Botox

If you’re thinking about trying Botox for the first time, you might have some questions about whether this treatment is right for you. As San Francisco’s leading dermatologists, we’re happy to provide answers.

How Does Botox Work?

First, it’s helpful for you to understand how this product can make such a significant impact on your appearance and self-confidence. Repetitive motions like frowning, squinting, and smiling create what we call dynamic wrinkles. When you’re younger, your skin can bounce back from these, but eventually, these lines will start permanently etching themselves onto your face.

Botox consists of a highly purified form of the botulinum toxin. When we strategically inject it into the muscles around your forehead, eyes, and eyebrows, it blocks the nerve signals that cause those muscles to contract. Once the Botox takes effect, you’ll notice those wrinkles gradually softening and becoming less distinct.

How to Maintain Your Long-Term Botox Results

While Botox can temporarily block muscle contractions, the effects are not permanent. You’ll probably start to notice wrinkles beginning to return around three to four months after your treatment, depending on factors like your lifestyle choices and how many units of Botox your injector used.

After you have a reasonable idea of how long Botox lasts for you, we can help you create a maintenance plan that includes when to return to our San Francisco office for touch-up treatments. Our goal is to ensure your anti-aging results are consistently natural-looking.

However, you should also know that over time, Botox use will help “train” your muscles not to make wrinkle-forming facial expressions. As the product gradually wears off, you’ll be more conscious of habitual movements that create unwanted lines. When that happens, you might be able to wait a little bit longer between maintenance appointments.

What Else Should You Know About Botox Injections?

Botox results don’t immediately appear. If you still see troublesome wrinkles a couple of days after your appointment, that doesn’t mean you need a touch-up right away. Your full results might not be visible until a week or so after your treatment, so we recommend scheduling your appointment strategically if you’re getting Botox in preparation for a specific occasion like a wedding or a class reunion.

When choosing where to get Botox injections, you should understand that your choice in provider matters. This treatment’s enduring popularity has led many underqualified people to advertise their services as Botox injectors, even if they have not specifically trained in facial anatomy and skin health. Therefore, while Botox treatments at a salon or day spa might seem convenient, that doesn’t mean they are safe.

For the best results, only trust a board-certified dermatologist to provide your Botox injections. At Dermatology Medical Group of San Francisco, our physicians perform all injectable treatments. Allergan, which manufactures Botox, has also trained all the dermatologists on our team to understand how the product works to smooth wrinkles by preventing muscle contractions. For your personalized Botox consultation, contact us today.

Botox is one of the most sought-after cosmetic solutions in the world, and a trained physician can use it to help address a variety of common concerns. However, even though Botox has earned FDA approval for a range of aesthetic and medical issues, many people still believe various fallacies that make them hesitant to seek the benefits of this treatment. Let’s break down the reality behind a few of these.

Fiction: It Doesn’t Matter Who Does My Botox Injections

Fact: The popularity of at-home Botox parties might have led you to believe you can get Botox injected by anyone in any setting. The truth is that getting Botox injected outside a clinical setting can lead to unsatisfying and even risky results. You are much better off having an experienced dermatologist such as Dr. Seth Matarasso perform your treatment in the safety of his San Francisco office.

Fiction: Botox Is Unhealthy

Fact: While it’s true that Botox derives from a purified version of the botulinum toxin, the amount used for cosmetic purposes is a fraction of the amount that it would take to be toxic to humans. Indeed, Botox has been FDA-approved for cosmetic use since 2002 after undergoing a series of clinical trials to determine its safety and efficacy. Since Dr. Matarasso injects the protein directly into your muscles, there’s no danger of it entering your bloodstream. The most common side effects of Botox are minor bruising and swelling, but other risks include infection, wheezing, dizziness, and faintness. When Dr. Matarasso does your injections, however, these dangers are minimal.

