If Botox were a person, it would be an Oscar nominee for best character development. After all, how often do you see the transition from the potent toxin that can kill, to a miracle treatment that can make you look 10 years younger. Now, it accounts for half of all minimally invasive cosmetic facial treatments (ASPS). Primarily known for its ability to make people look younger by smoothing wrinkles, it’s a procedure that millions choose to get every year.
Botox sites should be strategically chosen in order to get the best results. By relaxing the muscles, Botox can improve the skin appearance and reduce deep wrinkles. However, being an effective drug, it can also change the way our faces move. Fortunately, today the Botox-frozen faces of the 90s are out of favor. However, some subtle side effects of botox injections are fairly common and need to be recognized.
Here Dr. Konstantin, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon known for his expertise in facial rejuvenation shares his personal views on his least favorite areas to inject Botox.
Lifting the Corners of the Lips With Botox: Inject With Caution
One of Dr.Konstantin’s least favorite areas to inject Botox is by the corners of the lips. These are depressor muscles which sit on either side of the mouth. These muscles work to pull down the corners of the lips which in turn may create or exacerbate a sad or unhappy appearance. Depressor muscles are sometimes injected to lift the corners of the lips and alleviate this problem.
Dr. Konstantin believes that getting neurotoxin injected into the depressor muscles does work. However, it might come with unexpected side effects. These muscles along with a number of others are involved in the lip movements that create our smile. Even a subtle change in the balance between these muscles can make the smile look very different. This problem does not happen with every injection but unfortunately it does happen often enough to make Dr. Konstantin extra careful in recommending this injection to his patients.
Lip Flip Injection: Be Aware of the Side Effects
The second area is the upper lip. This procedure is known as a lip flip, and was incredibly popular a few years back for people who wanted a fuller looking upper lip. This injection does create a subtle but noticeable upturn of the lip making it appear fuller. This effect is temporary, lasting for about three to four months post injection.
Although a lip flip can make the upper lip appear fuller it comes at a cost. Oftentimes the movement of the upper lip will be affected causing trouble with whistling and drinking from a straw. In more severe cases speech impairment or even drooling can occur. The good news is that this effect is temporary and will go away within a couple of months of the injection.
Learn More About Facial Rejuvenation Procedures in New York City
Although Botox neurotoxin has made a complete 180 with regard to its reputation, when making an informed decision about facial rejuvenation procedures it’s best to call on the professionals. If you’re considering a cosmetic procedure, consult with an expert. Dr. Konstantin, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, can help you learn how to achieve a natural-looking result while keeping potential side effects to a minimum.
To meet with Dr. Konstantin and discuss your aesthetic goals, request a consultation using our online form or call our Manhattan office at (212) 380-3634.