblestone-looking skin on the chin, the lines that form at the corners of the mouth (aka marionette lines), as well as to address the bands that develop on the neck.
Our team of expert injectors led by Fresh Face + Eye founder and Oculoplastics and Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr Baljeet Purewal, will take the time to determine and prescribe the ideal amount of botox for your desired results, including very natural-looking microbotox or baby botox treatments.
As we age, the amount of collagen our body produces decreases, causing skin to begin to lose its elasticity. This lack of elasticity can cause the formation of a permanent crease that is visible even when the muscle that lies beneath it is relaxed. Since the muscle is already relaxed, there is no need to paralyze the muscle, however, a treatment may help soften the wrinkle’s appearance.
We can also use carefully and precisely injected amounts of botox below the brow for a chemical browlift. This helps lift the brows and open up the eyes for a more youthful appearance.
Does botox help prevent wrinkles?
Botox can be used as a preventative treatment to avoid getting fine lines or wrinkles.
For some patients, this may be in their mid-twenties if lines they make during facial expressions remain after they are relaxed. An increasing number of patients in their mid-to-late twenties are choosing to seek botox treatment to help prevent wrinkle formation.
Factors such as lifestyle, genetics and skin color also can determine ideal time for intervention.
In general, when lines or wrinkles begin to bother you on a regular basis, it is a good time to consider botox treatments.
See our botox before and after pictures and videos here.
How long does it take to see the final results of my botox treatment?
Some results can usually be seen within 48 hours of the treatment.
After 5-10 days, the results become more noticeable.
These results will last from 4-6 months.
At the six-month mark, if you would like to maintain your results you will need to have another treatment.
Typically patients will have longer-lasting results for the first few treatments (6 months or longer) and then come back for touch-ups every 4-5 months.
Will botox make my face look frozen?
Not if it’s administered by an experienced surgeon who’ll take time to consider the right dose for your desired results.
At New Jersey’s Fresh Face + Eye, expert Injector and board-certified Oculoplastics and Reconstructive Surgeon Dr. Baljeet K. Purewal uses this nonsurgical, quick, and convenient facial rejuvenation treatment to help you look more refreshed.
‘Frozen face’ is the result of an injector who is not familiar with or improperly uses botox, which ends up highlighting any wrinkles or lines instead of concealing them.
What do I need to do to prepare for my botox injections?
We ask that you avoid alcoholic beverages for at least seven days before your injection treatment session. You will also need to discontinue taking certain types of medicine, including anti-inflammatory medications and aspirin. These medications need to be avoided for at least two weeks before your injection treatment session as both of these medications can cause excessive bruising.
Does botox get rid of wrinkles?
Botox can yield some impressive results, however it cannot actually remove wrinkles.
Instead, it works to temporarily disable the muscles located in the face and neck that cause these wrinkles to develop in the first place. This is accomplished by blocking the connection between the nerves and the muscles in the neck and the face. Due to this blockage, the nerves cannot tell the muscle to contract.
For moderate to severe crow’s feet: these lines develop from squinting, grimacing and smiling. While performing each of these actions, the muscles at the outer corners of each eye contract which lead to the formation of crow’s feet. During an injection treatment session to address crow’s feet, Dr. Purewal targets the orbicularis oculi muscle at the outer corner of each eye, temporarily paralyzing it to make the crow’s feet look smoother.
For moderate to severe frown lines: whenever we concentrate or frown, the corrugator supercilii muscle that is above the nose and in between the eyebrows contracts, which causes furrowing and folding of the skin in this area. Dr. Purewal injects the corrugator supercilii muscle with onabotulinumtoxin A to paralyze it, which helps these lines become smoother, thus, providing a temporary solution for this problem.
For moderate to severe lines on the forehead: whenever we raise our eyebrows, our frontalis muscles contract, which causes folding and furrowing of the skin in this area. Dr. Purewal injects botox into these muscles, to temporarily smooth the lines of the forehead.
What issues can botox not address?
Any wrinkles or creases that develop due to gravity and/or sun damage rather than muscle contraction will not respond to botox treatments.
Will botox still work if I keep using it?
The goal of botox injections is to use the smallest dosage that produces an optimal effect. This will allow the continued use of botox for years without any lessening of the effects.
Will I bruise from botox?
The needle used to inject botox is tiny and we take great care to avoid bruising. Ice packs are applied after treatment along with gentle pressure.
We recommend Arnika Forte before and after treatment if you have a tendency to bruise easily.
Is there anyone who botox may not be suitable for?
There are a few factors that might disqualify you from being a good candidate for botox cosmetic injections in New Jersey at Fresh Face + Eye.
These include if you:
- Are under 18 years of age.
- Have any type of neurological disease.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Are taking blood thinners.
- Have previously experienced an allergic reaction to BOTOX itself or any of its ingredients.
- Have had an allergic reaction to any of the other botulinum toxin products (e.g., Xeomin, Dysport or Myobloc).
- Are currently experiencing an infection, inflammation or cold sores at the planned injection sites.
Since botox will not work for every wrinkle, choosing an experienced expert injector is vital. An experienced injector like Dr. Purewal knows the structure of the face and the best location to inject onabotulinumtoxin A so you end up with youthful, natural-looking results.