Fiction: Botox and Fillers Serve the Same Purpose

Fact: There is a distinction between Botox and dermal fillers such as Juvéderm. The specific purpose of Botox is to relax the muscles around your eye and eyebrow area, thus minimizing the wrinkles that form from repetitive facial movements such as squinting and frowning. In contrast, fillers create volume in areas that have begun to sag or look hollow. Hyaluronic acid-based fillers can also diminish wrinkles such as the nasolabial folds that bracket your mouth. When used in combination, Botox and fillers help provide an overall non-surgical facial rejuvenation known as a “liquid facelift.”

Fiction: I’m Too Young for Botox to Benefit Me

Fact: You don’t have to have deep-set wrinkles to take advantage of Botox injections. We often work with patients in their 20s or early 30s who choose to get Botox as a preventive measure. When used at an early age, Botox can help keep dynamic wrinkles such as crow’s feet or eyebrow furrows from deepening and causing you to look older than you really are.

Fiction: Botox Will Make Me Look Expressionless

Fact: You might be hesitant to get Botox for fear that it will leave your face looking paralyzed or unnatural. We’ve all seen at least one movie or TV show where someone gets Botox treatments and returns with a frozen, mannequin-esque appearance. However, this stereotype is more of an exaggeration for comedic effect than it is a depiction of what happens in reality. Dr. Matarasso takes care to inject precise amounts of Botox in the exact spots where it will have the optimal results. Once it takes effect, you’ll look natural, never overdone, or mask-like. People who know you well will never guess you had “work done,” unless you choose to share your beauty secrets.

Schedule Your Botox Consultation Today

Despite the persistent myths surrounding Botox, Dr. Matarasso takes pride in his ability to provide consistently natural-looking results that speak for themselves. If you have any questions about discreetly, non-invasively refreshing your appearance with this solution, contact us today. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!

You’ve finally taken the plunge into the world of Botox® injections, fulfilling the goals you’ve been dreaming about for so long. While Botox can be an amazingly effective way to combat wrinkles, as you have probably learned by now, you will require touch-up treatments every so often if you hope to maintain your smooth, wrinkle-free eye and eyebrow region.

If your goal is to look younger for as long as possible, you may be wondering if it’s possible to make the results of your Botox injections last longer, and, if so, how you can do this. Read on to learn all about Botox and ideas for prolonging your refreshed complexion.

How Does Botox Work?

Before we provide advice on how to make the effects of Botox persist further, it may be helpful for you to review a primer on what Botox is and how it works. Though Botox is an injectable anti-aging product, it performs a different function than hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers like Restylane® and Juvederm®, which minimize wrinkles by providing an intensive moisture boost that fills in hollows in the skin. Instead, the goal of Botox is to create temporary muscle paralysis.

When you make repetitive facial expressions such as frowning or smiling, you eventually develop characteristic, permanent grooves as your skin loses the collagen and elastin that make it resilient and full. Botox works by preventing a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine from sending signals to the small muscles around the eye and eyebrow area, which prevents them from contracting.

The product derives from a purified version of the botulinum toxin and has received FDA approval, proving its safety as a treatment method. That’s because the dosage used for cosmetic treatments never has any chance of reaching the bloodstream, and is a tiny fraction of the amount that it would take to be dangerous to humans.

How Long Does Botox Last?

First-time Botox users can usually expect their results to last around four months. If you continue to keep up with your maintenance appointments, you can look forward to longer-lasting effects as your muscles and nerve endings become conditioned to your regimen over time.

Botox prevents muscle contractions, which means it can only reduce and prevent the dynamic wrinkles that form from frowning and smiling. Botox does not provide volume, elasticity, or skin firmness, which is why you can see even more dramatic anti-aging results by combining your regular Botox injections with fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane, or by choosing to combine your injections with other minimally-invasive treatments like Fraxel laser skin resurfacing, microdermabrasion, Ultherapy®, and intense pulsed light treatments.

Enjoy Your Wrinkle-Free Skin for Longer

After you get Botox injections, your full results will reveal themselves five to seven days later. Though the injections can last several months, you may notice that your wrinkles begin to reappear as the treatment “wears off.” If you want to make the time between your treatments last as long as possible, here are three tips you can follow.

