Dr. Hootan Daneshmand
Botox Bakersfield and Orange County
Forehead Botox in Bakersfield, CA
If you’re a naturally expressive person or you’re reaching middle age, you may have noticed that your forehead wrinkles are becoming more prominent. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this. In fact, many people celebrate facial wrinkles because it means they’ve lived a full life with plenty of laughter, sorrow, and everything in between. But other people feel incredibly insecure about their forehead wrinkles, which may make them consider non invasive medical procedures to preserve their youth. The good news is that forehead Botox is an effective treatment for reducing the appearance of forehead wrinkles.
If you’re looking to preserve your youth for as long as possible, you may be a good candidate for both Botox injections and dermal fillers. The Med Spa at Silhouette Plastic Surgery Institute offers all this and more to help their patients feel as young and beautiful as possible. Call 949-359-8397 to schedule an appointment at our clinic today.
What is Botox?
Botox injections contain a toxin called botulinum. The botulinum toxin type A stops the release of a neurotransmitter, called acetylcholine, from axon endings at the neuromuscular junction. In other words, botulinum toxin injections work by temporarily paralyzing facial muscles.
Botox was first FDA approved in 1989 to treat two types of eye-muscle disorders: blepharospasm and strabismus. It wasn’t until 2002 that the FDA approved Botox for cosmetic reasons. Now, most people receive Botox cosmetic injections for undesirable lines and wrinkles on the face.
Botox can be used to prevent migraines, reduce excessive sweating in the armpits, reduce the appearance of a “gummy smile,” improve bladder incontinence, improve the appearance of frown lines and crow’s feet, and so much more.
Is Botox Safe?
Yes, Botox injections are safe especially when they are performed by a board-certified physician or plastic surgeon. If you have any of the health conditions listed below, you should either avoid Botox altogether or ask your doctor if the injections would be safe for your body.
- You have experienced an allergic reaction to the ingredients in Botox or similar brands such as Dysport, Xeomin, or Myobloc.
- You have an active skin infection in your desired injection site.
- You have a disease that affects your muscles or nerves such as Lambert-Eaton syndrome, myasthenia gravis, or ALS.
- You have breathing problems or a lung condition.
- You have another surgery coming up.
- You want a nonsurgical droopy eyelid treatment
- You’ve previously undergone facial surgery, such as a facelift.
- You are prone to excessive bleeding and/or blood clots.
- You’re currently pregnant or breastfeeding.
Why Do People Get Botox in Their Foreheads?
Most people choose to undergo Botox treatments on their foreheads in order to reduce the appearance of horizontal forehead lines.
Horizontal forehead lines are not a bad thing, and they’re nothing to be ashamed of. These types of lines and wrinkles are often referred to as “dynamic wrinkles,” because they appear when you’re expressing emotions. On the other hand, static wrinkles are those that gradually appear as your skin loses its elasticity. Additionally, sun damage can cause static wrinkles overtime.
With age, these facial wrinkles become more and more prominent. Some people experience a significant drop in self-confidence due to the presence of their horizontal forehead lines. Some may turn to Botox injections for a self-confidence boost. Botox works by temporarily paralyzing the facial muscles, therefore improving the appearance of wrinkles, especially when you’re making facial expressions.
How Many Units of Botox Are Allowed for the Forehead?
The available Botox doses come in 50 and 100 units per vial. Most people do not need this much Botox injected into their forehead. According to Allergan (which is the Botox Cosmetic manufacturer), a board-certified physician should start with a low unit dosage of 4 units in each of the five sites on the forehead. In total, the patient would receive 20 units of Botox in their forehead. If your forehead wrinkles are still very prominent after a few weeks, your medical professional may inject additional units into the forehead.
Too much Botox can make the facial muscles relax too much. As a result, patients may experience drooping eyelids, uneven eyebrows, and an “expression-less face.” So make sure you are receiving your forehead injections from a board-certified plastic surgeon or other physician so that you don’t experience these side effects.
Exact Injection Locations for Forehead Botox
The FDA approved two main injection sites on the forehead: the horizontal forehead lines and the glabellar lines between the eyebrows.
The only other spot on the upper face that can safely receive Botox injections are the lateral canthal lines (crow’s feet) next to the eyes. Patients can safely receive anywhere from 6 to 10 units per eye.
