FAST FACTS
The service: Botox
What it is: An injectable neuromodulator that contains botulinum toxin, causing temporary paralysis of muscle tissue and a resulting relaxation and smoothing of the muscle.
Treatment duration: A few minutes. For best results, repeat every four to six months.
Who it’s for: Anyone looking to smooth wrinkles caused by facial movements.
Pain: Virtually none.
Downtime: None, though you can’t get a facial or head massage for 24 hours and shouldn’t rub the injected areas so you don’t move the product around while it’s settling in. Don’t lie down for an hour and avoid saunas, hot tubs and tanning booths for at least four hours.
My rating: 5 stars
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My very first visit to Bella Sante was 10 years ago. I wanted to see if Botox could eliminate my new forehead lines and the ’11’ lines that appeared out of nowhere between my eyebrows. I was thrilled to see a smooth forehead within a week. The best part was that nobody noticed any dramatic change, just that I seemed perkier and fresher than usual.
I don’t keep up with any regular schedule, but I do stop in for a Botox treatment every so often — notably before a girls’ trip and my 30-year college reunion. It’s now been at least two years since I’ve gone in for Botox, so I was more than ready to head back to Bella Sante for a neuromodulator treatment, because while the last six months of starting a new company have been exciting, I have frowned, cried and worried myself into a whole BUNCH of new, deep bunches on my forehead.
Neuromodulators can fix it all.
DID YOU KNOW? Botox is one of three neuromodulators on the market in Canada. Botox, Dysport and Xeomin all have the same active ingredient — a microdose of botulinum toxin — but each has a slightly different formulation. They’re all used to treat fine lines and wrinkles and can also treat conditions like hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), overactive bladder, neck spasms, migraines and jaw clenching.
Neuromodulators are injected with a superfine needle into muscle, where the toxin works quickly to paralyze and smooth the local tissue. You will start to see results within a few days, with the full effect setting in around day 10.
People always ask me if you have a “frozen” face when you get a Botox treatment. I can still show emotions like surprise and dismay, though full-out scowling takes a bit of effort. I will say there is definitely a high level of skill needed here to ensure natural results. Don’t trust this procedure to someone who took a weekend course, this is a treatment you’ll want to get from a doctor or nurse injector, who will know exactly where to place each injection to prevent drooping eyebrows or uneven results. There’s no reversing this procedure. If you’re not happy with your results, you’ll have to wait it out until the effects wear off in three to four months.
I have what my nurse injector, Sharon, politely describes as a “strong forehead,” meaning those muscles are tough and scrappy, requiring a LOT of tiny injections to tame them. On this visit, Dr. Jubin did my Botox injections, targeting my upper forehead and just above each eyebrow, along with an injection in my glabellar lines (those ’11s’ between my eyebrows.) She also placed small injections in my lower eyelids, at the corners of each eye, in the middle of my chin and in the platysma bands of my neck. These are all areas where I’ve got fine wrinkles because of muscle movement. Stop the movement and the lines will vanish. It’s a neat piece of magic, this.
We waited two weeks, then Dr. Rubin made a final couple of injections (it’s always best to be conservative at the start to get perfect results.) My strong forehead is now as smooth as a freshly-made bed.
The verdict: Neuromodulators give fast and impressive results if you’re looking to tame your wrinkles. It’s painless, there’s no downtime, you can pop in for treatment during your lunch hour and in a few days, you’ll have that “had a great vacation” relaxed vibe that lasts for a few months, and nobody will be the wiser. Without a doubt, this is my very favourite service.
See you all soon,
~Michelle
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