Botox | Xeomin
Botox San Francisco, CA
At his San Francisco, CA, office, board-certified cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Leonard Gray, performs BOTOX® cosmetic injections with care and expertise. BOTOX actually uses a purified version of a toxin, which penetrates the skin to address the muscles that cause wrinkling. By preventing these muscles from contracting for a short period of time, the signs of aging are diminished. The result is a refreshing improvement with fewer wrinkles and higher brow elevation. Most importantly, Dr. Gray’s expert technique allows a patient to retain the ability to animate and show expression, preventing the “frozen” look. At Bay Area Plastic Surgery, it is important to us that you get a refreshed, natural look.
Administering Botox
Tiny doses or “units” of BOTOX are injected into the skin where wrinkles are noticeable. It is normally done in the doctor’s office and the procedure can last from 15 to 30 minutes. The number of injections and dose amounts administered varies by patient depending on the severity of wrinkles. Patients are first marked with ink prior to the injection so that the practitioner can accurately inject the areas in need of wrinkle softening. This procedure does not create any discomfort other than a normal prick that comes with a small needle. A topical numbing cream may be applied to the treatment area to help with any discomfort. Patients will be able to go home right after treatment with no downtime from their normal routine.
What To Expect
After treatment, mild swelling and bruising may appear on each injection site. Patients are advised to limit exercise and to sleep in an upright position the same night as the treatment. The redness and swelling will only last for a few hours, but some patients may experience bruising for several days. There are bruising medications, such as Arnica, that patients can take a week prior to treatment to help minimize bruising. The results from a BOTOX treatment take 5 – 7 days to appear. When they do, the face will look smoother and brighter, and patients will feel rejuvenated by their fresh appearance.
Bay Area Botox - FAQs
When administered properly, BOTOX rarely causes any complications. With that said, it is still very important to find someone who has experience in handling this medication. Too much of the product can cause an undesirable outcome. A skilled practitioner will use just enough of the medication to effectively freeze the facial muscles that cause wrinkles while leaving nearby muscles unaffected. BOTOX is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments on the market today. It is safe and effective, and approved by the FDA. BOTOX is also used to treat other medical conditions such as squints, excessive sweating, uncontrollable blinking and migraines.
There is an ongoing trend where people who wish to have BOTOX treatments will gather together and administer the BOTOX doses themselves called ‘BOTOX cocktail parties’. This is very risky. BOTOX, when administered incorrectly, may paralyze unintended muscles that can result in an abnormal facial appearance. BOTOX treatments should be done in a medical setting with an experienced, skilled injector.
In recent years, BOTOX has seen some competition as other drugs have been approved by the FDA and introduced to the aesthetic market. Dysport and Xeomin are muscle relaxers similar to BOTOX. Each has its specific trending function that can be addressed during the initial consultation. Sometimes, a combination of the drugs is used to treat various areas. For example, BOTOX for frown lines, and Dysport for crow’s feet.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding or people who have a neurological disease should not consider BOTOX. Also, since BOTOX only resolves dynamic wrinkles and not static ones, you should consult with Dr. Gray.
According to RealSelf member reviews, the cost of Botox in San Francisco ranges from $100 – $1,000, with an average of $475 within the greater San Francisco area. Cost estimates are based on 95 patient reviews in the Bay Area and 13,001 reviews submitted to the RealSelf website.
BOTOX is FDA-approved for men and women aged eighteen or over. However, the optimal age to start treatment depends on specific factors like your skin condition and overall cosmetic goals. BOTOX patients are currently seeking the treatment at younger ages.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding or people who have a neurological disease should not consider Botox®. Also, since Botox® only resolves dynamic wrinkles and not static ones, you should consult with Dr. Gray.
There are no harmful effects to stopping Botox® or Xeomin®. Still, facial lines or wrinkles may gradually emerge when muscle movement returns. Also, the longer you were under Botox® treatments, the longer the dynamic wrinkles will take to return.
BOTOX and fillers are both popular cosmetic treatments with the ability to decrease wrinkles and smoothen facial areas. The difference with each is the way the substances function to create the rejuvenating effect. Injectable fillers add volume under the skin to fill hollow areas and decrease the appearance of wrinkles on the surface. BOTOX, on the other hand, relaxes the muscles underneath the skin so that the muscles cannot contract, allowing a softer effect on the surface. It is very common for patients to undergo treatment using both a muscle relaxer and an injectable filler to attain optimal results.
