As the world’s most popular cosmetic treatment, Botox is the go-to procedure to eliminate forehead furrows, crow’s feet, and glabellar lines. It’s so convenient that you can get injections on your lunch break and continue maintaining your refreshed, wrinkle-free look with touch-ups every three to six months.

To maximize the benefits of this low-risk, high-reward procedure, you should avoid these seven specific things after getting Botox.

1. Rubbing Your Face

While Botox injections aren’t painful, you may feel tempted to rub the treated area afterward in response to mild side effects like swelling. However, massaging your face may cause Botox to spread outside the targeted region, where it could lead to unintended results like eyelid drooping.

2. Sun and Heat Exposure

A sunburn is your skin’s response to UV radiation. While you always want to avoid cumulative sun damage, you’ll need to be especially cautious about staying out of the sun after Botox injections. In addition, heat exposure from hot tubs, steam rooms, or long summer days can cause unwanted dark spots in treated areas.

3. Intense Exercise

Botox temporarily paralyzes specific nerve impulses to muscle tissues. It’s advisable not to engage in any strenuous physical movements for the first few days after treatment until you start to see your desired results.

4. Taking Blood Thinners

Taking blood thinners like aspirin might cause excessive bruising and bleeding in the injection areas. Please avoid these medications for two weeks before and three months after your Botox appointment unless Dr. Dreyfuss advises otherwise.

5. Alcohol Consumption

Since alcohol also thins your blood, you shouldn’t drink following your Botox session. Alcoholic drinks can affect normal blood coagulation and cause excessive swelling, skin sensitivity, bruises, and excessive bleeding.

6. Washing Your Face With Soap

Please do not wash your face for the first six hours after you get Botox injections. Otherwise, you can continue cleansing your face every morning and night. As an alternative to antiseptic soap, we recommend you use a mild cleanser and lukewarm water. This combination will help prevent skin sensitivity due to chemicals found in over-the-counter soaps.

7. Applying Topical Products

Patients who undergo Botox injections should not apply topical products like moisturizers or skin care serums before injections, since these may cause unwelcome reactions. Once you’ve gotten your Botox treatment, it’s a best practice to not use cosmetics for a week to 10 days.

Schedule Your Consultation for Botox Injections in Orland Park, IL

Dr. David Dreyfuss and his Spa Services team help his patients understand everything they need to know about Botox.

Contact us to schedule your consultation today at our state-of-the-art surgical facility in Orland Park by calling (815) 806-9400, or arrange a virtual consultation to continue your journey toward getting that radiant glow!

As an FDA-approved prescription drug, Botox is one of the most popular methods available for non-surgically correcting lines and wrinkles caused by aging. While this product has many medical benefits – such as treating migraines and excessive sweating – you are probably more familiar with its cosmetic purposes of smoothing wrinkles on the skin by temporarily paralyzing muscles.

Each Botox injection treatment will last between four to six months, after which you will gradually regain your ability to make the repetitive muscle movements that crease your skin. To keep your youthful, smooth complexion, you’ll need periodic touch-up treatments. With an ongoing maintenance plan, the wrinkles will take longer to appear and will be less severe because repeated Botox injections effectively “train” your muscles to stay relaxed.

Botox is equally suitable for men as it is for women and, when expertly injected by board-certified Dr. David Dreyfuss, could be the best treatment to help you address the signs of aging that concern you.

You could be a good candidate for Botox if one or more of the following applies to you:

  • Crow’s feet or worry lines around the eyes
  • Moderate to severe frown lines between the brows
  • Droopy brows
  • Lines above the upper lip

Everyone ages at different rates, but the good news is you don’t have to live with wrinkles that make you appear older than you feel or give you a tired or angry-looking appearance.

What Areas Can You Get Treated With Botox?

If you’re considering Botox injections as an alternative or supplement to cosmetic surgery, the first thing to know is that it’s ideal for minimizing and relaxing the expression lines that form in the eye and eyebrow area.

  • Forehead furrows: Horizontal indentations that stretch across your forehead.
  • Eleven lines: Vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows.
  • Crow’s feet: Wrinkles that form around the outside of the eyes over time.

Are There Any Other Uses for Botox?

While Botox is a popular non-surgical option for diminishing unwanted facial lines, it has more uses than eliminating dynamic and static wrinkles. It has proven to be an effective treatment for other cosmetic and non-cosmetic procedures as well.

