Botox for the Chin
How is Botox Used for the Chin?
There are more than forty muscles around the mouth, and repetitive muscle movement is the prime cause of premature wrinkling, creasing, and the appearance of fine lines. For the most dynamic part of the face, Botox injectables can keep the area around the mouth looking youthful and smooth. Over six million people get Botox injections every year. For the chin, most people get Botox to fill in dimples and give the area a softer appearance.
Isn’t Botox a dangerous toxin?
Botox does originate from a dangerous bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. However, it is a myth that Botox patients are injecting a deadly toxin into their skin. The medicine Botox, made by the company Allergan, is derived from only one of the strains of Botox and is entirely safe for human use. The FDA has approved Botox for a variety of health conditions and cosmetic procedures, including for the prevention of chronic migraines, strabismus, cervical dystonia, wrinkles, and more. Botox is one of the most versatile medicines in the world, and using an injectable to deliver effective medication straight into the muscle fibers can be used to treat many debilitating health conditions.
How does Botox work?
When a doctor or licensed practitioner injects a patient with Botox, the material goes straight into the muscle tissues. From there, it prevents the nerve endings from sending certain neurotransmitters throughout the muscle fibers. This effectively paralyzes the muscle and gives the skin above the injected muscle a smooth appearance.
Also, Botox has been found to block specific pain and inflammation signals in the muscle fibers. This is one of the reasons why Botox is useful for preventing chronic migraines, in that the medicine will effectively stop the brain from picking up pain signals in the forehead and chin muscles.
Wrinkles are caused by a multitude of things, including the breakdown of collagen and elasticity of the skin. However, dynamic lines, as in the wrinkles and creases that appear when a person frowns, smiles, or squints, arise because of the repeated contraction of the muscle beneath the skin. Botox is most effective for treating the appearance of these types of wrinkles. For deeper creases that stay even when a person’s face is relaxed, Botox can soften the presence of these lines, but won’t completely reduce their appearance like it would with dynamic wrinkles.
Why would someone get Botox in the chin?
The chin can form cross-hatched lines or dimpling from repeated movement. Patients may also want to reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds, laugh lines, or frown lines around the chin. Botox is highly effective at turning back the clock a few years and giving patients a refreshed, youthful look below the nose. Botox is also approved for use around the eyes, and for the lines on the forehead and between the eyebrows.
Does Botox permanently erase the appearance of wrinkles on the chin or elsewhere?
It is a common misconception that Botox can permanently erase the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles anywhere on the face. When a doctor injects Botox in the chin muscle, the nerve endings are paralyzed for up to 120 days. 120 days after the injection, the nerve endings start to grow back and rejuvenate. At this time, wrinkles will reappear. Because the nerve endings continue to regrow, a patient will need maintenance injections about every three to six months for chin wrinkles and dimpling. For patients who get Botox for migraines, doctors recommend ongoing doses every three months to prevent recurrence of the condition.
Are there any side effects to getting Botox injections in the chin?
Most patients will experience some swelling and bruising around the injection site. This should clear up within five to seven days after the injection. It is recommended that patients avoid taking anticoagulants for about two weeks before getting Botox to minimize the risk of swelling and bruising. Some patients may experience a slight headache after injections. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories can be taken after injection if a patient experiences pain. Icing the injection site after a procedure can also reduce swelling.
In rare cases, Botox can affect muscles asymmetrically, and cause a lopsided appearance to the lower lip. This can happen because the muscles in the chin are tiny and close together. However, having a skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon inject Botox should minimize this risk. If it does happen, the asymmetry can be fixed with repeated Botox injections until it is gone.
How long will it take to see results?
Most patients see results in as little as 48 hours after getting Botox injections in the chin. The results will be most notable within five to ten days after the shot and should last between three and six months.
Who can get Botox injections?
The FDA has approved Botox for chin injections and other cosmetic procedures for patients eighteen and older. Patients as young as twelve can get Botox injections for health conditions such as strabismus, or cross-eyes. Most people who get Botox injections for the chin first enter a plastic surgeon’s office in their late twenties or early thirties when wrinkles and chin wrinkling first appear. Getting Botox early can shrink the underlying muscles, and make wrinkles less apparent as a person ages
What type of doctor can administer Botox injections in the chin?
A board-certified plastic surgeon can administer Botox injections. However, licensed aestheticians, nurses, nurse practitioners, dentists, and physicians’ assistants may also inject Botox if they’ve had the proper training. As always, it’s important that patients do their research before agreeing to Botox injections. Getting injections from a reputable and licensed practitioner can minimize the side effects of Botox, and ensure that the patient leaves the facility with a refreshed appearance, and not a “frozen” look.