Botox Injections
What is Botulinum Neurotoxin (Botox)?
Botulinum neurotoxins, most commonly referred to by the brand name Botox, are naturally occurring substances derived from bacteria. These toxins have been used in the cosmetic industry for over 20 years to help relax dynamic lines and wrinkles. When used in very small, controlled doses, these toxins can temporarily block nerve signals in the body. This blockage prevents the muscles from contracting, which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the skin over time. In Canada, Botox®, Dysport®, and Xeomin® (Botulinum toxin type A) are the most commonly used FDA approved brands.
Who Can Botox Injections Help?
Why Choose Xeomin®?
Xeomin® is a brand of botulinum toxin type A, similar to Botox® and Dysport®. Our clinic chose Xeomin® due to its benefits over its competitors:
Pure Form of Botulinum Toxin: Xeomin® is unique as it consists solely of the active neurotoxin, unlike other brands which contain complexing proteins.
Lower Risk of Antibody Formation: Due to its lack of complexing proteins, some studies suggest that patients might have a lower risk of developing antibodies to Xeomin®. Antibodies can neutralize the effectiveness of botulinum toxin treatments, making them less effective over time.
More Controlled Dispersion: Xeomin® has a more controlled dispersion, minimizing the risk of the toxin spreading to unintended areas or muscles. This feature enhances the precision of treatment, ensuring targeted results.
Faster Results: While the desired results usually take around two weeks to show up for competing brands, the results of Xeomin® can be seen within three to five days.
Common Botox Cosmetic Treatment Areas
Frown Lines: The vertical lines or number 11s that appear between the eyebrows, often caused by frowning or concentrating.
Crow’s Feet: The fine lines that fan out from the corners of the eyes, typically visible when smiling or laughing.
Forehead Lines: Horizontal lines across the forehead resulting from raising the eyebrows or showing surprise.
Bunny Lines: The creases on either side of the nose that appear when scrunching the nose, often accentuated with facial expressions.
Eyebrow Lift: A strategic placement of Botox that elevates the brow area, opening up the eyes and giving a more youthful appearance.
Jaw Slimming: Injections into the masseter muscle work to reduce its size, softening the jawline and creating a more feminine facial shape.
Lip Lines: These vertical wrinkles can form on the upper and lower lips, often associated with habits like smoking or repetitive lip movements.
Marionette Lines: The lines running from the corners of the mouth down to the chin, which can give a down-turned appearance to the mouth.
Nasolabial folds: The deep creases from the nose to the corners of the mouth.
Neck bands: Targets the platysma muscle bands that can create a “turkey neck” appearance, resulting in a smoother, tighter neck.
Lip Flip: A small amount of Botox is used to relax the muscles around the lip, causing the lip to roll slightly outward and appear fuller.
Gummy Smile: Reduces the elevation of the upper lip while smiling, minimizing the exposure of gum tissue for a balanced smile.
Dimpled Chin: Smooths out the puckered or “pebble” appearance of the chin caused by muscular activity.
Trapezius: Reduces muscle bulk in the trapezius area (upper back and neck), which can also relieve tension headaches and neck pain.
Benefits of Treatment
Natural Look: Our skilled injector can use botox (Xeomin®) to enhance your appearance while maintaining a natural look. We strategically target specific areas, use the right dosage, and preserve your facial expressiveness.
Minimal Downtime: Botox treatments have minimal downtime, making them a convenient option for those seeking to reduce the appearance of wrinkles without significant disruption to their daily activities. Most people can resume their normal activities immediately after the procedure.
Preventative Solution: Botox can play a pivotal role in not just diminishing existing wrinkles but also in preventing the formation of new ones. By temporarily relaxing the facial muscles responsible for expression lines, these treatments can keep the skin smoother and more youthful-looking, serving as an effective preventive strategy against the development of deeper wrinkles over time.
Quick Treatment: A typical botox appointment lasts between 15 to 20 minutes. During this session, you and your practitioner will revisit the details discussed in your initial consultation, such as the amount of Botox to be used and the specific facial areas to be treated.
Minimal Discomfort: The needles used for botox injections are very fine, and while you might feel a slight pinch or sting at the injection site, the sensation is usually brief and tolerable.
Meet Dr. Leong, ND
With an impressive career spanning over 15 years in pain management, our leading botox injector, Dr. Cameron Leong, brings a deep understanding and specialized expertise in the intricate anatomy and muscle structure of the head and face. His extensive background not only includes managing conditions like TMJ disorders and headaches, but also encompasses the delicate practice of facial acupuncture, demonstrating an unparalleled mastery of facial aesthetics and therapeutic treatments. Dr. Leong’s adeptness at placing fine needles with pinpoint accuracy into precise points has been a cornerstone of his practice, ensuring optimal results and patient satisfaction.
