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Botox® injections are among the most popular and safest cosmetic treatments. They are remarkably effective in softening certain facial lines and wrinkles—those caused by the contraction of expression muscles. Botox can make you look years younger by relaxing these expression muscles and allowing facial creases to smooth and recover. But even after years of successful use with millions of patients, many people are hesitant to consider Botox treatments because of some enduring myths.

What’s the truth behind these misconceptions? Let’s look at them one by one.

Myth 1: Botox is Toxic

Botox is indeed made from a toxin. The cosmetic injectable is a purified protein extracted from Botulinum toxin—the substance responsible for botulism food poisoning. This connection is probably at the root of this myth. But Botox is not the raw toxin that causes food poisoning. It’s a purified extract that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for medical and cosmetic use after extensive clinical testing. The dosage levels used in the treatment are a tiny fraction (less than one 100th) of the amount that might cause health problems. In almost 20 years of use as a cosmetic treatment, millions of patients have had Botox injections with safe and effective results.

Myth 2: Botox Treatments Will Give Me a Frozen, Expressionless Face

Botox works by relaxing facial expression muscles, giving the lines and creases in your skin a chance to smooth and recover. In a skilled practitioner’s hands, only selected expression muscles are targeted — the ones that cause forehead furrows, crow’s feet, or marionette lines, for example. Further, the amount of Botox administered is precisely calibrated to relax the muscles, not to freeze or paralyze them. The effect is to soften facial expressions, not to prevent them. And the great majority of the face’s muscles are left untreated, allowing you to display a wide range of facial expressions. You’ll look younger and more relaxed after Botox treatments, not expressionless.

Myth 3: Botox Injections are Painful

In fact, most patients experience only mild discomfort from Botox treatments. They often describe the sensation of each injection as a slight pinch or report that they hardly feel it at all. That’s because the needles used for the injections are very fine, and only a tiny amount of medication is injected. If this is a concern for you, your doctor can use a mild topical anesthetic to numb your skin before treatment.

Myth 4: Botox is Only Used to Treat Facial Lines and Wrinkles

Botox was approved for use in treating muscle spasms of the eyes long before its value as a cosmetic treatment was recognized. It is now approved as a treatment for excessive sweating, eyelid spasms, chronic migraines, overactive bladder, and other medical problems in addition to its use for facial rejuvenation. Botox has a long history as a safe and effective medical treatment. Its cosmetic uses have expanded, too. In addition to smoothing facial expression lines, Botox is used to lift the eyebrows, soften the jawline, and raise the corners of the mouth when they begin to droop.

Learn More About Botox and Other Cosmetic Treatments in Beverly Hills

For best results from Botox injections, you should receive treatment from a skilled medical practitioner, one with a deep understanding of facial musculature and aesthetics. Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery have developed an impeccable reputation for stunning, natural-looking cosmetic treatment and plastic surgery results, attracting patients from all over the world. Contact our practice today at (310) 746-5475 or send an online request to schedule a consultation.


If you’ve committed to losing weight this year, that’s great!

We recommend a slow and steady approach of shifting to healthier foods that you enjoy, in smaller portions, paired with a regular and sustainable routine of increased physical activity. The combination of fewer calories in and more calories burned, accomplished by adopting a set of habits that become second nature to you, can be the key to losing weight and keeping it off. Beyond that, it’s all about what works for you.

But have you thought about what you’ll do after you lose the weight?

Body Contouring

If you’re lucky, your weight will come off in all the right places and you’ll be delighted with your slimmer body contours. But weight loss doesn’t always work that way. Many people are left with stubborn pockets of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. Those might be around your waist, on your arms or thighs, or under your chin. Wherever the last bulges of fat persist, there are ways to get rid of them without going to extremes in dieting or at the gym.

Once you’re close to your weight goal — within about 10 or 15 pounds of your ideal weight — you might think about a body-contouring procedure to put the finishing touches on your self-improvement efforts. These procedures reduce unwanted pockets of fat on specific areas of your body in ways that eliminate those fat cells forever. They aren’t weight-loss treatments, but they make great complements to weight loss through healthy eating and exercise.

Breast Surgery

Weight loss can sometimes affect a woman’s breasts in ways that are less than desirable. Stretched breast skin can sag when the fat is gone, or your breasts can lose more volume than you would prefer.

Mommy Makeover

A mommy makeover combines procedures—typically a tummy tuck, breast surgery, and liposuction—to restore a more attractive, younger-looking figure. A mommy makeover can provide the finishing transformation after successful weight loss to give you the body you want.