  • Acne treatment: Botox can treat acne breakouts by reducing oil production.
  • Gummy smile: Botox can relax the upper lip, allowing it to cover more of the exposed gum.
  • Bunny lines: Botox injections can smooth the lines on either side of the nose.
  • Muscle spasms: Botox can temporarily paralyze the muscles responsible for unwelcome muscle twitches, including those in your face or back.
  • Migraines: When injected into areas around the neck, forehead, and temples, Botox eases the pain and discomfort associated with migraines.

The Ideal Center for Your Botox Treatment in Chicago, IL

If you are looking to enhance your appearance and quality of life by using Botox or other types of injectables, Dr. David Dreyfuss can help you obtain treatments that are a perfect match for you.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation at our state-of-the-art surgical facility in Orland Park. Or, you can call us today at (815) 806-9400.

Of the people who consider facelift surgery, many worry about their results. The images of facelift failures displayed on television and social media could cause significant anxiety with potential patients worrying about a similar outcome.

Fortunately, choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon, preparing, and following post-surgical instruction can meet or exceed your aesthetic goals. Here are five steps to follow to ensure you get the results you deserve.

1. Choose the Right Surgeon

While most surgeons can legally perform a facelift, a board-certified plastic surgeon exceeds all others in training, skill, and ethical standards.  Their expertise centers on facial anatomy and reconstructive surgery. They must keep abreast of the most modern techniques and technology through continuing education. And their ethical standards are the most stringent in medicine.

2. Be Honest During Your Consultation

During your consultation, be honest with Dr. Dreyfuss about your desired results. Be prepared to discuss previous surgeries, drug allergies, and current medications. Dr. Dreyfuss will evaluate your unique facial anatomy to compare with your cosmetic goals and give you his assessment. Together, you will devise a surgical plan designed to deliver the best results possible.

Your consultation is your opportunity to ask questions and state your concerns. Come prepared with a list of what you would like to discuss.  Here are some questions you might want to consider:

  • How often do you perform facelifts?
  • How long have you been a plastic surgeon?
  • What makes me a good candidate for the surgery?
  • Where will you perform the operation?
  • Are there any complications and risks I should know about facelift surgery?

3. Get Your Skin Ready for Surgery

The secret to excellent facelift results is healthy skin. If you smoke, quit for at least two weeks before surgery. Use sunblock religiously before and after surgery to diminish sun damage. Start a medical-grade skin care routine at home. Eat the right foods for healthy skin.

4. Excellent Post-Surgery Care

Think about buying a new car – an expensive one, like a Maserati or Ferrari. You will want to have the vehicle serviced according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You should approach your facelift recovery the same way.

Dr. Dreyfuss will give you detailed instructions about prescribed medications, bandages, incision care, and sutures. He will advise you on diet, rest, and exercise. Follow his instructions to the letter!

5. Managing Volume Loss

Today, a facelift is more than stretching skin taut. It’s about volume. With age, we lose fat and bone, creating a sagging, deflated facial appearance. By managing this loss by restoring volume during surgery and beyond, the results will be longer-lasting. Dr. Dreyfuss may suggest enhancing your facelift results with other cosmetic treatments like dermal fillers or facial implants.

The Best Place for a Facelift in Chicago

To find a board-certified plastic surgeon to restore your youthful facial appearance, look no further. Dr. David Dreyfuss believes you deserve the best. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at our state-of-the-art surgical facility in Orland Park. Or, you can call us at 815-806-9400.

Botox is a popular non-surgical option for diminishing unwanted facial lines and wrinkles. However, this cosmetic stalwart has more uses than eliminating those pesky expression lines. It has proven to be an effective treatment for other cosmetic and non-cosmetic procedures as well. Here are a few:

Acne Treatment

Yes, Botox has been used for treating Acne breakouts by reducing oil production to combat those unsightly pimples. But before resorting to Botox for Acne treatment, all other forms of acne treatments should have been implemented. The best facial area for Acne treatment is the forehead.

Gummy Smile

When a smile shows more than those pearly whites and exposes too much gum above the teeth, Botox can relax the upper lip allowing it to cover more of the exposed gum. Then your smile will focus more on your teeth creating a beautiful smile.

Bunny Lines

Those little lines on either side of the nose which scrunch up and become noticeable are known as bunny lines. Botox injections on each side of the nose will relax the muscles, and like magic, those funny wrinkles will go away.

