The delicate skin around the eyes is usually where the first signs of aging show up. Many younger patients are eager to smooth away crow’s feet while they are still a minor issue, and as crow’s feet deepen over the years, they can become even more of a concern. Xeomin, an injectable treatment that’s similar to Botox, can help you address crow’s feet and other fine facial lines. It’s one of the many aesthetic treatments offered at Dr. Park Avenue in Franklin Lakes, NJ.
What Causes Those Lines Around the Eyes?
Several factors contribute to crow’s feet, which often start showing up in our thirties. As collagen levels in the body begin to decline, the skin becomes less elastic. Sun damage and hormonal changes also take their toll, leaving the skin vulnerable to the wear and tear caused by repetitive facial movements.
Blinking, smiling, squinting, and even laughing cause our facial muscles to contract and crinkle almost constantly, and all of that activity eventually leads to fine lines. Because the skin around the eyes is thin and delicate, it’s especially prone to these early signs of wear.
Can I Prevent Them?
We can’t stop blinking or smiling, but there are steps you can take to protect the area around your eyes. Wearing moisturizers with sunscreen and using a good quality eye cream can protect the skin around the eye and bolster its ability to keep bouncing back.
Drinking plenty of water so that the skin stays strong and hydrated, is also a good preventative step. And being diligent about keeping up a skincare routine that involves exfoliating, cleansing, and moisturizing can help your facial skin stay healthy. But it’s hard to completely ward off crow’s feet because they’re a natural part of the body’s aging process.
How Xeomin Works
Xeomin is part of a class of injectable treatments called neuromodulators. These treatments work by injecting botulinum toxin type A, which blocks nerve activity, into the area of concern. Once it takes effect, this injectable prevents the targeted facial muscles from fully contracting, which means they can’t cause those frustrating lines and wrinkles. As a result, fine lines and wrinkles become smoother and less visible, and the face takes on a more relaxed and refreshed appearance.
Does It Really Work on Crow’s Feet?
This injectable can be used to address crow’s feet and other facial lines, including fine lines on the upper lip and bunny lines on the nose. This treatment also works especially well on the frown lines that appear on the forehead between the eyebrows. These are the lines that are sometimes referred to as the “11” lines.
Is It Any Different Than Botox?
This is very similar to Botox, another injectable neuromodulator. In fact, the two treatments offer similar results and can be used to treat the same types of facial lines. The primary difference between the two lies in their formulation. Xeomin has just one ingredient: botulinum toxin A. Botox, on the other hand, contains additives and proteins as well as botulinum toxin A.
The pure nature of Xeomin means that patients are less likely to have an allergic reaction to it. It also means that repeat patients will be less likely to develop a resistance to it over time. Xeomin’s single-ingredient formulation also means that it does not have to be refrigerated before it is administered, but that difference affects medical practices more than patients.
How Long Will It Last?
You’ll begin to see results 3 to 5 days after your treatment, and the final results should be apparent within 10 days. The results of this treatment usually last anywhere from 3 to 6 months. You can schedule a repeat injection once the first one has worn off.
Will It Make Me Look Plastic?
Botulinum injections have evolved a great deal over the last two decades. During their early years, these injections aggressively froze the temple area to get rid of all signs of crow’s feet. Over the years, a more nuanced approach to these treatments has developed so that patients see noticeable improvement of lines in the temple area without having a frozen, expressionless look.
Is It Safe?
This FDA-approved treatment has been safely and effectively used on patients all over the nation, and the world, for years.
Will It Take Care of My Crow’s Feet by Itself?
This treatment can effectively smooth over your crow’s feet all by itself. But for some patients, resolving those crow’s feet doesn’t fully achieve their cosmetic goals. Patients who are also concerned about sagging skin or a loss of volume, which can leave the face looking hollowed, have gotten nice results by combining botulinum injections with dermal fillers.
Dermal fillers like Juvederm and Radiesse can plump the face and restore its youthful contours. So while this injectable treatment will take care of your crow’s feet on your own, you may also supplement with dermal fillers to fully achieve your aesthetic goals.
What Is Treatment Like?
The first step is to schedule a consultation with our practice where we’ll review your medical history and any medications you are currently taking. We’ll also talk with you during this appointment about your skin and your cosmetic goals.
