Plastic surgeon Dr. John J. O'Brien Jr. offers St. Petersburg, FL women and men several nonsurgical procedures for rejuvenating the skin. Our office is pleased to offer BOTOX® and Wrinkle Relaxers to area individuals. These injectable treatments offer outstanding results and are very common among both women and men. These injections can make a significant improvement to dynamic lines, which are made from expressive movement with the contracting muscles on the forehead and around the eyes. Dynamic wrinkles are formed by recurrent facial expressions and movements (like frowning, laughing, and smiling) that over time make the muscles of the face taut. This causes the skin over the muscle to have a furrowed line that can be seen even when the face is resting. BOTOX® and Wrinkle Relaxers are most commonly administered by plastic surgeon Dr. John J. O'Brien Jr. between the eyebrows, around the eyes (Crow's feet), and across the forehead. Hear more about BOTOX® and Wrinkle Relaxers at St. Petersburg Center for Plastic Surgery to make your face appear refreshed.

BOTOX® and Wrinkle Relaxers are great for patients who wish to soften the visible look of dynamic lines and wrinkles on their upper face without surgery. They can also be used as preventive anti-aging treatments even if you do not show signs of aging — keep in mind how often you find yourself making facial expressions. It's a terrific noninvasive treatment if you are frustrated by forehead wrinkles or parallel lines between the brows. It is also a solution for lines around the eyes. If you experience more severe and deeper lines, a filler product may be more suitable. In addition, if you are over the age of 50 with sagging skin and widespread wrinkles, you may be considered for facelift surgery. This delivers a more impactful result and it is longer lasting. St. Petersburg Center for Plastic Surgery offers eyelid surgeries, facelifts, and brow lifts as effective options. Many patients at St. Petersburg Center for Plastic Surgery notice visible improvement in their dynamic wrinkles 1 – 3 days following their injections that usually remain for as long as four months.

BOTOX® and Wrinkle Relaxers are completed as an outpatient procedure conveniently at St. Petersburg Center for Plastic Surgery. If it is your first time visiting our office in St. Petersburg, FL to get the injections, we often perform the treatment on the same day as your initial consultation with Dr. O'Brien. A local anesthetic or numbing cream is generally unnecessary because the injections use a fine needle that creates very little pain; it may be applied if requested. You will be asked to make different expressions using your upper face, like frowning, squinting, smiling, etc., to help us to plan where the injections will be placed. The face will be prepared and the injections will be applied with a fine needle, followed with a cool compress to help lessen swelling, bruising, and discomfort. You can ask for a numbing cream to help make the procedure more comfortable, but it usually is unnecessary. BOTOX treatments typically take around 10 – 15 minutes, then you may resume your usual routine but you should avoid touching your face for at least a day.

Following the procedure, you may get back to your daily routine, although strenuous activity should be skipped for a minimum of one day. You will be advised to sleep with your head elevated for at least one night and to avoid touching your face, which can accidentally spread the injections to other areas. The injected sections of your face can appear bruised, swollen, or red for 2 – 3 days, but you should not develop any serious or long-lasting side effects. In many cases, it usually takes around one week before the final results of injections can be seen. The results usually last 3 – 4 months. You can talk to your injector about when to make your next appointment at St. Petersburg Center for Plastic Surgery to extend your results.

How much does BOTOX® and Wrinkle Relaxers cost?

The cost for BOTOX® and Wrinkle Relaxers will be based on the amount of product that is needed. This varies to fit your unique goals. In your consultation, Dr. O'Brien will develop your custom treatment plan and then he can discuss cost estimates. BOTOX® produces wonderful results when injected by an experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. O'Brien. However, it can be dangerous if performed by someone who doesn't have experience, which is why you should avoid any place that is advertising discounted or off-brand injections. If you'd like to save money, ask for more information on the Brilliant Distinctions Rewards Program, which allows you to get points for BOTOX® and other products from Allergan, including Juvéderm. Ask if we have any specials at St. Petersburg Center for Plastic Surgery and which methods of payment we take.

Can BOTOX® and Wrinkle Relaxers be combined with other treatments?
St. Petersburg Center for Plastic Surgery performs several cosmetic treatments, which may be added to enhance you BOTOX® and Wrinkle Relaxer results. Based on your concerns and wants, your personalized plan might include BOTOX® and Wrinkle Relaxers, an injectable filler for static lines, plus a skin treatment. We encourage you to be honest during your consultation so we can develop a plan that delivers amazing results.

How often should I get BOTOX® and Wrinkle Relaxers injections?
Your BOTOX® and Wrinkle Relaxers results may be visible for 3 – 4 months. In your initial consultation, your injector will recommend how often you should schedule appointments at our office in St. Petersburg, FL to sustain your results. You might want to get treatments more often or further apart once you see how long your initial results last.

Are BOTOX® and Wrinkle Relaxers safe?
As long as it is used correctly, BOTOX® and Wrinkle Relaxers should not cause serious complications. However, it's important to select someone with training injecting BOTOX®, like Dr. O'Brien. Overusing BOTOX® and Wrinkle Relaxers may create bad results. An experienced practitioner will apply the right dose to safely relax the muscles causing the unwanted wrinkles without affecting nearby muscles. Quickly becoming one of the most requested cosmetic treatments, it's considered safe and has earned approval from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Along with its cosmetic uses, BOTOX® and Wrinkle Relaxers can also be used as a treatment for medical problems like excessive sweating, facial spasms, migraines, and uncontrollable blinking.

How long will my results last?
Your BOTOX® and Wrinkle Relaxers results may be visible for as long as four months. Usually, patients make an appointment every quarter to maintain their results; however, you can come back earlier. If you're using BOTOX® and Wrinkle Relaxers before wrinkles are visible for a proactive measure, you can schedule treatments further apart. After hearing your concerns and developing your injection plan, Dr. O'Brien will be able to tell you when you should make your next visit.

What's the difference between wrinkle relaxers and fillers?
Injectable wrinkle relaxers (including BOTOX®) and injectable wrinkle fillers (including Restylane and Juvéderm) are both procedures that reduce wrinkles and correct fine lines. BOTOX® works by relaxing overused muscles in your face that create dynamic wrinkles, including frown lines (which appear between your eyebrows), Crow's feet (which appear in the outer edges of your eyes), smile lines, and forehead wrinkles. Injectable fillers increase volume below the skin to correct depressions and improve static wrinkles. After hearing your goals, Dr. O'Brien may suggest BOTOX®, fillers, or a liquid "facelift," which combines both.