1. Go to an Experienced Injector 

Effective, natural-looking Botox injections require the correct dosage and strategically appropriate injection sites for the best results. A qualified, expert injector can not only explain all the specifics of what to expect before, during, and after getting Botox, but will also create a personalized treatment regimen that ultimately results in longer-lasting Botox effects.

2. Flex Those Muscles

After your injections, do a mini facial workout by moving the muscles around the injection sites. Making a range of different expressions such as raising your eyebrows can help distribute the Botox more efficiently throughout your upper face, causing your results to take effect more quickly. Once the Botox kicks in, these expressions won’t make any lasting impact on your skin.

3. Shun the Sun

This note of advice applies to all people who wish to avoid the effects of aging, whether you decide to get Botox or not. Sun damage is the top reason we experience the signs of early aging, and Botox doesn’t turn back the clock on these wrinkles, since they do not involve the underlying muscles. It’s a best practice to apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 on your face and any other exposed body parts every day, even if it’s cloudy.

Enjoy Long-Lasting Anti-Aging Effects

If you are interested in Botox injections or other transformative anti-aging procedures in San Francisco, Dr. Seth Matarasso and his talented team are eager to help you. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of Botox and how to achieve long-lasting results through expert injections.

If you’re interested in Botox, contact us today.

Botox is one of the safest, easiest, and most popular cosmetic solutions on the market today, and can address a wide range of issues when a trained physician administers it. However, despite its revolutionary success, the many misconceptions persistently surrounding this treatment have tarnished its reputation. Today, we are putting on our myth-busting hats to debunk these common fallacies.

1. Botox will “freeze” your face and make you look like a mannequin.

It’s a common movie and TV trope for characters to become expressionless after too many Botox treatments. While it’s true that Botox causes temporary muscle paralysis, a skilled practitioner will know exactly the right dosage to administer and where to place it so fewer wrinkles form in your face – not to the point that you can’t make normal facial expressions. “Frozen face” is the result of inexperienced practitioners administering too many units of Botox, and you can easily avoid this issue if you seek a provider who has the proper expertise and training.

2. Botox is purely cosmetic.

The benefits of Botox are far-reaching, and it can address several unfortunate real-life medical complaints. In fact, the FDA originally approved Botox to treat eye twitches and muscle spasms, and it did not become an aesthetic treatment until several years later. Since then, it has seen a wide range of uses, and today’s doctors now prescribe Botox injections to patients who suffer from issues like migraine headaches, hyperhidrosis, and acne.

3. Botox is poisonous.

While it is true Botox is based on botulinum toxin, it gets purified under laboratory conditions to the point where it becomes largely nontoxic. In addition, because your physician will inject the protein directly into your muscles to help relax them, it won’t get absorbed into your bloodstream. The dosage for cosmetic treatments is so small that it would take hundreds of times the amount of the protein to be toxic.

4. You can become addicted to Botox.

There is nothing physically or chemically addictive about Botox, though most people who receive it as a cosmetic treatment are so pleased with their anti-aging results that they wish to maintain them by getting follow-up injections a few times per year.

5. It will be too obvious that you had Botox treatments.

You may have read or heard overly dramatic “horror stories” that make it seem as if Botox injections will result in a massive change in your facial appearance. In reality, it has very subtle effects and gradual results. Botox will help you look younger and more relaxed, but it will not create a drastic change in how you look.

6. Botox injections are painful.

Because Botox is an injectable product, many patients worry about discomfort, but a mild local anesthetic numbs the injection sites and minimizes pain. In addition, the needles are small enough that you will barely even notice the treatment taking place. You may experience mild tenderness or slight bruising in the injection areas for a short time, but generally, Botox injections are a fast, easy, and virtually painless treatment that requires no recovery time.

