What Is Botox® Cosmetic?
Botox® injections temporarily remove crow’s feet, frown lines, and other types of facial wrinkles. Treatment with this popular neuromodulator is both non-surgical and minimally invasive.
The Botox® Cosmetic solution is FDA-approved and safely relaxes specific muscles in the face that cause wrinkles. Injections usually lasts up to four months and injections can be repeated as necessary when facial wrinkles reappear.
The Botox® Injection Procedure
The treatment process involves applying very low doses of Botox® Cosmetic in specific areas of the face. Almost no redness or swelling occurs following injection. No anesthesia is required and the entire procedure takes no more than 10 minutes.
Recovery
After Botox® Cosmetic treatment, patients may immediately return to work and resume normal activities. Exercise is strictly prohibited for the first 24 hours after treatment. It is essential to keep your head elevated (e.g., do not lie down or bend over) for approximately two to three hours after your procedure. Treatment will gradually take effect in three to five days.
Potential Risk
While uncommon, some side effects include headache, flu-like symptoms, temporary eyelid droop, and nausea. Our cosmetic surgery office in Nashville, Tennessee, uses only FDA-approved Botox® Cosmetic brand toxin, manufactured by Allergan.
Dysport®
Dysport® helps smooth the appearance of moderate to severe wrinkles that form in the space between the eyebrows (glabella), the forehead, and around the eyes (crow’s feet). It is a non-surgical, minimally invasive injection that lasts for three to six months.
Dysport® is a neuromodulator made from the same protein used in Botox®. The primary difference between the two treatments is that Dysport® spreads a bit more over the treated muscles with a single injection, allowing for additional control over the final result. It is particularly effective for those who may have developed an immunity to Botox®.
The Dysport® Procedure
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A skilled injector introduces Dysport® into the muscle using a fine needle and a topical anesthetic. The treatment only takes a few minutes and is available at our Nashville, Tennessee, cosmetic office.
Recovery
Most patients see improvements within two to three days of receiving the treatment. There is no recovery period required, and you may immediately return to work and resume normal activities. Exercise is strictly prohibited for the first 24 hours after treatment. It is important to keep your head elevated following the procedure. Do not rub the treatment area.
Potential Risk
While side effects are rare, some risks include a headache, flu-like symptoms, temporary eyelid droop, and nausea. Our cosmetic surgery office in Nashville, Tennessee uses only FDA-approved Dysport® brand toxin, manufactured by Galderma.
Jeuveau
Jeuveau is the latest treatment for frown (glabellar) lines, having received FDA approval in January of 2019. Jeuveau contains the same active ingredient as Botox, but its unique carrier proteins set it apart. The carrier proteins in Jeuveau affect how it diffuses into tissue, so this injectable may create superior results for some patients, depending on their individual physiology. If you’re not fully satisfied with the results of Botox or Dysport, Jeuveau may be an effective, affordable alternative.
Jeuveau injections typically take under 15 minutes to complete, and you’ll be able to return to your normal activities immediately after your procedure. Exercise is strictly prohibited for the first 24 hours after treatment. No severe side effects link with the use of Jeuveau, and the treatment itself is painless. In some cases, patients have experienced mild temporary bruising around their injection sites or a slight headache after having Jeuveau, but these symptoms disappear after 24 to 48 hours.
The full results of Jeuveau will emerge within five to seven days, and you can expect your injections to last for three to four months. You can safely repeat Jeuveau injections at regular intervals to maintain consistent results.
FAQs: Botox & Dysport in Nashville
Side effects from Botox cosmetic are typically mild and short-lived when injections are performed by experienced providers. The most common are pinpoint swelling, minor redness, or light bruising at injection sites. A temporary headache or a “heavy” feeling in the treated area may occur as the neuromodulator settles. Rare side effects can include eyelid or brow heaviness if the product diffuses beyond the intended muscle, something minimized by precise placement and careful aftercare. You should avoid rubbing treated areas, engaging in strenuous exercise for the rest of the day, and lying flat for several hours. Call the office if you notice unusual asymmetry or persistent discomfort. Most patients resume everyday routines immediately.