Facial Rejuvenation

As you get your body in beautiful shape, you might consider treatments to make your face look younger, too. You have many options for facial rejuvenation, including:

Learn More About Body Contouring and Other Rejuvenating Treatments in Beverly Hills

Find out more about the possibilities of cosmetic treatment in a personal consultation. Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery have developed an impeccable reputation for stunning, natural-looking cosmetic treatment and plastic surgery results, attracting patients from all over the world. Contact our practice today at (310) 746-5475 or send an online request to schedule an appointment.

Thinking of getting Botox? You’re not alone. In recent years, the procedure has become one of the most popular, non-surgical treatment options for patients who want to look younger and feel more confident in their appearance. However, there remain certain risks that patients should be aware of and try to avoid when choosing treatment

Too good to be true pricing

Not all Botox specialists are the same. While the procedure may seem less risky than other more invasive treatment options, it is still considered an extensive cosmetic treatment with its own risks.

Proper Botox application is a delicate balance – specialists need to know the best application spots across the face to freeze wrinkle-causing muscles without creating an unwanted, overtreated appearance. Bottom of the barrel deals may be tempting but can be risky and leave you with less than natural-looking results. Instead, seek out physicians with extensive cosmetic surgery or dermatology experience and be sure to ask for samples of their work and their experience in treating cases like yours.

One-off treatments

While Botox can certainly be used for spot treatments, the best results come when there is an ongoing treatment strategy. At BHPS, our specialists work with patients to identify the way wrinkles have developed and appear across the face in order to determine the correct Botox dosage. In some instances, our plastic surgeons may recommend supplementing your Botox treatment with other non-invasive solutions like dermal filler. This combination of solutions can help patients address all forms of aging and allow them to improve their overall appearance more holistically.

Your Botox treatment strategy should also cover the frequency of application. Going for injections too often, and patients run the risk of looking overdone and get develop the stereotypical frozen face appearance. At a young age, too much Botox can have an adverse effect and actually create the wrinkles you’re trying to prevent. On the flip side, Botox is a temporary solution – going too few times may not provide patients with the results they’re looking for.  Coming to an appropriate treatment schedule with your specialist can help ensure you have the tools needed to tackle the aging process gracefully.

Pre-Procedure Tips

As with many other cosmetic treatments, Botox comes with its own set of do’s and don’ts to ensure treatment goes as smoothly as possible. These include:

While Botox doesn’t require the same degree of recovery as other cosmetic procedure, patients should still take care of their injection for the first few days following treatment. In particular, we recommend avoiding strenuous activity for up to 24 hours after the gym. Patients who’ve just received Botox should also avoid lying down for several hours following treatment as well as touching, rubbing or massaging the treatment area. These actions can spread the injection material to other muscles, leaving individuals with unwanted results.

Interested in Botox? Get Started at BHPS

With Botox, patients can take control over the way they age and slow the process dramatically. At BHPS, plastic surgeons Dr. Eugene Kim and Dr. David Kim are experts in creating holistic treatment strategies that address patients’ concerns and fit their lifestyles. To learn more about building your Botox treatment strategy, call (310)746-5475 and schedule your consultation with our Beverly Hills plastic surgeons today!

 

Your 20s and 30s present new challenges and adventures. In addition to new professional and personal opportunities, these years are also a critical time for preparing your skin to ensure it looks healthy for decades to come. For patients with hyper-expressive faces, the natural slow-down of collagen production that happens with age can mean noticeable wrinkles and fine lines in the not-so-distant future.

What Causes Wrinkles?

Collagen and elastin are important for keeping skin looking smooth and supple. However, natural aging, genetics, sun damage, and environmental factors can all influence and slow the production of these compounds. By the time an individual reaches their 30s, collagen production slows, causing fine lines to appear. These eventually form the basis for wrinkles and deep creases to develop in the coming decades. Rather than waiting to treat the inevitable when it happens, preventive treatments with Botox gives patients the opportunity to take control of the aging process.

The Advantages of Preventive Botox

While Botox remains a popular treatment for patient well into the aging process, studies have suggested that catching wrinkles early is a more effective solution for hitting pause on aging. In recent years, there has been an uptick in younger male and female patients seeking preventative Botox.

