What is Baby Botox?
Cosmetic treatments like dermal fillers and Botox treatments have become popular facial rejuvenation methods because they are immediately effective and do not require any recovery time. The most well-known neurotoxin is traditional Botox, the biggest name in cosmetic injectables. Botox injections use a neurotoxin, botulinum toxin A, to reduce the appearance of fine lines and dynamic wrinkles. Botox operates by essentially “freezing” the signal between nerve endings and targeted muscle groups, which, in turn, stops dynamic wrinkles from forming. It’s a fantastic treatment for those looking to reduce the appearance of wrinkles on the skin without the need for invasive procedures that require a plastic surgeon. Patients can receive Botox injectable treatments at board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green’s New York City dermatology office in regular doses, Baby Botox, and micro-doses, creating naturally subtle results and erasing signs of aging even before they set in.
Botox has been given a reputation for freezing facial expressions due to overzealous injections by less experienced injectors that use a “one size fits all” approach to Botox®. For this reason, Dr. Michele Green has developed a carefully tailored system to Botox, known as “Baby Botox.” Baby Botox uses lower-dose micro-injections to personalize Botox injections better, providing subtle, natural results that allow the facial muscles to remain active. It’s an excellent option for those looking to reduce the appearance of mild crow’s feet, forehead lines, or frown lines without limiting any muscle movement, and it has also become a popular option to prevent wrinkles from forming in younger patients.
If you want to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face while maintaining an incredibly natural look, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green is here to help. Dr. Michele Green is an internationally known cosmetic dermatologist in NYC and an expert in Botox treatments, skincare, and dermal fillers, such as Juvederm, Restylane, and Sculptra injections for replacing lost volume in the midface, eliminating fine lines and wrinkles, enhancing the chin, and as lip fillers. Her “less is more” philosophy of cosmetic injections has led to Dr. Green being voted one of the best Dermatologists in New York by such publications as Super Doctors, New York Magazine, and Castle Connolly. With over 25 years of experience in cosmetic dermatology, Dr. Green will give you the best non-invasive cosmetic results without plastic surgery.
What is Baby Botox and how does it compare to Traditional Botox?
Baby Botox is an exciting innovation in the world of anti-aging injectables, as it allows patients to reduce the signs of aging on the face simply by using fewer units of the same FDA-approved Botox formulation that has revitalized the look of millions across the globe. The emphasis on small doses of Botox allows for greater flexibility in the areas of the face that are treated, which can help balance out minor asymmetries or different facial muscles being used. It’s ideal for those with mild to moderate fine lines and wrinkles or for younger patients who are hoping to prevent the development of dynamic wrinkles in the first place. Dr. Michele Green has injected “baby Botox” for over two decades, helping patients achieve their desired results. There is no standard amount of Botox used during a Baby Botox procedure. Instead, Dr. Green will examine each patient’s facial movement and contour to determine the amount of Botox needed in the targeted areas to produce natural-looking results.
When “Traditional Botox” or “Regular Botox” is referred to in comparison to Baby Botox, providers are talking about Botox injections with the total recommended units of Botox for a particular treatment area. Traditional Botox is FDA-approved to treat many cosmetic and medical conditions, including anti-aging treatments, such as forehead lines, crow’s feet, and frown lines, and conditions such as excessive sweating, migraines, and muscle spasms. Like Baby Botox, traditional Botox is injected directly into the muscle where the botulinum toxin type A acts as a neuromodulator, blocking the nerve endings that would tell the muscle to contract. This “freezes” the muscle, causing the muscle to relax and any dynamic wrinkles that have formed in the area to smooth out. Traditional Botox results are more dramatic than Baby Botox, which uses smaller amounts for treatment.
How does Baby Botox treatment work?
Baby Botox has the same formulation as traditional Botox with the active ingredient botulinum toxin type A, which blocks the neurotransmitters on the muscles responsible for dynamic wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles are the creases that form due to repeated contraction of facial muscles, such as the marionette lines around the mouth that form when you smile, crow’s feet, which are creases that form at the corners of the eyes when you smile or squint, horizontal forehead lines that form when you raise your eyebrows, or frown lines that form when you furrow your brow. In youth, the creases formed by dynamic wrinkles will only be visible when facial expressions are made, and the wrinkles will smooth out when the face is at rest. As we age, collagen production decreases, and repeated use of facial muscles causes dynamic wrinkles to etch into the skin. Baby Botox can be injected into the muscles responsible for dynamic wrinkles to treat mild to moderate fine lines and prevent dynamic wrinkles from forming in the first place.