We’ll use this time to determine whether a botulinum injection is the right treatment for your crow’s feet. We can also talk about any other services you are considering and begin to develop a customized treatment plan to address all of your cosmetic concerns. The next step will be to schedule your appointment.
The Day of Your Treatment
We’ll start your treatment by cleansing the targeted area and making a few marks that will serve as guides during your injections. Depending on the scope of your treatment area and concerns, we may make two, three, or even five injections. Each is made with a tiny needle and takes just a moment.
You’ll be surprised at how easy the process is. Patients say it feels like a series of quick pinpricks, and the entire treatment is over before they know it. We may apply a little ice and pressure to calm the treatment area down afterward.
After Treatment
After your appointment, you’ll be able to reapply your make up and get right back to your regular schedule. The only thing we ask of patients is that they refrain from massaging or manipulating the treatment area right after their appointment. Most treatments take less than an hour and can be done on your lunch break.
Who Will Oversee My Treatment?
Your treatment will be overseen by Dr. Paul Fondacaro. Dr. Fondacaro earned his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine and completed his residency in surgery at SUNY Downstate. He worked as an attending surgeon at Long Island College Hospital and served as assistant director of surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan before establishing his own practice and focusing on cosmetic surgery and services.
Am I a Candidate?
Botulinum injections are very accessible treatments that can be effective for a wide range of patients. Men and women who are concerned about crow’s feet and other fine lines and wrinkles can be considered for this treatment. There are several signs you may be an especially good candidate.
You’re Skin Is in Good Shape
This treatment works well on all skin types and tones, but it’s best if the skin is healthy. If the treatment area is irritated or swollen for any reason, we may recommend postponing your session. Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding will need to consult with their doctor before proceeding with this treatment.
You Want a Convenient, Non-Invasive Treatment
Patients who want to address crow’s feet and other signs of aging have an increasing number of treatment options available to them. One of the appealing aspects of a botulinum injection is that it is a convenient, non-invasive treatment.
Injections can be administered in our practice in less than an hour with no downtime and no extensive after-care requirements. If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and effective treatment and don’t want the hassles associated with a more invasive procedure, botulinum injections are a nice option.
Botox Isn’t As Effective for You As It Once Was
Some patients who have been using Botox for years find that injectable gradually starts to become less effective. When that happens, it’s usually because the patient has started to build up resistance to Botox. For those patients, Xeomin becomes a particularly good option. The fact that this treatment is comprised of just a single ingredient means that patients are less likely to develop a resistance to it.
You’re Realistic About the Treatment
Botulinum injections are highly effective, but the results are more subtle than cosmetic surgery. The ideal patient understands and is comfortable with the treatment and the expected outcome.
How Else Can This Treatment Be Used?
Some patients initially seek out this treatment for crow’s feet, one of the earliest signs that the face is aging, and then begin using it to treat other lines as they develop as well. Here are other ways patients use this treatment:
Dynamic Wrinkles
Besides crow’s feet, this injectable can be used to address dynamic wrinkles all over the face and neck. Dynamic lines and wrinkles are the ones that form as a result of laughing, squinting, blinking, and other facial movements. The other type of lines that show up on the face are static wrinkles. Static wrinkles, which are tied to sun exposure and aging, require other forms of treatment.
Prevention
Younger patients who are just starting to notice crow’s feet and other signs of aging are increasingly seeking out these injections and turning to them for preventative use. By starting regular use of botulinum injections in their twenties and thirties, these patients are hoping to smooth over early crow’s feet and lines and keep the aging process at bay.
Other Cosmetic Needs
Botulinum injections are known as powerful wrinkle-fighters, but they can be used to help with other cosmetic issues as well. They have been used perk up the corners of a naturally droopy smile. These injections can also be used to help gummy smiles, or smiles that review more of the gum line than a patient wants.
Medical Needs
The muscle-relaxing capabilities of botulinum injections were initially used to treat other medical needs. Eyelid spasms and uncontrolled drooling are among the medical needs that these types of injections are still used to address.
It’s Time to Try Xeomin
Whether you’re just starting to notice the first signs of crow’s feet or you’ve been struggling with them for years, our practice can help you achieve the refreshed, rejuvenated look you’ve been hoping for. Botulinum injections are safe, effective, and can give you a naturally younger look. Call Dr. Park Avenue in Franklin Lakes, NJ, and schedule a Xeomin consultation.
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