Illustrative of his experience and proficiency, Dr. Leong has successfully performed over 7,500 injections across a diverse range of treatments, including allergies, intramuscular vitamins, and immunizations.This vast experience not only reflects in his control, placement, and technique used when injecting, but also underscores his commitment to patient care and wellness.
If you’re considering botox injections and looking for someone who truly listens and understands, Dr. Cameron Leong is someone you want to meet. Dr. Leong brings his highly professional and caring approach to every procedure, ensuring personalized and effective results. His passion for achieving genuine health solutions shines through his work, making him the ideal choice for those seeking not just aesthetic enhancements, but a practitioner dedicated to understanding and addressing your unique needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Xeomin® injections are $8.00/unit.
Botox works by relaxing the muscles where it’s injected. In simple terms, when Botox is injected into a muscle, it blocks the signals from the nerves to the muscles. Since the muscle can’t receive the signal to contract (tighten) as it normally would, it becomes more relaxed. This relaxation helps smooth out wrinkles and can also reduce muscle-related pain or discomfort in the area treated.
The needles used for Botox injections are very thin, making the procedure relatively comfortable. Most people describe the sensation as a mild pinch or a slight stinging feeling that lasts for a short moment during the injection. Some areas of the face may be more sensitive than others, which could affect the level of discomfort experienced.
With Xeomin®, you can typically expect to start seeing results within 3 to 5 days after your treatment. However, it can take up to two weeks for the full effects to become visible. The onset of results can vary from person to person, depending on factors such as the area treated and the individual’s muscle strength.
Results can last up to 6 months with Xeomin®, compared to results from other neuromodulators (Botox®, Dysport®, etc.) which typically last for 3 to 4 months.
The number of Botox units needed per treatment can vary widely depending on the individual’s goals, the areas being treated, and individual muscle strength and facial anatomy. To determine your needs, it’s best to have a consultation with Dr. Leong before your first treatment.
However, here are some general guidelines for common areas treated with Botox: Forehead lines: Approximately 10-20 units, Frown lines (between the eyebrows, also known as the “11” lines): Approximately 10-25 units, Crow’s feet (around the eyes): Approximately 5-15 units per side
Yes, botox injections (Xeomin®) is considered safe for most people when administered by a qualified and experienced healthcare provider. It has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cosmetic use as well as for the treatment of certain medical conditions, such as cervical dystonia (neck muscle spasms) and blepharospasm (eyelid spasms).
Botulinum toxin type A injection remains the leading nonsurgical cosmetic procedure worldwide with a high rate of efficacy and patient satisfaction. In 2022, over 8 million botulinum toxin injections were administered globally (the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASAP)).
Although Botox injections are most often given to individuals aged 30 to 60, it’s not unusual for both younger and older patients to opt for Botox treatments. In fact, some patients in their early to mid-20s begin using Botox as a preventive approach, aiming to ward off the formation of deep wrinkles before they start.
Botox for men (aka Brotox) is becoming increasingly more popular. Men may choose Botox to help look more rested and refreshed, to enhance a younger appearance while still looking experienced, and to fade stubborn wrinkles and folds.
Avoid any blood thinning medications and supplements for 24 hours before the treatment and avoid drinking alcohol for 24 hours prior to the treatment. Following the treatment, do not touch, rub, or massage the treated area for 4 hours. Avoid excessive heat (sauna, tanning) for 72 hours, and do not exercise for 24 hours following the treatment.
When injected using proper technique, including the correct placement and dosage of Botox, the results should look natural and not overly noticeable.The key objective is to relax the muscles that contribute to wrinkles and fine lines, without compromising the ability to express emotions or making the face look “frozen” or unnaturally smooth. The aim is subtlety—a refreshed and more youthful appearance, where the skin looks smoother, but the overall facial expressions remain dynamic and natural.
Microneedling and Botox can effectively complement each other in a wrinkle treatment plan. Botox smooths out dynamic wrinkles caused by facial expressions by relaxing muscles, particularly around the eyes and forehead. Microneedling, by creating tiny skin punctures, boosts collagen production, improving skin texture, firmness, and reducing fine lines and scars. Used together, Botox and microneedling tackle both the causes and effects of aging. Botox addresses the muscle activity leading to wrinkles, while Microneedling enhances the overall quality of the skin.