How Long Does Forehead Botox Last?
The effects of Botox eventually wear off. Generally, the effects of Botox last for about 4 months for most people. Although if this is your first appointment, your doctor may recommend that you come back for touch ups between 2 to 3 months. For all subsequent sessions, though, you can likely come back every 4 to 6 months for Botox treatments.
How Quickly Does Botox Work on the Forehead?
Botox starts paralyzing the facial muscles within 48 to 96 hours of the treatment. However, that doesn’t always mean that patients will see results that quickly. Most patients begin seeing true results between 10 to 14 days after their first set of Botox injections. If you’re still seeing noticeable, deep lines on your forehead after about 2 weeks, schedule your next treatment with your doctor. They may be able to give you additional units of Botox to achieve your desired results.
How Much Does Forehead Botox Cost?
The exact Botox treatment cost depends on several factors such as your geographical location, your doctor’s experience level, and how many injections you’re getting. The average cost of Botox per session is $575, according to a site called RealSelf, where plastic surgery patients across the U.S. discuss their experiences and results. Keep in mind, though, that you will likely have to undergo multiple sessions per year to maintain your desired results. So if you get a Botox treatment every 3 months for a year, you could be looking at an annual price tag of more than $2,300.
It’s also important to remember that health insurance likely won’t cover the cost of Botox injections unless you need them for a medical condition, such as hyperhidrosis or migraines. Health insurance generally does not cover the cost of cosmetic procedures because they are considered “elective procedures.”
For an exact price tag of forehead Botox, be sure to contact the Bakersfield Med Spa at Silhouette Plastic Surgery Institute.
Side Effects and Complications of Forehead Botox
Possible side effects and complications of forehead Botox include:
- Tenderness, bruising, or swelling at the injection site
- Headache
- Flu-like symptoms
- Droopy eyelids
- Uneven eyebrows
- An overall expression-less face
- Dry eyes or watery eyes
- An allergic reaction to the ingredients in the injections
Severe, life-threatening complications from Botox are very rare. However, these complications can and do happen when the botulinum toxin spreads to the rest of the body. If you experience the following symptoms, go to the emergency room immediately.
- Vision abnormalities
- Muscle weakness
- Fever
- Breathing problems
- Chills
- Loss of bladder control
How to Prevent Forehead Wrinkles Naturally
If you’re not quite ready to commit to regular Botox injections in your forehead, you can implement the following natural wrinkle-prevention methods into your daily routine.
- Wear Facial Sunscreen Regularly: Sun exposure is great for your vitamin D levels, but not so great for the youthfulness of your skin. Be sure to wear SPF 15 or SPF 30 facial sunscreen every day, but especially before you spend several hours outdoors.
- Manage Stress: Because most noticeable forehead wrinkles are caused by expressing big emotions – such as fear, sadness, confusion, general stress, etc. – it’s best to find small ways to manage stress every single day. You can manage stress by doing yoga, practicing deep breathing, eating a balanced diet, sleeping 7 to 8 hours every night, going to therapy, journaling your thoughts and feelings, and more.
- Stay Hydrated: Staying hydrated from the inside out helps almost every single bodily function. Staying hydrated can even help prevent early facial aging, because dry skin makes forehead lines and wrinkles more noticeable. So drink plenty of water and make sure your skin is moisturized.
- Eat a Balanced Diet: Not only does eating healthy help lower the body’s stress levels – which can prevent early aging – but it can also keep your skin young and healthy according to a 2007 study. Be sure to eat foods that are high in vitamin C and omega 3s, because research suggests that these nutrients contribute to healthy, youthful, moisturized skin.
- Stop Smoking: We all know that smoking is linked to countless health problems such as lung cancer, heart disease, and more. But what many people may not realize is that smoking also causes premature aging. In fact, a 2008 study claims that tobacco smoke reduces collagen production which leads to poor skin elasticity.
- Skin Care: Following a daily skin care routine can also help prevent premature aging. But with so many skin and beauty products on the market right now, it’s difficult to figure out which ones actually work. Products with retinol are great for both acne and fine lines and wrinkles because it boosts collagen production. Additionally, exfoliants with glycolic acid can help promote young, healthy skin. Last but not least, a facial moisturizing product is always a good idea to prevent wrinkles.
