Dr. Saber’s Blog
Botox is the brand name for Onobotulinumtoxin A, a neurotoxin derived from the bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. But Botox isn’t the only botulinum toxin brand. Currently, there are multiple FDA-approved botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) brands for cosmetic facial wrinkles including Xeomin, Dysport, Jeuveau, and most recently Daxxify (2022).
A skilled injector can use Botox to treat wrinkles caused by repeated muscle movement. The toxin temporarily freezes the muscle at the injection site — allowing it to relax and smooth out the wrinkles
In the 1970s, scientists used botulinum toxin to treat strabismus (crossed eyes). After this treatment proved successful, Allergan was the first company to license the treatment and brand it Botox.
Since then, there have been multiple FDA approvals of botulinum toxin for a variety of medical conditions:
Dermatologists and plastic surgeons use Botox Cosmetic to treat facial wrinkles such as forehead lines, frown lines, and crow’s feet.
The number of botox units will vary from person to person and will depend on multiple factors including:
Botox treatments are minimally-invasive cures for fine lines and wrinkles, without the side effects or risks of plastic surgery. The most popular areas for treatment on the face are the glabella (frown lines), forehead, crow’s feet (around the eyes), and neck.
All units are estimates and the right amount will be determined during a consultation with Dr. Saber, where individual needs and aesthetic goals will be discussed.
Frown lines are also referred to as “elevens” and glabellar lines. These vertical lines are found between the eyebrows and are caused by habitual facial expressions where the forehead muscles squeeze inward, i.e. furrowing the brow. Treatment of frown lines is the most common cosmetic use of Botox.
The amount of Botox used in this area can range from 10-25 units.
Crow’s feet (also called periorbital lines or lateral canthal lines) are wrinkles that branch out from the outer corners of the eyes while smiling or squinting.
Crow’s feet are the second most frequent cosmetic use of Botox. The results here are excellent. The amount of Botox used in this area can range from 4-20 units.
The large facial muscle that overlies the forehead is called the frontalis muscle. When the frontalis muscle contracts, the brow raises and horizontal lines form. During the aging process when collagen and elasticity in the skin diminish, the horizontal lines remain. Botox injections smooth these forehead wrinkles.
The number of Botox units in multiple injection sites can range from 10-30.
Horizontal neck wrinkles and fine lines are caused by the platysma (neck muscle). It rises from the chest up to the sides of the neck, to the lower face covering the jawline.
When the skin around the platysma loses laxity and volume, the muscle becomes prominent in the form of neck (platysmal) bands. When younger, the bands only appear when the muscle contracts. As we age, the bands become noticeable even when the muscle is relaxed.
The platysma also pulls down the skin of the face and creates the appearance of sagging skin, also known as jowls. This is due to years of active muscle movement in this area.
Botox targets the platysma, resulting in a smoother and tighter-looking neck. Botox in this region also improves the skin along the jawline for a tighter, more contoured look.
The amount of Botox used in this area can range from 25-50 units.
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Bunny lines are tiny creases right below the ridge of the nose, often referred to as nose wrinkles. They appear more pronounced when smiling or laughing but are not normally visible when the facial muscles are at rest.
These creases or wrinkles deepen due to aging. Botox injections on each side of the nose smooth the wrinkles. The amount of Botox in this area can range from 5-10 units.
Pebble chin is also known as orange peel chin due to the bumpy and uneven texture of the skin in the area. The dimpling and wrinkling are caused by an overactive mentalis (chin) muscle.
This condition is easily treated with Botox injections which relax the chin muscle. This is considered an off-label use (not approved by the FDA). The amount of Botox in this area can range from 4-10 units.
A Botox brow lift treats frown lines between the brows AND elevates the height of the eyebrows. Botox injections work by relaxing the underlying muscle between the brows to smooth the skin. This allows forehead muscles to pull up the now-relaxed muscles between the brows, elevating the brows and opening the eyes.
A typical treatment would be 15-30 Botox units.
When the corners of the mouth turn down due to aging, a person can appear older. Botox relaxes the depressor anguli oris muscle, responsible for the downturn allowing for a more relaxed expression.
Botox smooths the facial folds and lifts the corners of the mouth. The number of units in this area can range from four to five units per side.
Laugh lines or smile lines appear as folds in the skin on both sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth. When younger, the folds appear only when smiling or laughing, then disappear as the face relaxes. Over time, the lines become deep, permanent wrinkles and are present whether smiling or not.
The amount of Botox used in this area ranges from 5-10 units per side.
The doctor-recommended cosmetic treatment for loss of volume and fullness in the face is dermal fillers.
Pricing for Botox treatment depends on:
In general, the Botox average cost per unit is $19 to $25 in large cities, and as low as $10 a unit in smaller cities.
If this is the first-time considering Botox injections, a treatment plan will be implemented based on individual needs and the most effective course of action. A personal consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon can help clarify your skin care needs, treatment areas, and treatment options.
Dr. Sepideh Saber is a board-certified plastic surgeon providing cosmetic procedures and surgeries from a more sensitive, female perspective for patients of all ages, genders, and orientations. She ensures that all questions are answered so that each patient can make a truly well-informed decision.
Keeping her patients safe remains her top priority. She employs the latest state-of-the-art techniques and performs her procedures in the top surgical centers and hospitals, where she enjoys full admitting privileges.
Dr. Saber takes her patients’ safety very seriously. Her facility’s Covid-19 patient safety procedures exceed all CDC and World Health Organization recommendations. Masks are always required in our office during the coronavirus pandemic.
Dr. Saber is located in Encino, CA for patients throughout the Los Angeles area. We are also convenient to Encino, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, Calabasas, Burbank, Glendale, Hidden Hills, Agoura Hills, Northridge, North Hollywood, Malibu, Topanga, Canoga Park, Reseda, Valley Glen, Chatsworth, West Hills, Winnetka, Universal City, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Downtown Los Angeles, Silverlake, and Echo Park.
To request a consultation, please call (877) 205-4100 or schedule a consultation online.