Muscle Spasms

Whether your experiencing eye or neck spasms, Botox is effective in relaxing the muscle responsible for the spasm. This treatment will temporarily fix this issue which is troublesome to many patients.

Overactive Bladder

For many women over 40 who suffer from urinary incontinence, Botox can be a Godsend. Often prescribed medication does not help, and Botox injections can be the answer. It can be injected into the bladder wall providing relief for up to six months.

Excessive Sweating

When you don’t want ever to let them see you sweat, especially in the armpits, Botox may be an effective treatment. Excessive sweating is common with many women and men particularly during big events like a wedding or a presentation at work. Botox can effectively reduce sweating for up to two years.

Grinding Teeth

Because Botox can control involuntary muscle tension and spasms, it is effective in reducing the problem with grinding your teeth. It weakens the chewing muscles which are responsible for teeth grinding, without upsetting the ability to smile or chew. The results last up to four months.

Migraines

Migraine headaches can be debilitating. Recently, the FDA has approved Botox for Migraine treatment.  Injected into areas around the neck, forehead, and temples, Botox eases the pain and discomfort associated with this uncomfortable condition.

And More

While only a few of these treatments are approved by the FDA, others are off-label treatments. Research is experimenting with Botox for multiple treatments on multiple body parts. Early findings suggest Botox can be helpful in an array of solutions including hair loss and cerebral palsy patients. It can improve a patient’s quality of life in many ways, including those outside aesthetic medicine.

For more information, call us at 815-806-9400 or Contact Us Today!

Wrinkles aren’t just your grandma’s problem anymore: Stress, pollution, and increased exposure to the sun and tanning beds are causing many people to begin getting wrinkles in their 30s and 40s. Naturally, we all want to prevent this from happening… But we can’t live our lives in a bubble. Life is going to happen, and it’s going to expose us to all of the aforementioned risk factors for premature aging.

So, should we give up and resign ourselves to the tyranny of fine lines? Absolutely not, say the majority of cosmetic surgeons. An expanding body of evidence suggests that Botox may not just treat existing wrinkles—it might also prevent wrinkles from forming. The secret? Start early. Depending on your lifestyle, starting Botox treatments in your early 30s—or even your 20s—can help to stall the formation of wrinkles.

How Does Botox Slow The Signs Of Aging?

To understand how Botox can slow the development of wrinkles and fine lines, we first need to examine how it treats them. When Botox is injected into muscle tissue, it blocks nerve signals from reaching those muscles. This prevents the muscles from contracting, thereby smoothing the appearance of the skin above. Because wrinkles are caused by the compound effect of these contractions over a number of years (in conjunction with other factors that cause a loss of skin volume, like smoking and sun exposure), injecting Botox before any visible fine lines are present could delay wrinkle formation.

When Should I Start Botox Treatments?

There’s some debate between surgeons on when the best time to start Botox treatments is. While many consumers are choosing to try Botox in their early 20s, most cosmetic surgeons recommend that you start getting injections in your early-mid 30s. There are, however, notable exceptions to this rule: If you smoke, live in a very sunny climate (or enjoy tanning), have a stressful job, or have a family history of premature aging, starting Botox in your early-mid 20s may be a better choice.

Either way, it’s important to remember that trying Botox is usually harmless at any age (its effects are temporary and will wear off within 3-6 months). If you want to try Botox just to see how it affects your “look,” you can therefore go ahead and do so without worry. And who knows? You might just free yourself from wrinkles for many years to come!

To book your Botox consultation, contact Dreyfuss Plastic Surgery today.

What do all brides have in common? They all want to look their best for their big day! If your wedding is looming on the horizon, you’ll, therefore, be happy to know there are a number of cosmetic treatments that can quickly and easily enhance your appearance… Regardless of your age. Curious to learn more about how cosmetic procedures can help give you that “wow” factor every bride wants? Read on to discover the five cosmetic procedures every bride should consider before her big day:

Botox

Even if you don’t have visible wrinkles, Botox can help prime your skin so that it’s flawlessly smooth in time for your wedding. Botox removes the forehead lines that even younger people tend to have, for instance, making it easier to apply makeup.

Lip injections

Lip fillers are an excellent choice for many brides to be: Not only do they give you fuller (and more kissable) lips, they can improve the appearance of your smile. If you have a “toothy” smile that tends to show your gums, for example, filling in your lips will change the shape of your smile so that this doesn’t happen… Even when you flash your biggest, brightest smile.

