Botox Cosmetic is a nonsurgical procedure for facial rejuvenation that reduces the appearance of forehead furrows, frown lines, crow’s feet, and lines and wrinkles of the lower face and neck caused by repeated muscle movement. Botox is a simple procedure that is especially effective in patients experiencing early signs of aging. The face is the most expressive part of our body, conveying joy in laughter or smiling, and frustration or worry through frowning and forehead furrows. Eventually these emotions become etched into our faces, even at rest, leaving us looking older than we feel. Botox erases these lines, leaving the patient with noticeably smoother skin without the need for surgery.

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS has been named one of the 100 Most Experienced Botox physicians in the United States. In Brevard County, Dr. Clevens and his team use more Botox than everyone else in the county combined. Dr. Clevens has been honored with esteemed appointment to Allergan’s Botox National Education Faculty for Botox injections. Allergan’s National Education Faculty (NEF) is a prestigious society of Medical Doctors who have been certified by Allergan not only in administering Botox treatments, but specifically certified by Allergan to train other physicians in the administration of Botox Cosmetic. Dr. Clevens’ membership in the NEF assures you the highest level of skill and expertise in the administration of Botox injections.

Botox Cosmetic has gained great popularity, and for good reason. These treatments are quick and easy for patients to get — you can even schedule your Botox treatment on your lunch break. Plus, Botox effectively addresses some of the most noticeable signs of aging, lines and wrinkles that form around our eyes.

Many patients start Botox treatments in their 20s and 30s, before or at the first signs of wrinkles. The reason is Botox provides great preventative maintenance, helping patients stop the signs of aging and delaying the need for more invasive procedures. For many men and women, this treatment is as routine as getting a haircut or using sunscreen. You can receive injections indefinitely and its effectiveness will not lessen.

Botox Cosmetic is a highly refined purified protein that has been proven safe in millions of injections over the past couple decades. When injected through the skin into the muscles responsible for facial wrinkling, it softens the muscle. Since the muscle is temporarily weakened, the appearance of lines and wrinkles is greatly diminished and beautifully smoothed.

The best candidates for Botox treatment include physically healthy people who are realistic in their expectations and desire to improve the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. This treatment offers an exceptional opportunity to smooth lines and wrinkles affecting the brow, forehead and crow’s feet in a brief, safe procedure that takes just a few minutes and lasts for several months. Keep in mind, Botox is not a cure-all, and may not be the solution to deep lines and creases. Other procedures such as  Restylane or Radiesse dermal fillers or laser skin resurfacing may address more advanced signs of aging. The best way to learn more about whether Botox is right for you is to meet in consultation with one of our specialists. 

There are two different types of wrinkles on the face: static wrinkles and dynamic wrinkles. Static wrinkles are present even with complete stillness and lack of expression on the face. Dynamic wrinkles are those that appear or become significantly more apparent with facial expression. Botox Cosmetic is ideal for dynamic wrinkles of the face and is used to relax those facial muscles whose excessive action causes wrinkling of the skin. For example, the deep lines between the eyebrows (frown lines) are the most popular treatment sites.

Dr. Clevens uses a very fine needle to carefully place Botox. Anesthesia is typically not required. If pain is a concern of yours, our team can provide a cold pack or anesthetic cream to numb the area. We also offer Clevens Comfort+ which is a patient-administered medicine that helps relieve anxiety and discomfort during injectable treatments.

Our specialists will first meet with you in consultation to discuss your goals. Botox Cosmetic treatment can be performed more conservatively, for example, if your goal is to have greater facial animation. You can discuss your preferences with your provider prior to treatment. Your master injector will examine your ability to move facial muscles in order to determine where the Botox injections should be administered. Using a small syringe containing the Botox product, our specialists will then gently administer several tiny injections directly into the muscles. The actual treatment takes just minutes to perform.

Part of the beauty of Botox Cosmetic treatments in the simplicity of the procedure in comparison with it’s effectiveness – the injections can take just 10 minutes to complete in the skilled hands of our specialists Dr. Clevens and Dr. Khelemsky.

Botox treatment is just like any other injection. Patients may experience a sensation similar to a pin prick or experience a slight burning sensation when the product is injected, but this is typically very brief. The needle used is very small and slender. Our team can also provide ice packs or offer you Clevens Comfort+ to relieve anxiety and any discomfort during treatment. 

You really won't have any "recovery" after a Botox treatment, because patients are immediately able to return to their usual activities. Patients can have injections performed on their lunch hour and return to work afterwards. Some minor pain, inflammation, swelling, redness or bruising may occur at the injection site, and is temporary. Botox typically takes three to five days for treatment to show its effect.

Treatment with Botox Cosmetic (or other relaxers such as Xeomin, Dysport, or Jeuveau) is generally a safe procedure, though patients should be informed that every medical procedure carries certain risks and the potential for complications. Potential side effects or complications of the procedure may include bruising, numbness, temporary eyelid droop and failure to achieve a fully satisfactory result. For best results, make sure your provider is a master injector who has extensive knowledge of facial anatomy and experience performing Botox treatments, such as the facial plastic surgeons at Clevens Face and Body Specialists in Melbourne and Merritt Island, Florida. 

After your Botox Cosmetic procedure, you can expect your results to last about three months. You may notice after four months or so your results gradually wear off over time, after which repeat treatments will be necessary to maintain the results. This procedure can be safely repeated indefinitely.