Botox cosmetic and Dysport injection relaxes overactive muscles that create dynamic wrinkles like frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet. Dermal fillers restore or add volume to soften folds (like nasolabial creases), lift shadows, and contour cheeks, chin, or lips. Often, both can be combined for comprehensive facial rejuvenation with neuromodulators smoothing motion-related lines while fillers address volume loss. Results appear on different timelines. Botox typically starts working within a few days and lasts about 3 to 4 months. Most hyaluronic acid fillers show immediate improvement and can last several months to over a year. Your plan is customized to your anatomy, goals, and social downtime preferences.
Yes, treating crow’s feet with Botox cosmetic is one of its most popular and effective uses. By softening the pull of tiny muscles at the outer corners of the eyes, Botox can reduce etched lines while preserving a natural, expressive smile. Some patients also benefit from a subtle brow lift effect when specific forehead points are treated to open the eye area. Expect results to begin in about 3 to 5 days, with complete smoothing around two weeks. Maintenance every 3 to 4 months keeps the outer eye area looking bright and rested.
The Plastic Surgery Center of Nashville recommends postponing Botox cosmetic and Dysport injection during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Though systemic absorption is minimal when properly injected, these products have not been studied in pregnant patients, and caution is best for mother and baby. Many patients choose a pre-pregnancy refresh and then pause until after delivery and nursing. When you’re ready to resume, our team will reassess muscle activity, update dosing, and resume a maintenance schedule.
After Botox cosmetic or Dysport injection, most patients begin to see a softening of lines within 3 to 5 days, with peak smoothing at about two weeks. Longevity averages 3 to 4 months, though individual factors such as metabolism, muscle strength, dose, and treatment history can affect duration. Consistent maintenance helps train the muscles, and some patients notice that results last a bit longer over time. If a special event is coming up, schedule two weeks in advance to allow for a full onset.
Good candidates want to soften dynamic lines from expression, most commonly the “11s” between brows, horizontal forehead creases, and crow’s feet. During consultation, our team will evaluate your muscle patterns, skin quality, brow position, and goals. You should be in overall good health, not pregnant or nursing, and free of active skin infections in the treatment area. If volume loss or etched folds are your primary concern, your plan may include dermal fillers in addition to Botox cosmetic or Dysport injection. We prioritize subtlety, facial balance, and function, aiming for results that look refreshed, not overdone.
Dosing is individualized. Stronger muscles or deeper lines typically require more units, while first-time patients may start conservatively and adjust at follow-up. Our team at Plastic Surgery Center of Nashville will map your unique expression patterns, including frown lines, forehead, and crow’s feet, to determine precise micro-placements. Men often need slightly higher doses due to thicker muscle mass. Expect an in-person assessment to set expectations, discuss your budget, and outline a maintenance schedule. A 2-week refinement visit can be arranged to polish results if any small touch-ups are desired.
Arrive with clean skin and skip heavy makeup around treatment zones. Afterward, avoid strenuous workouts, saunas, or facial massages for the rest of the day, and do not press or rub injection sites. Keep your head upright for several hours. Mild redness or swelling usually settles quickly, and makeup can typically be applied later the same day. A 2-week check helps confirm full onset and symmetry, especially when it’s your first visit or you’re trying a new area, like crow’s feet.
No, our approach at Plastic Surgery Center of Nashville preserves natural brow movement and eye expression, which is particularly important around the crow’s feet where smiling is essential to warmth and personality. If you prefer a very light “baby Botox” look, dosing can be tailored accordingly. At your 2-week milestone, adjustments can fine-tune lift, symmetry, or softness. The goal is a rested, confident version of you—coworkers should notice you look great, not guess you had Botox cosmetic.
Yes, additional concerns beyond lines can be addressed. For TMJ-related jaw clenching or masseter hypertrophy, precise Botox injections can soften muscle overactivity and slim a bulky jawline. Platysmal banding in the neck may be improved with small doses placed along the bands to achieve smoother contours. Some migraine sufferers benefit from neuromodulator protocols that reduce headache frequency and intensity. These uses are highly customized, and your consultation will determine whether Botox cosmetic or Dysport injection is appropriate and how it integrates into your overall plan.