The process for Baby Botox treatment is simple and convenient. First, you’ll meet with Dr. Green to discuss your medical history, individual needs, and aesthetic goals, and she will tell you everything you need to know about your treatment options. Then, Dr. Green will observe how your facial expressions activate different muscles to determine where treatment will be most effective. From there, you’ll work with Dr. Green to develop a treatment plan to help you achieve your ideal look. When you come into the New York office for a Baby Botox session, a topical numbing cream will be applied to prevent discomfort. Then, Dr. Green will gently inject Botox into the predetermined injection sites. After this, you can resume regular activity and see results in a few days. Common side effects include mild swelling near the injection site, which should subside over the first few days.
What is considered Baby Botox vs. regular Botox?
Baby Botox and regular Botox are the same in formulation and strength but differ in the amount of Botox used and the injection approach. Baby Botox is used in smaller doses with a more careful, subtle approach to treatment to provide natural-looking results by injecting fewer units of Botox closer to the skin’s surface. For example, regular Botox will use 35 units in the forehead, whereas Baby Botox might only use ten units, depending on the patient’s aesthetic goals and desired results. No set amount of Botox defines Baby Botox; instead, Baby Botox is simply a micro-dose of regular Botox.
What are the side effects of Baby Botox treatment?
Botox injections are FDA-approved for treating fine lines, wrinkles, and creases on the face, meaning the procedure has been deemed safe and effective after clinical trials. Most common side effects associated with the treatment are mild and will go away within one to two weeks of the procedure without intervention. These side effects include bruising, swelling, redness, irritation at the injection site, and temporary muscle weakness. Baby Botox has an even lower risk of adverse events because less Botox is used per treatment. However, Baby Botox is often injected in the lower face, such as the marionette and bunny lines, meaning precision is paramount. Visiting an inexperienced injector can be more dangerous, as incorrect placement of the Botox injection can lead to more severe side effects, such as blurred or double vision, facial asymmetry, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, or allergic reactions. When you have your initial consultation with Dr. Green, disclose your medical history so she can determine if you are a good candidate for treatment.
Where is Baby Botox injected?
Baby Botox can be injected in various locations to reduce mild to moderate fine lines and creases or prevent the formation of dynamic wrinkles. Regular Botox is FDA-approved for injection into the forehead lines, crow’s feet, and glabellar lines between the eyes, and micro Botox can also be used in those treatment areas. Additionally, small doses of Botox can be injected into the lower face as an off-label use of Botox treatment, specifically to reduce the appearance of marionette lines that extend from the corners of the mouth down the chin, smile lines around the mouth, bunny lines around the nose, and lip lines. Baby Botox can also be used on the body to lift the neck and decolletage, under the arms to reduce sweating, and in the masseter muscles to reduce jaw tension.
When to start getting Baby Botox
When patients ask, “When should I start getting Baby Botox?” the answer is that it depends on your aesthetic goals. The formation of dynamic wrinkles, such as crow’s feet and forehead lines, can be some of the first signs of aging that appear on the face. Before your mid-twenties, dynamic wrinkles form only when you make facial expressions, and the skin becomes smooth again when the face rests. However, collagen production decreases by your late 20s and early 30s, and fine lines from dynamic wrinkles become etched onto the face, apparent even when the face is at rest. Baby Botox, as a preventative treatment for developing fine lines and wrinkles, can be started in your late twenties and early thirties as collagen production decreases. Small doses of Botox stop the contractions of the muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles, which prevents wrinkles from forming in the first place. Patients who notice the development of mild fine lines in their early 30s and 40s can also get Baby Botox to erase soft creases without limiting expressive capabilities.
When does Baby Botox start working?
Typically, Baby Botox patients can see the full effects of their treatment two weeks after the initial injection, and your facial rejuvenation will last 3-6 months. At the two-week mark, Dr. Green recommends a follow-up visit to ensure optimal results from the initial treatment session. With Dr. Green’s less-is-more approach, the follow-up appointment is a time to determine if more units of Botox are needed to achieve your aesthetic goals.
