How Botox® Works Behind the Scenes to Minimize Wrinkles

While wrinkles and fine lines are a natural part of being human, so is the desire to look and feel your best. Botox®, an injectable cosmetic treatment, works behind the scenes on your skin, smoothing away the signs of aging for a more youthful appearance and renewed confidence.

Hilla Steinberg, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist surgeon and aesthetic medicine specialist, offers Botox treatments at her boutique practice on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York. As an expert in both ocular anatomy and facial aesthetics, Dr. Steinberg’s deep understanding of facial structure ensures precise and natural-looking results.

With about 9.5 million procedures in the United States in 2023, up from around 5 million in 2019, injectable neuromodulators like Botox have taken the cosmetic world by storm. Here, learn how Botox can minimize wrinkles.

Stopping dynamic wrinkles at the source

Each time you squint, smile, or make other natural facial expressions, these actions etch fine lines and wrinkles into your skin. Botox, derived from the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, is a neurotoxin that works by blocking nerve signals responsible for muscle contraction. 

By temporarily paralyzing the underlying muscles, Botox injections effectively target dynamic wrinkles — those caused by facial expressions — such as:

• Crow’s feet, or lines that radiate from the corners of the eyes
• Forehead lines that appear when you frown or raise your eyebrows
• Bunny lines at the bridge of the nose
• Perioral or lipstick lines around your mouth that appear when you pucker your lips

For static wrinkles, or deeper lines caused by loss of volume, Dr. Steinberg may recommend a combination of Botox and facial fillers, which plump and smooth the skin.

Rapid anti-aging results with no downtime

During your Botox treatment, Dr. Steinberg uses a fine needle to skillfully inject small amounts of the neuromodulator into the targeted treatment areas below the skin. If you’re particularly sensitive to needles, a topical numbing cream can minimize discomfort.

While most patients can resume their daily activities immediately after treatment, you may experience some mild redness, bruising, or swelling near the injection sites. However, these side effects are generally short-lived, resolving in a day or two.

You typically see the effects three to four days after your Botox session, with full results appearing within two weeks. The treated muscles remain relaxed for up to four months, after which the effects gradually wear off and dynamic wrinkles may reappear.

To maintain a youthful appearance, Dr. Steinberg recommends scheduling your next Botox treatment when you notice those pesky lines creeping back up. Regular injections help prevent new wrinkles from forming and, over time, prolong your results by training your facial muscles to remain relaxed.

Ready to take years off of your look? Dr. Steinberg works with you to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific aesthetic goals. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and discover the transformative power of Botox.