From the super soft skin of infants to the oily acne flare-ups of puberty to the increasingly pronounced wrinkles that mark aging skin, our largest organ goes through many stages throughout our lifetime. We’d all love for our skin to remain supple, unlined, and luminous forever, but because of basic biology, that simply isn’t possible—at least without help. The discovery of neuromodulators has allowed skilled injectors to keep unwanted wrinkles at bay by preventing the muscle action that causes them. Botulinum toxin (BOTOX® being the most popular brand) is especially beneficial for creases that form on the forehead and around the eyes. But how exactly do we use BOTOX® for crow’s feet in Nashville? Here’s a brief explanation of the science behind the treatment:
BOTOX® addresses the underlying cause of what are known as dynamic wrinkles, which are those lines/wrinkles that are linked to motion. The skin in the area around the eyes is also particularly thin and susceptible to the damaging effects of UV radiation from sunlight, smoking, and losing its elasticity due to aging. After some time, it no longer snaps back easily from various expressions, which lead to the formation of fine creases.
This prescription medication contains low doses of a natural substance that stops a chemical called acetylcholine from being produced where it is injected. This prevents nerve messages from reaching the muscles in isolated spots of the face, thereby stopping contractions that cause specific lines to form over time. We target moderate to severe crow’s feet by injecting BOTOX® in the circular muscle bands around the eyes, known as the orbicularis oculi muscle.
The intention isn’t to create a fake or doll-like face. Even with BOTOX® injections, your face can still move normally to communicate emotions—but your skin won’t form the fine lines or furrows it did before. The result is a more refreshed and youthful look.
Crow’s feet are just one of the three FDA-approved cosmetic conditions BOTOX® can treat. These tiny, prominent lines that branch from the corners of the eyes are the result of cumulative muscle contractions, skin damage, and genetics. The small, everyday movements of your face each time you smile, laugh, blink, squint in the sunlight, or even stare at a screen strain the skin. Indeed, our eyes move more than 100,000 times every day, and much of that motion is accompanied by corresponding facial expressions.
Need advice on a cosmetic procedure? Our team at Nashville Plastic Surgery Institute can answer questions pertaining to BOTOX® for crow’s feet and other non-surgical and surgical alternatives in Nashville. Call us at 615.932.7700 or send us your information online.