What to do after Baby Botox
Baby Botox treatment is a quick and straightforward procedure at Dr. Green’s New York City dermatology office that can take 15 minutes to perform, depending on the size and scope of the treatment area. One common side effect of any injectable treatment is bruising or discoloration at the injection site. To reduce the risk of bruising after treatment, Dr. Green may apply ice to the treatment area and advise patients to ice at home intermittently. Bruising can also be reduced if patients keep the treatment area elevated for the first 24 hours post-treatment. Bruising and other mild side effects, such as redness, irritation, and swelling, will disappear within one to two weeks of treatment. Still, patients can immediately return to regularly scheduled activities. Dr. Green will provide full aftercare instructions to patients before they leave her office.
What not to do after Baby Botox
Within the aftercare instructions provided, Dr. Green will include activities that should be avoided for the first 24 hours post-treatment. Immediately after treatment, patients should refrain from massaging or rubbing the treatment area for at least two days post-treatment, as the Botox needs time to settle. Further, patients should avoid strenuous physical activity or hot environments, such as saunas and hot tubs, for at least 24 hours after receiving the Botox procedure. Strenuous exercise and massaging the area can cause Botox to migrate, leading to more serious adverse events.
When can I get Botox after having a baby?
Pregnant or breastfeeding people are not good candidates for Botox treatment, as Botox is not FDA-approved during this time. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and looking for an anti-aging treatment, Dr. Green can advise you on options that will be safe for you and your baby and let you know how long to wait before receiving Botox treatment. Botox alternatives are available for keeping the skin youthful-looking and smooth during pregnancy, all available at Dr. Green’s office.
Where does Baby Botox go?
Baby Botox can be injected in many areas of the face and body to provide patients with their desired results and create more youthful-looking skin, including:
- Forehead lines
- Crow’s Feet
- Glabellar lines (Frown lines)
- Marionette lines
- Smile lines
- Bunny lines
- Vertical lip lines
- Neck
- Decolletage
Dr. Green is an expert at providing patients with anti-aging results that provides a full range of treatment options.
What is the difference between Botox and Baby Botox?
Regarding composition, regular Botox and Baby Botox are the same formulations. Botox, along with competitors like Dysport and Xeomin, uses botulinum toxin to “freeze” nerve signals to targeted muscle groups at or near the injection site, and this, in turn, can both reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles and prevent further wrinkles from forming near the injection site. However, for those with mild-to-moderate fine lines and wrinkles, the total dose of a Botox injection may not be necessary to reduce the signs of aging. In these cases, Baby Botox can provide smaller amounts of this neuromodulator to reduce facial muscle use without “freezing” the muscle entirely. This can be particularly nice for patients using Botox for the first time or those who want to subtly improve a delicate area, such as crow’s feet near the eyes.
Dr. Green recommends traditional Botox or Dysport injections for those with very deep folds or frown lines, as Baby Botox is much more effective for mild facial rejuvenation. Dr. Green carefully analyzes how facial muscles move to determine which formulation or cosmetic injectable will be best for each patient, whether regular Botox or a lower dose treatment.
What are the Benefits of Preventative Botox Treatment?
One of the most exciting aspects of Baby Botox is that it can help prevent the development of lines and wrinkles on the face. Baby Botox has become incredibly popular for younger patients in their 20s and 30s who can prevent fine lines from developing. Regarding preventative Botox treatment, Dr. Green can carefully analyze how your facial muscles move, look at how you animate, determine where your wrinkles and lines will likely develop as you age, and redirect that aging process. The bottom line: convenient Baby Botox treatments that can help you hold on to your baby face.
How long does Baby Botox last?
Though Baby Botox is a temporary treatment, the procedure still provides patients with long-lasting, natural-looking results that can be maintained with regular follow-up appointments. Baby Botox lasts about as long as traditional Botox injections, subtly reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for three months. Typically, patients will engage in quarterly treatment sessions to maintain their youthful, natural results.
How many units is Baby Botox?
The amount of units for any Botox treatment is determined by the size of the area being treated, the intensity of the dynamic wrinkles, fine lines, and folds, and the aesthetic goals of each individual. However, when it comes to Baby Botox, you can assume that fewer units of Botox will be used in that area. For example, in an instance where Dr. Green might use 25 units of Botox for traditional Botox treatment, she might use closer to 15 units for a Baby Botox session.