Today, practitioners are treating patients of all ages with BOTOX. For some individuals, for example those as young as 30, BOTOX is considered a preventative way to prevent facial wrinkles. For others (i.e. 40 years old and older), it is a rejuvenation effort to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Older individuals (55 and up) will still receive great benefit from having BOTOX injections, but for some, a facelift technique might be a better option to consider.
A BOTOX injection will last between 3 – 4 months. The treatment can be repeated every quarter and for most patients who receive this treatment, they usually come back for more. BOTOX is an effective, easy and safe way to minimize the appearance of facial wrinkles. Patients consider it a part of their normal beauty routine.
There are no harmful effects to stopping BOTOX or Xeomin®. Still, facial lines or wrinkles may gradually emerge when muscle movement returns. Also, the longer you were under BOTOX treatments, the longer the dynamic wrinkles will take to return.
Patients have different tolerances for discomfort. BOTOX injections are similar to other injections and the experience is over quickly. You may feel a bit uncomfortable after treatment. Cold compresses used in your treatment by our experts bring immediate relief.
Botox® is FDA-approved for men and women aged eighteen or over. However, the optimal age to start treatment depends on specific factors like your skin condition and overall cosmetic goals. Botox® patients are currently seeking the treatment at younger ages.
Patients have different tolerances for discomfort. Botox® injections are similar to other injections and the experience is over quickly. You may feel a bit uncomfortable after treatment. Cold compresses used in your treatment by our experts bring immediate relief.
According to RealSelf member reviews, the typical Botox® cost near San Francisco ranges from $100 – $1,000, with an average of $475 within the greater San Francisco area. Cost estimates are based on 95 patient reviews in San Francisco and 13,001 reviews submitted to the RealSelf website.
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Instilling Beauty
Inspiring Confidence
Dr. Gray is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience conducting surgical procedures of the breast, body, and face. His emphasis on patient education and attention to detail have made him the top choice for plastic surgery in the Bay Area. Dr. Gray invites you to meet with him for a friendly and informative consultation.
Xeomin in San Francisco
One of the neurotoxins that board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Leonard Gray, prefers to use in his San Francisco office is Xeomin®. Classified as a neurotoxin, Xeomin is a purified form of a toxin that diminishes the look of lines and wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing the muscles that cause wrinkling. As the muscles contract, these actions cause lines and wrinkles to form, but Xeomin prevents this from happening for several months. Dr. Gray often uses Xeomin to treat crow’s feet, frown lines, and lines on the forehead for a natural, rejuvenated finish. Dr. Gray commonly uses BOTOX® and Xeomin as he has found that they last the longest with the most satisfying results.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Xeomin is an in-office procedure that is usually performed in less than 30 minutes. Prior to treatment, ink marks will be made to the injection sites on the face, and a fine needle will deliver the product directly into the skin. Xeomin is most effective in treating frown lines, crow’s feet, forehead furrows, and wrinkles around the chin area. There is no pain during the injection, but numbing creams may be applied to ease any discomfort caused by the injection prick. Mild swelling and redness may appear on the injection area, which usually subsides after a few hours. After a Xeomin treatment, there is no downtime, and most patients may resume normal activities.
Xeomin FAQs
Xeomin is purely botulinum toxin type A unlike BOTOX– (or Dysport), which has additives. This decreases the chances of the patient’s immunity to the medication. There is also the ease of distribution as Xeomin doesn’t require refrigeration. Other than that, both provide the same effect in treating facial cosmetic issues.
In the hands of a well-experienced practitioner, muscle relaxants are safe. The effects are also temporary, so if the patient is dissatisfied with the results, they can be rest assured that these results will not last forever. Xeomin has been proven by the FDA to be safe and effective to use.
A growing trend nowadays is a “liquid facelift” in which both muscle relaxers and derma fillers are combined in a single treatment. It is a noninvasive way of rejuvenating the facial appearance without surgery. Most patients who prefer this method believe the temporary and safe results outweigh the risks of a surgical procedure.
Both forms of neurotoxin are injected for cosmetic purposes in multiple areas over the face and neck to reduce and prevent the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The neurotoxins that we offer, Xeomin and Botox, provide results that last about three months.
- Botox:
- Generic Name: OnabotulinumtoxinA
- Widely recognized: Botox is one of the most well-known and established neurotoxin brands.
- Xeomin:
- Generic Name: IncobotulinumtoxinA
- Purified formulation: Xeomin contains only the active ingredient and has no complex proteins, potentially reducing the risk of antibody formation.
- Less likelihood of allergic reactions: Due to the lack of complex proteins, the risk of allergic reactions may be reduced.