3 Conditions Botox Can’t Fix

Ask beauty-conscious women over 40 for one of their favorite anti-aging tools and many will profess their love for Botox or other neuromodulator treatments such as Xeomin and Dysport. It seems health journals are routinely reporting new benefits from Botox use such as migraine relief, depression management and Hyperhidrosis treatment. With all of these new findings, it is easy to begin to categorize Botox as some sort of panacea.

While neuromdulators are long proven to smooth “11” lines, crow’s feet , neck cords and even subtly lift eyebrows, this magnificent emulsion does have its limitations. Here are three conditions Botox cannot effectively correct.

1. Deep Lines

Yes, neuromodulators are great for preventing and addressing fine lines but only those caused by facial expressions. Botox works by relaxing those muscles responsible for dynamic wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles are those lines formed as a result of frowning, squinting, laughing, smiling or scowling. With time, the habitual act of these expressions etch deeper lines into the skin. By relaxing such expressions, you prevent deeper etching of the lines and wrinkles. However, if deep lines persist even when muscles are relaxed, Botox alone will not remove the lines. If the wrinkling is still present after the application of a neuromodulator, you most likely will require an injectable filler to plump the skin and provide dermal volume to push the crease out. If you are experiencing wrinkling from sun damage, a dermal filler is better suited for your condition. Botox will not address this type of wrinkling.

2. Skin Complexion

While neuromodulators can improve the appearance of the skin by smoothing out fine creases and lines, it has no effect on skin complexion. If you are looking to restore radiance to skin, treatments such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels and laser resurfacing will be better suited to your needs. A proper diet, sufficient water consumption, routine exfoliation and daily application of sunscreen are also great ways to ensure a glowing complexion. Keep in mind that exposure to sun and wind or tobacco use can wreak havoc on your skin.

3. Sagging Skin

Sagging skin results as elasticity of the tissue is lost through aging and skin damage(often inflicted by sun exposure or weight fluctuation). Jowls and heavy eyelids are two popular expressions of this condition. While Botox can subtly lift the eyebrows and provide a slight improvement to eyelids, Botox is not equipped to address these issues. Although dermal fillers like Perlane, Restylane or Juvederm can provide a bit of relief, the most effective and proven way to lift sagging skin is through surgical removal or lifting of excess skin. A facelift is the best way to address jowls while blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) is ideal for correcting drooping eyelids.

While Botox is valuable for a number of conditions, it is definitely not a miraculous cure all. It is important for patients to have reasonable expectations before pursuing this treatment.

Our Board Certified Surgeons have years of experience with injectable neuromodulators. To schedule your complimentary consultation, call 423-648-4011.