BOTOX® in Tucson, AZ

To diminish the effects of aging and prevent lines, wrinkles, and lax skin from forming on the forehead and upper face, Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery in Tucson, AZ is proud to offer effective cosmetic BOTOX injections to local patients. This facial rejuvenation procedure provides amazing results and is popular among both men and women. BOTOX can make a dramatic enhancement to dynamic facial wrinkles, which are a result of expressions and movement caused by contracting muscles in the forehead. These lines can disappear as the face relaxes, but dynamic creases may still exist. BOTOX is a purified strain of botulinum toxin (type A) that temporarily blocks the movements of the underlying tissue and muscle. To reduce the appearance of these dynamic lines and wrinkles, BOTOX is injected to relax and soften the skin. This injectable is placed by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Arun Rao between the brows, on the Crow's feet, and throughout the forehead.

Over-the-counter topical treatments can provide some relief to dynamic wrinkles, but the results are often temporary. BOTOX offers a long-lasting solution that can take years off your appearance. Appointments are short and simple, with no downtime required afterward. Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery always strives to provide natural-looking results that leave patients feeling confident about their appearance. We understand that everyone's needs are different, which is why we tailor each treatment to the individual.

BOTOX injections are performed for women and men alike who hope to reduce and soften the appearance of dynamic wrinkles, lines, and moderate folds throughout their face. Regardless of your age, BOTOX can be a wonderful preventive treatment even if static wrinkles have not yet formed. This formula continues to be an effective nonsurgical solution for those who have obvious forehead lines or frown lines between the brows. Additionally, this injectable can address Crow's feet around the eyes. If you have deeper lines, a combination of BOTOX and a dermal filler may be a great option to fully smooth your skin. If you're older with moderate to severe skin laxity, you may be a better candidate for a facelift, which can provide a more dramatic result with effects that last for years. Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery offers various facelifts, blepharoplasties, and brow lifts as great options along with BOTOX for enhanced results.

BOTOX injectable treatments are performed as an outpatient procedure right at Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery. If it is your first time to visit us in Tucson, AZ for BOTOX, we typically perform the injection during the same appointment as your consultation. You will be asked to make several facial expressions using the upper face, such as squinting, frowning, etc., which will allow us to identify where the injections should be placed. The skin will be cleansed and BOTOX will be injected under the skin using a fine-gauge needle, followed by a cold compress to help minimize discomfort and bruising. You can request a numbing cream to make the procedure more comfortable, but this is generally not needed. BOTOX injections typically take about 10 – 15 minutes, after which you can get back to your normal day as soon as you feel able.

After your BOTOX session, you will be allowed to return to your regular schedule, but strenuous activities, like exercise, should be postponed for at least a day. You will be asked to sleep with your head propped up for the first night and to avoid bending over for four hours. The treated regions of your face may become swollen, bruised, or red for a couple of days, but you will not have any lasting or serious side effects. In the majority of cases, it typically takes about 4 – 7 days before the full effects of BOTOX become visible. The results generally last 3 – 4 months. You can ask your injector how often you should schedule touch-up injectable sessions at Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery to refresh your results.

How much does BOTOX cost?
The total cost for BOTOX injections will depend on how much product is used. This will vary, depending on your needs and goals. During your consultation, Dr. Rao will form your personal treatment plan before he can estimate your costs. BOTOX can produce beautiful results when performed by a skilled board-certified plastic surgeon, like Dr. Rao, but it can also be unsafe if done by someone without training; this is why it's better to avoid places offering cheap or knock-off injections. To save money, ask about the Brilliant Distinctions Rewards Program so you can start earning points for BOTOX and other Allergan products our office provides, like Juvéderm.

How long will my results last?
Improvements from BOTOX can last up to four months. Most patients tend to schedule a visit once every season to maintain their youthful results, but you may come back sooner if desired or required. If you're getting BOTOX while you're younger as a preventive treatment, you may be able to schedule visits further apart. After listening to your goals and forming your treatment plan, Dr. Rao will be able to estimate when you should schedule your next appointment.

What's the difference between wrinkle relaxers and fillers?
Wrinkle relaxers (like BOTOX) and wrinkle fillers (like Juvéderm and Restylane) are both treatments that improve the appearance of wrinkles and smooth fine lines. BOTOX relaxes overused facial muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles, like frown lines (between the eyebrows), Crow's feet (in the outer corners of the eyes), forehead wrinkles, and smile lines. Dermal fillers add volume under the skin to correct hollow areas and decrease fine lines throughout your face. Depending on your goals, Dr. Rao may recommend BOTOX, fillers, or a combination of both for a "liquid facelift."

What's the difference between BOTOX, Dysport, and Xeomin?
BOTOX, Dysport, and Xeomin are brands of injectable wrinkle relaxers that use botulinum toxin (type A). They all relax facial muscles to smooth dynamic wrinkles, but each formula is designed to suit specific areas and needs. There are subtle differences between them, including the amount of product in each dose, formula spread, and the length of your results. Dr. Rao will choose the best product to achieve your goals.

Is BOTOX safe?
When applied properly, BOTOX rarely causes any complications. With that said, it is important to choose someone who has experience and training in handling this medication, like board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rao. Because over-injecting BOTOX can give you an undesirable outcome, a skilled injector will use just enough of the medication to effectively freeze the muscles that cause wrinkles while leaving nearby muscles unaffected. One of the most popular cosmetic treatments on the market today, BOTOX is safe and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In addition to its cosmetic uses, this injectable is also frequently used to treat medical issues, including facial spasms, excessive sweating, uncontrollable blinking, and migraines.

Over time, permanent creases develop in the skin. Contractions of the facial muscles associated with expressions, such as smiling, raising or furrowing the brow or squinting, cause this undesired creasing, which leads to wrinkles. However, you don't have to stop smiling or expressing yourself to diminish these lines and maintain a youthful appearance: BOTOX Cosmetic works to relax the muscles in the treated areas in order to reduce moderate to severe facial lines. To learn more about this incredibly popular and effective treatment, schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Arun Rao in Tucson, AZ.