7. Botox is only for one kind of person.

There is no such thing as an “ideal Botox patient.” Botox injections benefit younger patients and older patients equally well since preventative Botox for patients in their 20s and early 30s can stop lines from forming and reduce the need for future treatments. Men are also choosing to get Botox more today, often to maintain a youthful appearance as they re-enter the job market or dating scene.

Seek a Skilled Botox Practitioner in San Francisco

Unfortunately, misconceptions surrounding Botox injections are extremely persistent. That’s why Dr. Seth Matarasso works hard to provide results that speak for themselves. If you have any lingering doubts about the benefits of Botox as a natural-looking anti-aging treatment, contact Dr. Matarasso’s office for a personalized consultation.

The holidays are all about celebrating and spending time with friends and family, which means your social calendar is probably going to be packed during the next few months. And let’s be honest – when it comes to holiday parties, you want to look great. For some, substituting cosmetic procedures for sleep and a healthy diet is an option. But not everyone has the luxury of being able to take time off to recover from a nip and tuck.

Well, now you don’t have to.

Injectables make it possible to look your best during this festive season without having to take time off for recovery or extended downtime. From smoothing out lines and wrinkles to getting the plump lips you’ve always wanted, this versatile cosmetic treatment can be totally customized to achieve your aesthetic goals.

To get your best “I woke up like this” face this season, read on to learn how injectables will make sure you’re ready to take on the holidays while looking naturally refreshed and rejuvenated.

Injectables: What Are They?

When people say “injectables,” they’re referring to injectable cosmetic treatments that are primarily used to correct wrinkles and fine lines, or to rejuvenate areas that have lost volume. There are two main types of injectables: those that contain botulinum toxin type A (Botox and Dysport) and dermal fillers (Juvéderm, Restylane, and Perlane). Below, we’ll take a look at how these injectables work and how they can help you look your best during the holidays.

Injectables With Botulinum Toxin

Botulinum toxin type A is a neurotoxin that is essentially a highly refined and produced version of Clostridium botulinum, a naturally occurring bacterium. Although it might sound scary, injectables containing this neurotoxin are completely safe and they have been approved by the FDA for cosmetic use.

When injected, Botox uses this neurotoxin to cause the underlying muscles beneath wrinkles to relax, making it especially effective against “dynamic wrinkles,” or wrinkles caused by repeated movement. In other words, once the muscle relaxes, the wrinkle softens.

Botox can provide the following benefits:

• Reduces the appearance of forehead lines, horizontal lines between the brows (“11 lines”), crow’s feet, “bunny lines” on the nose, and more
• Treatment is non-invasive and requires practically no downtime
• Injections can be completed in minutes

Dysport is very similar to Botox, and it also uses botulinum toxin type A to relax the muscles under wrinkles. However, the protein used in Dysport is slightly smaller than that of Botox, so it may produce results more rapidly than Botox. The results from Dysport typically show up a day or two faster than Botox, but for people with busy schedules, this can make all the difference.

Dermal Fillers

Juvéderm, Restylane, and Perlane are all made from hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring substance found in all living organisms. Instead of relaxing the underlying muscles, fillers work by filling in stubborn surface depressions like nasolabial folds, marionette lines, furrows, and vertical lip lines.

But they’re not just limited to treating lines and wrinkles. Fillers are also excellent options for restoring areas that have lost volume (like the hollows under the eyes), sculpting the cheek area for a more defined look, plumping up the lips, and filling in deep-pitted acne scars.

Patients can expect the following benefits from dermal fillers:

• Little to no downtime
• Quick treatment
• Smooths away stubborn lines and wrinkles
• Can improve pitted acne scars
• Can help you achieve plump lips
• Restores volume and can sculpt areas of the face

Injectables for the Holidays: What You Need to Know

Your Treatment Session

When it comes to cosmetic treatments during the holidays, the first question people ask is: How long is it going to take? Fortunately, your treatment for injectables will only take between 10-60 minutes, depending on the part of the face being treated.

