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The wrinkles and lines that appear between the eyes are usually classified into two types: glabellar lines and frown lines. Both of them are caused by natural aging and different lifestyle factors. Fortunately, getting rid of these facial problems are now easier with the different available cosmetic surgery options such as dermal filler and Botox.
So how does Botox reduce the presence of facial wrinkles and fine lines between the eyes? Botox injections contain a neurotoxin that relaxes the contracted facial muscles between the eyebrows and lifts the forehead skin to soften these problems. This cosmetic procedure is also known commercially as Botox brow lift.
People tend to scrunch up their brows whenever they express happiness, surprise, sadness, and laughter. Doing a facial expression contracts the forehead muscle to stimulate brow elevation when showing different reactions. When there is excessive muscle movement, dynamic wrinkles on the forehead and between the eyebrows start to show.
Botox cosmetic injection is a treatment that is approved by FDA for correction of most horizontal forehead wrinkles, Crow’s feet, and frown lines that form between the eyes. It mainly contains botulinum toxin, a neurotoxic protein, which blocks nerves from sending signals to muscles. When injected into the area on the forehead and between brows, muscle activity is limited and the skin gradually restores its smooth appearance.
To better understand what types of facial problems are treated by Botox, it’s important to differentiate the two kinds of facial lines that are usually mistaken to refer to the same condition. Glabellar lines and frown lines appear in the same area in the face but their characteristics are greatly distinct from one another.
Glabellar lines are best described as horizontal lines that appear on the skin on the forehead (also known as glabella). They are also referred to as forehead furrows, and they are usually visible between the eyebrows just above the nose. There are cases when furrow lines lead to lowered lid, in which case an eye surgery may be needed to fix it.
On the other hand, frown lines or worry lines present as deep, vertical creases that form between the eyes and directly adjacent to the brows. They may extend to the sides of the nose and right above the eyebrows.
Botox for glabellar lines are usually injected into the forehead muscles between the eyes. An experienced injector will skillfully inject the botulinum toxin above the outer area of the brows to avoid risks of brow ptosis (sagging of the brow area). Meanwhile, frown lines are treated by injecting the Botox at the corrugator supercilii and procerus muscle (both of which are responsible for eyebrow movement).
Most of the symptoms of aging are commonly visible in the area surrounding the eyes. This is because the skin around the eyes is very thin. It is easily susceptible to various damage that can be brought not only by natural loss of collagen and elastin but also by different environmental factors like pollution and sun exposure.
Patients may also inquire for use of Botox injections for treatment of other types of wrinkles and lines including:
Similar to frown lines, Crow’s feet is a type of dynamic wrinkle that forms from facial expressions such as laughing or smiling. These lateral canthal lines develop near the outside corners of the eyes. They are also referred to as smile lines and they are more prominent among older people since their skin is more prone to sagging or wrinkling.
When treating Crow’s feet with Botox, the injection sites are usually around the corners of each eye. It will weaken the muscles surrounding the area to restrict contractions and allow the skin to smoothen out. Topical eye creams and anti-aging serums with tretinoin as the main active ingredient may also enhance the appearance of Crow’s feet. Chemical peels are also an effective alternative to restore the skin’s healthy look.
Here is Everything You Need To Know About Getting Botox for Crows Feet.
The appearance of excess skin that hangs on the brow bone to the upper lid is known as hooded eyes. This happens naturally as the skin loses its firmness and elasticity, causing the brows to droop downward. There are also individuals who are born with their eye skin extending on the folds of the upper lid. As they age, this becomes more obvious as the outer brow lowers and results in eyelid droop and sagging skin around the eye area.
People with hooded eyes may look distinctly tired or exhausted. Botox brow lifts can help improve the hooded eye appearance by injecting the toxin between the eyebrows and outside of the eyes. This weakens the depressor supercilii muscle which causes the drooping brows. Botox injections can give brow elevation of at least 4 mm to 6 mm to make the eyes pop and look more wide.
Learn more: Can Botox help treat hooded eyes?
Bunny lines are vertical lines that extend from the inside of the eyes to the sides of the nose bridge. They are more noticeable when people laugh, squint, or crinkle their noses as a reaction. It is another type of facial wrinkle caused by repeated facial expressions.
Botox may also be used to address these lines that appear on the nose. The cosmetic treatment of bunny lines is usually a simple procedure that involves injecting the botulinum toxin beneath the skin around the sides of the nose.
The first step to getting cosmetic injections for the eyes is to find an experienced plastic surgeon or Botox injector. The area around the eyes is very sensitive and it’s important to seek help from trained aestheticians to minimize risks of Botox mistakes.
You will undergo a consultation stage where you will be asked about personal cosmetic goals so the attending physician can create a customized treatment plan that fits your needs. They will also examine your skin to determine the severity of wrinkling and decide how many Botox unit you will need. Likewise, they will ask about your medical history, if you have past or current health conditions, and if you are taking medications that may work against the Botox injection.
Most doctors will suggest stopping blood thinner drugs before Botox injections since they can increase chances of bruising and swelling after the treatment. If you are using any eye creams (especially those with tretinoin or Retin A as active ingredient) as part of your skincare regimen, you will be advised to stop using them for a while to avoid skin irritation and compromising the results of Botox.
Botox has been proven safe and effective for both cosmetic and medical uses. But as with all procedures that involve intramuscular injections, there are common side effects that may show around the injection site such as numbness, redness, tenderness, bruising, and swelling. However, most of these effects usually go away on their own after a few days or weeks.
Severe side effects of Botox can only happen when the injection is done poorly or when the treatment is used in higher doses for long term. Some of the serious side effects include heaviness and muscle weakness around the eye area, droopy eyelid, allergic reactions, and dry and irritated eyes. Immediate medical care is required at the first instance that these symptoms are experienced since they can cause visual disturbances in the long run.
Learn more: Managing Botox Side Effects for the Eyes
A Botox procedure for eye problems is usually quick and clients can expect to be out of the clinic within a few minutes. However, the time it takes for results to show may vary from each client depending on how the body absorbs and reacts to the toxin injected.
Usually, the muscles will need three to five days to completely be relaxed and start reducing the appearance of face wrinkles. Depending on the severity of the problem, full results will be visible within two weeks after the treatment. For treating lines and wrinkles between the eyes, the effectiveness is also dependent on how many units are received by the client:
Results of Botox cosmetic treatment for eyes can last up to 6 months. Follow-up injections may be done to maintain the effects of Botox and help prevent the appearance of wrinkling. In addition, aftercare is an important part of ensuring that you get the best possible Botox outcome.
For 24 to 48 hours after the injection, you should avoid touching the treated area to minimize the risk of spreading the toxin to other parts of the face. Ice packs can also help in mitigating swelling and tenderness in the injection site. Arnica gels also reduce bruising and inflammation and boost skin’s healing and recovery.
Afterwards, you can continue with your skincare routine of applying moisturiser and eye creams to keep the skin hydrated. Beauty products with hyaluronic acid and retinol can boost the effects of Botox and enhance the skin’s smooth and wrinkle-free look. It’s also recommended to invest in sunscreen products to protect the face from further damage by UV rays.
When it comes to forehead wrinkle and lines between the eyes, Botox is the preferred nonsurgical option to solve these problems. It’s a quick procedure that restores the eyes’ natural glowing look and unwrinkled appearance.
For first time Botox clients, let our experts at Evolve Med Spa give you the right treatment for your facial concerns and anti-wrinkle needs. Get the best cosmetic experience under the hands of our trained staff who will help meet your aesthetic goals and bring out your natural beauty. Contact us now to know more about our cosmetic products and services.