What happens during my initial consultation for botox?
During the initial consultation at Fresh Face & Eye in Chatham, New Jersey, you will need to tell Dr. Purewal if you have any nerve or muscle conditions. Individuals who have Lou Gehrig’s disease, Lambert-Eaton syndrome or myasthenia gravis may be at an increased risk of experiencing serious side effects following their injection session. Serious side effects include difficulty breathing and swallowing. These side effects can result even when only a small dose of botulinum toxin type A is administered.
We also need to know about your medical conditions and if you’ve previously had or intend to have any surgical procedures on your face and/or neck.
You should also bring with you a list of your current medications, vitamins and herbal supplements, including the dose, frequency and the reason for the medication. We also ask that you let us know if you are experiencing problems lifting your eyebrows, have noticed abnormal facial changes and/or are experiencing droopy eyelids (that may or may not be affecting your vision).
Women who are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant should inform Dr. Purewal of this during the consultation because it is unknown whether these botox injections can cause harm to an unborn baby. Because of this, we also request you advise us if you are currently or planning to breastfeed.
Are botox injections safe?
Yes. Originally approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat eye and muscle spasms, Botox was soon discovered to offer significant benefits for cosmetic-related issues too. It’s now also approved for use in strategically placed injections to assist in smoothing wrinkles and creases on the face and neck.
Botox has become synonymous with botulinum toxin type A, but botox is a specific brand name for a specific product that has been highly refined and widely tested. Botulinum toxin is delivered as a freeze dried powder in a glass jar. It has to be diluted before it can be used.
While we use botox as an umbrella term, there are actually a few different commercial versions including:
- Botox (onabotulinumtoxin A).
- Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxin A).
- Dysport (abobotulinumtoxin A).
- Jeuveau (prabotulinumtoxin A).
Are your patients satisfied with their botox results?
Priding ourselves on our natural-looking results that leave you looking refreshed rather than redesigned, our patients are very happy with their results. However it’s important to remember this is not a facelift; there are limitations to what botox can achieve.
Understanding the limitations of each treatment helps you make decisions about which procedure(s) will provide you with your desired results.
Do you offer combination treatment sessions with botox?
Yes. Many patients at Fresh Face + Eye decide to have several procedures during a single injection treatment session.
The most common include:
- Dermal fillers.
- Photofacials
By combining botox injections, dermal fillers and photofacials, our patients enjoy a more youthful-looking and rejuvenated appearance.
Can you reverse the results achieved with botox?
Once injected, the results achieved with botox injections cannot be reversed, however they do wear off with time.
Are there any side effects associated with botox injections?
Generally, people tolerate these injections well and side effects are rare. The most common side effect is temporary bruising. Some patients also experience a stinging sensation around the injection sites as well as flushed-looking skin in the injection areas.
While rare, some patients do develop a headache that lasts from 24 to 48 hours. A very small number of patients may develop an eyelid droop, but this typically resolves itself within three weeks’ time.
The eyelid drooping occurs when some of the injected product moves away from its intended location. To help prevent this complication, you must avoid rubbing and touching your treated areas for at least 12 hours following their injection session. Lying down too soon after the session can also result in product migration.
Other side effects, although typically mold and short-lived, include:
- An upset stomach.
- Flu-like symptoms.
- Fatigue
- Numbness
- Unwanted weakness or temporary paralysis of nearby muscles.
- Mild pain, bruising and/or inflammation around the injection sites.
- A general feeling of being unwell.
While rare, when a complication does occur it is temporary and mild. Any complications or side effects that do result will relate to a particular injection site. For instance, if injections are performed close to the eyes, the complication may affect the brow line and/or the eyelids.
Other complications that may occur include:
- Problems swallowing (when injections are administered into the neck muscles).
- Excessive muscle weakness around the eyes causing a droopy eyelid, which can obstruct the patient’s vision.
In addition, botox injections may interact with certain medications, including antibiotics. For this reason, you must bring a list of current medications to your initial consultation so you can quickly and easily inform Dr. Purewal of all the medications, vitamins and herbal supplements you take.
Does botox work on everyone?
Some patients who receive botox injections will develop antibodies to fight the toxin, making future treatments ineffective. There are also individuals who have a genetic predisposition to botox which can cause them to experience an unusual response to the drug.
If you are interested in trying botox injections, we advise you to make an appointment for an initial consultation at Fresh Face + Eye so our expert injectors can help determine if this type of treatment will provide you with the look and results you’re after.
How much does botox treatment in New Jersey at Fresh Face + Eye cost?
The cost of your botox treatment will depend on the amount needed to achieve your cosmetic goals. Send us an inquiry or arrange a consultation where this will be determined.
Will health insurance cover botox treatments?
When used for aesthetic reasons, health insurance will not cover botox injections. Dr. Purewal recommends you contact your health insurance company to ask about coverage.
Ready for a fresh approach to beauty? Fresh Face + Eye founder Dr. Purewal is an expert injector as well as a board-certified Oculoplastics and Reconstructive Surgeon for a worry-free and easy experience. To schedule an appointment or learn more about our botox treatments at Fresh Face + Eye please call (973) 635-4000 or use the online form by clicking here. Virtual consultations are also available.