How much does Baby Botox cost?
Due to the smaller dose of Baby Botox, the cost may be less than that of traditional Botox treatment. This has made Baby Botox an even more attractive procedure for those seeking to prevent the signs of aging on the skin. However, the exact cost of Baby Botox treatment will vary based on the number of treatment areas in which Botox is used. When you work with Dr. Green, she will help you develop a treatment plan that balances your personal goals with your current skin needs and budget to create the rejuvenating results you crave.
Are there any complimentary skincare regimens for Baby Botox?
Cosmetic procedures such as Baby Botox can do wonders when creating subtle, artful reductions of skin aging signs. However, any in-office cosmetic procedure can be improved by using skincare products that help prevent these signs. Regarding a healthy skincare routine, Dr. Green recommends high-quality sunscreen first and foremost. A good sunscreen, such as Dr. Green’s MGSKINLABS SPF 50 broad-spectrum sunscreen and hydrating sunscreen, can do wonders when it comes to preventing the appearance of sun spots, discoloration, and aging on the skin. Additionally, using skincare products that help boost collagen production in the skin can help to improve hydration and cell turnover on the skin’s surface. Many patients have benefitted from the use of Dr. Green’s MGSKINLABS AM/PM Serum Duo, which targets fine lines and wrinkles on the skin, as well as her Essential Antioxidant Infusion serum that contains Retinol and other vital vitamins to exfoliate, renew and replenish skin overnight.
Which laser or injectable treatments can be combined with Baby Botox injections?
Baby Botox injections are quick, painless, and easily combined with other non-invasive cosmetic treatments, including laser and dermal filler injectable treatments. Botox is the gold standard for treating and preventing dynamic fine lines and wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles are those that form due to repetitive facial expressions, etching into the skin over time. Once injected, Botox “freezes” the area by inhibiting the nerve signals to the facial muscles responsible for making the expressions.
Dermal fillers are used to enhance certain facial features and contours, replenish age-related volume loss, and correct other signs of aging. Many patients who are treated with baby Botox choose to incorporate dermal fillers into their treatment plan to achieve pan-facial rejuvenation. Zero downtime is associated with the filler injectable treatments, meaning patients can easily have their baby Botox and dermal fillers in the same treatment session. Popular dermal fillers offered at Dr. Green’s office include Juvederm and Restylane, composed of hyaluronic acid, and Sculptra, a collagen stimulator composed of poly-L-lactic acid.
Laser treatments, such as Fraxel and Clear + Brilliant, are excellent cosmetic procedures for improving overall skin tone and texture. These treatment options rejuvenate the complexion by stimulating new collagen production in the dermis. Laser treatments can complement baby Botox injections by providing dramatic anti-aging effects, allowing patients to target age-related and dynamic fine lines. Depending on the type of laser incorporated into your treatment plan, your baby Botox injections may be performed in the same appointment. When you consult with Dr. Green at her private dermatology office in Manhattan’s Upper East Side neighborhood, she will work with you to create a customized cosmetic treatment plan that includes the non-invasive cosmetic procedures best suited to your particular concerns and aesthetic goals.
Where can I get Baby Botox?
The best place to get Baby Botox is in the office of a board-certified dermatologist and expert physician, such as Dr. Michele Green, in New York City. With over two decades of experience in Botox injections, Dr. Green is considered one of the best cosmetic injectors in NYC. An Allergan Platinum provider, Dr. Green has provided expert facial rejuvenation to her NY and international patients. Well-known for her less-is-more approach to injectable treatments, Dr. Green is an expert at creating naturally subtle results without fully inhibiting muscle movement, providing patients with full expressive capabilities. By injecting fewer units of Botox in the treatment area than traditional Botox treatment, Dr. Green can prevent the formation of dynamic wrinkles in younger patients and erase mild to moderate fine lines on the face, neck, and decolletage. If you’re looking to prevent or reduce the appearance of fine lines and dynamic wrinkles on the skin, Baby Botox may be just what you’ve been looking for. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Green, contact us online today or call our NY office at 212-535-3088 to develop your custom treatment plan.