Ever since Botox was approved by the FDA in 2002 for the cosmetic treatment of frown lines, it has continued to be the most popular facial anti-aging procedure for people who want to avoid cosmetic surgery. In 2013, the FDA additionally approved Botox for the cosmetic reduction of crow’s feet around the eyes.
This has encouraged many more people to seek Botox as an injectable, in-office procedure to rejuvenate the face without experiencing any significant discomfort or downtime. Dr. Eric Yavrouian is an experienced facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon providing Botox to patients in Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Greater Los Angeles CA, and surrounding locations.
Advantages
Lateral canthal lines, commonly known as crow’s feet, occur at the far out corners of the eyes when the eye muscles contract due to repetitive facial expressions over a period of time. Smiling, frowning, and squinting are some such expressions that can cause the appearance of crow’s feet.
Botox is injected directly into the wrinkle forming muscles that have contracted over time. It causes the overactive muscles to relax, leading to disappearance of the crow’s feet and smoothing of the skin. Patients can achieve a rejuvenated look without having to undergo cosmetic surgery or another invasive procedure.
Approval from the FDA
The manufacturer of Botox, Allergan, Inc, earned the FDA’s approval for Botox treatment of crow’s feet after it was able to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of the procedure in a scientific study involving 833 adult participants. The participants were divided into two groups, out of which one received Botox injections to reduce crow’s feet.
Conspicuous reduction in the appearance of crow’s feet was noticed in the group that received Botox injections as compared to the other group. While the treatment is now FDA approved, great caution must be exercised in receiving this procedure from a qualified Botox expert. Leading facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Yavrouian receives patients from Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Greater Los Angeles CA, and nearby areas for Botox.
How does Botox Work?
The key ingredient in Botox is botulinum toxin, which can reduce or remove the appearance of crow’s feet for a temporary period of four to six months with a single treatment. The neurotoxin is injected directly into the underlying facial muscle that is overactive and causing crow’s feet.
It works instantly to cut off the neural communication between the brain and the muscle, inhibiting the muscular contraction. As soon as the muscle relaxes, it will smooth the skin on the outside and the canthal lines will start fading away.
Botox Caution
The FDA approval for Botox to treat crow’s feet comes with a clear FDA warning that if the toxin spreads to areas away from the site of injection, it might lead to symptoms of botulism. On the other hand, if Botox is provided in recommended doses by a qualified expert, it has never been known to cause such adverse impacts. The skin around the eyes is particularly sensitive, and Botox treatment for crow’s feet should only be performed by an authoritative facial aesthetic specialist or surgeon.
For more information about treatments and procedures by Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr. Eric J. Yavrouian, serving patients in and around Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank and the Greater Los Angeles, CA area call 818-241-2150 or click here to contact him for a consultation.