Studies have shown that, when injected correctly and early in the aging process, Botox can help stall the development of wrinkles across the face. As Botox temporarily paralyzes wrinkle-creating muscles, preventive forms of this treatment keep deep creases from forming. With consistent follow-up visits, strategic injections help soften developing creases, allowing patients to age gracefully without worrying about appearing frozen or expressionless.

Getting Preventive Botox at BHPS

The aging process starts differently for every patient. While some individuals may not develop wrinkles until they’re in their 30s, individuals with hyper-expressive faces are at risk for developing fine lines by their mid-20s. At BHPS, we recommend patients come in for a preventive Botox consultation when they notice the development of fine lines. During this visit, our team evaluates the depth of these fine lines and asks a series of in-depth questions to identify factors such as genetics or behavioral habits that may accelerate the aging process. From there, we’ll create a treatment strategy that keeps your appearance at its most youthful and develop a long-term strategy for keeping your face looking naturally smooth.

Get Started Today! Schedule Your Consultation

Take control of your skin’s unique aging process. Contact BHPS today and schedule your preventive Botox consultation. By creating a customized treatment process that fits your lifestyle, our team of specialists can help you get back to enjoying today while preparing for the future.

As the holidays approach, your days will surely become packed with activities: parties to plan and attend, visiting with family, shopping for gifts, the list goes on. And during this festive time, most people want to look their best. But between shuffling the kids to holiday events and attending social gatherings of your own, it can be difficult to take time for your appearance.

That’s where Botox comes in. This popular injectable can be administered in just minutes, making it a convenient cosmetic treatment for even the busiest schedules. If you’d like to take control of fine lines and wrinkles before your next big party, learn how Botox can help you put your best face forward during the upcoming holiday season.

What Is Botox?

Botox is an injectable treatment that comes from Clostridium botulinum, a naturally occurring bacterium. After being produced and refined in a lab, the neurotoxin Botulinum Toxin A is formed. Botox® Cosmetic is the brand name of this neurotoxin, which has been approved by the FDA for cosmetic use since 2002.

Benefits of Botox include the following:

How It Works

Every expression on the face is made possible by tiny muscle contractions. Over time, repeated muscle contractions result in “dynamic wrinkles,” or wrinkles caused by movement. These wrinkles are notoriously difficult to treat because they can only be avoided by limiting muscle movement. Dynamic wrinkles include the horizontal lines between the brows (sometimes called “11 lines”), crow’s feet wrinkles around the eyes, forehead lines, and bunny lines across the nose.

Botox is so effective because it works at the source. When Botox is injected, it essentially paralyzes the underlying muscles on your face. As a result, wrinkles and lines are softened because the muscles can no longer contract to form wrinkles.

Botox 101: What You Need to Know

The beauty of Botox is that a single treatment can be completed within minutes, letting you quickly smooth away lines and wrinkles from holiday stress. Injections are made in targeted areas on the face using a very thin needle. The number of injections will vary depending on your needs and cosmetic goals, but the entire session usually takes less than 10 minutes.

Another benefit of using Botox is that it requires virtually no downtime. The last thing you’ll want during the holidays is having to hide out to recover from cosmetic treatments. With Botox, you can stop in for a quick in-office treatment during your lunch break. Patients can expect to experience mild redness or swelling following a Botox injection, but most symptoms are very minor and should subside within a few hours.

After Botox injections, you should also avoid lying down for at least four hours, and don’t engage in exercise or vigorous activity for at least 24 hours. This will ensure the Botox stays localized to the treatment area instead of potentially migrating to other parts of your face.

The full results of Botox may take a few days to become apparent. If you want to look fully rejuvenated for that holiday party you have planned, it’s best to schedule your Botox injections about a week or two before. This will give you enough time for the Botox to settle and take full effect. Once the results have fully settled, you can expect them to last for about three-to-six months, depending on how your body responds. This gives you the freedom of using Botox for temporary rejuvenation for the holidays, or you can choose to maintain your wrinkle-free look.

Get Out and Celebrate with Smooth, Wrinkle-Free Skin!

The holidays are all about spending time with the ones you love and celebrating, but most people have a hard time making space in their schedule to pamper their skin. Fortunately, Botox allows you to look your best for all the festivities you have planned, without having to take time off for lengthy treatments or downtime. So, as you get ready to take on the holidays, consider scheduling an appointment for Botox to help you get the most out of this festive season while looking your best.

If you’d like to see how Botox can benefit you during this holiday season, contact Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery today at (310) 271-6996 to schedule a consultation.