Botox Specialist

How does Botox work?

Some facial expressions like smiling or frowning cause muscles in the face to contract. Over time, these repeated contractions cause lines and wrinkles to form in the skin above the muscles. Botox works by blocking the signals between the muscles and the brain, preventing chemical messages from being transmitted. As a result, the muscles don't receive the signal to contract, which means those lines and creases don't form.

Can Botox be used to treat all my lines and wrinkles?

No. Botox is designed to work only on wrinkles and creases that form as a result of muscle contraction — so-called dynamic wrinkles. Wrinkles that form as a result of loose or lax skin — static wrinkles — are not affected. Instead, static wrinkles must be treated with other approaches such as chemical peels or laser treatments.

Is Botox safe?

Yes, Botox has been safely used for decades for the treatment of lines and wrinkles.

What is the procedure like?

After evaluating your face and the lines and creases that form when you're making facial expressions, Dr. Harris injects Botox into specific muscles of the face using very fine needles. Because the needles are so thin, most patients experience very little discomfort, and the entire procedure takes just a few minutes to complete. Afterward, you may have slight swelling, redness, or discomfort at the injection sites, but those effects dissipate quickly. You can go back to your regular routine right after treatment.

How quickly will I be able to see results?

You may begin to see initial results a few days after your procedure, with full results typically taking a couple of weeks to appear.

How long will the results last?

Most people benefit from having touch-up treatments every 3-4 months.

Dr. Harris also offers Dysport® - an alternative to Botox!

Dysport is a prescription injection for temporary improvement in the look of moderate-to-severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults less than 65 years old. Dysport is made from a neurotoxin (botulinum toxin type a) that was originally developed to treat neuromuscular disorders, but has been used to treat facial folds and lines for several years.