Dermal fillers

If you have visible wrinkles but aren’t ready to have a facelift yet, dermal fillers can be the perfect line-busting complement to Botox injections. Dermal fillers plump up the skin, filling in deep wrinkles and subtly changing the shape of the face so that it looks fuller and more youthful.

Microdermabrasion treatments or chemical peels

Both microdermabrasion treatments and chemical peels remove the top layer of the skin and therefore also remove fine lines, scars, age spots, and other minor imperfections. Peels force your skin to grow a fresh, glowing new surface layer that’s sure to dazzle in pictures.

Liposuction

Most brides diet and exercise religiously before their big day… Only to discover that all the healthy eating and cardio in the world won’t banish those last few patches of stubborn fat around their abdomen. Fortunately, if you’re losing an uphill battle against genetics, there’s a quick, easy alternative: Liposuction. Liposuction is the ideal solution for rapidly destroying stubborn fat deposits… And with proper maintenance, the results should last for the rest of your life.

Let us help you look and feel your best for your big day! Contact Dreyfuss Plastic Surgery for a consultation today.

Researchers associated with the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) recently gathered information on 687 patients who had received Botox and/or dermal filler treatment. 

While a summary of the full results can be found in this document; some of the noteworthy findings include the following:

Most respondents described themselves as healthy individuals.  95 percent of patients said they incorporated exercise into their lives, and 78 percent cited healthy eating habits.

  • Nearly 70 percent of the respondents who had been treated with Botox also opted for dermal filler treatment.
  • 72 percent of the respondents chose Botox to treat glabellar lines – the vertical lines that appear between your eyebrows.  
  • 63 percent of the respondents chose dermal fillers to treat facial wrinkles and folds, mostly the nasolabial folds or ‘smile lines’ that travel from the nose to each side of the mouth. 
  • Within the respondents, the average or ‘typical’ patient was “a married, working mother between 41-55 years of age with a household income of under $100,000.”
  • 66 percent of the respondents said they received Botox treatment 2-3 times per year.
  • 87 percent reported that they discussed their treatments with others, and 70 percent said they received support from the people they told.

Last week, the Food & Drug Administration granted clearance to Medicis Pharmaceutical for their new wrinkle reducer, Dysport. Plastic surgeons and dermatologists may have the drug available for cosmetic use in just 30 – 60 days.

Dysport will compete with Botox, as both drugs perform the same basic function – neuromuscular blocking to relax and prevent wrinkles. Dysport however, is said to be more diluted than Botox and thus more cost effective for providers. The recent FDA approval of dysport also came with a unique warning label describing the risks associated with the botulinum toxin.

Rather than rebranding the drug ‘Reloxin’ as planned, Medicis decided to retain its original European name, Dysport

The April 30th announcement coincided with a 3 percent drop in Allergan’s (maker of Botox) shares, and a 14 percent increase of Medicis’ shares. Analysts and industry professionals expect Dysport to carry a slightly lower price tag than Botox, and say it could capture as much as 30 percent of the current market.

For more information on wrinkle treatments in Chicago and Munster, Indiana see our homepage.

A medical study on the safety of the wrinkle relaxer ‘Reloxin’ was just published in the March-April issue of Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.  The drug was evaluated for use on moderate to severe forehead wrinkles (or glabeller lines), and the results sound optimistic.

The FDA has not yet given its approval for Reloxin to be sold in the U.S., but spokespersons from Medicis Pharmaceutical say clearance is expected late this year.  Reloxin has the potential to become a real competitor for Botox in the U.S. cosmetic surgery market – a market which allowed Allergan Inc. to net $1.3 billion in revenue last year with Botox.

One California dermatologist who participated in the study commented to Bloomberg news, saying “the side effects are the same as Botox” and “many of our patients liked it even better.”

The composition of both Reloxin and Botox is very similar; they each contain a particular ‘botulinum toxin’ that has been proven to relax the muscles that cause wrinkles in the face.

Reloxin has actually been sold overseas under the name ‘Dysport’ for about 15 years, but Botox has still managed to claim over 80 percent of the worldwide market for the neurotoxin.  One market analyst speculates that “Reloxin may be priced 15 percent lower than Botox” which could allow it to take a significant share of that market.