During the treatment, a mild anesthetic will be used to numb the injection sites. Once your injections are made, you can resume your regular schedule. The beauty of injectables is that they require virtually no downtime. You may experience minor swelling, redness, or bruising, but this should subside quickly, and makeup can be applied immediately after your treatment.

When Will I See Results?

The full results of Botox and Dysport will take a week or two to become totally apparent. In the case of dermal fillers, your results can be seen pretty much immediately. But in general, it’s best to schedule your treatments a week or two before any social engagement, just in case you have bruising or swelling for an unusually long time.

How Long Will My Results Last?

You can expect to enjoy the results of Botox and Dysport for about three-to-eight months. Depending on the treatment area, results from Restylane will last for around three-to-nine months. Juvéderm lasts between four-to-six months, but patients can expect even longer results from Juvéderm Voluma XC. Perlane lasts for about six months to a year.

So, when you stay up all night wrapping presents or binge-watching your favorite holiday movies, your face won’t give you away this year. With injectables, you can still maintain a refreshed look without disrupting your busy schedule, allowing you to focus on what matters: spending quality time with friends and family. And of course, looking good for those holiday party selfies.

Ready to get a head start this season? To schedule an appointment for injectables in San Francisco, contact Dr. Seth L Matarasso today at (415) 362-2238.

Botox . . . not just for women! While cosmetic surgeries and procedures are often considered to be strictly for women, more and more men are choosing to dabble in the area. Specifically, Botox is growing increasingly popular amongst the male population.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in 2016, the total number of men who got botulinum toxin injections (i.e. Botox) totaled 453, 281. Clearly, men are gaining a larger interest in Botox. But why?

While you can pursue Botox at any age (well, you at least have to be 21-years old, of course), it seems that injections are most popular with men who are between the ages of 35 and 65. And where are these men generally choosing to get their injections? Around their eyes and eyebrows, to counterbalance crows feet and wrinkles.

Yet, this still doesn’t explain why.

Interestingly enough, the common census isn’t that more and more men are choosing Botox because they want to look younger, but due to competitiveness. That’s right, men want to be able to compete in a workplace that is proving to be ageist.

Further, Botox is also becoming more popular with men in light of social media, numerous online dating apps, and spousal influence. Many doctors agree: men are more likely to book an appointment for the procedure if their wife or significant other has already tried it. Though, while women often book Botox appointments in pairs or groups, men generally prefer to get injections by themselves.

However, the motives behind cosmetics procedures (including Botox) are still subjective, meaning every individual has his or her own reasoning for wanting treatment. Whether it’s to boost self-confidence, get rid of unwanted lines or wrinkles, or simply to just feel and look better, these procedures aren’t just becoming more popular, but they’re also more acceptable.

And why shouldn’t Botox injections and other cosmetic procedures and surgeries be widely accepted? Both men and women deserve to embrace the best version of themselves, which can now be made possible with Botox.

Are you ready to give Botox a try? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Seth L. Matarasso today by calling 415-362-2238.

An ounce of prevention, as the old saying goes, is worth a pound of cure—But can getting Botox at a young age, before wrinkles have a chance to set in, really make a difference later in life? Many leading experts say “Yes, it can.” Just how early you should start, however, is a matter of some debate.

Botox Treatments: Should I Start In My 20s, 30s, or 40s?

While it may seem crazy to go from college directly to Botox, plastic surgeons have widely reported a sudden increase in the number of people in their 20s who are seeking out Botox treatments. Why? They believe that by doing so, they can get the jump on wrinkles: After all, if you relax the muscles responsible for creating wrinkles early enough, they might never fully form, right?

This logic is sound at base, but plastic surgery experts like Karan Dhir, M.D., generally feel that starting before the age of 30 makes little real difference over the long run. “Botox can help prevent the deep imprinted lines that we call wrinkles because of the effect of relaxing the muscles that can crease the skin,” he explains. However, “Patients in their twenties have sufficient volume and thickness of the facial skin. It can withstand the folding and creasing forces of the underlying muscle. The skin begins to lose volume and thins notably between the ages of 30 to 40. This, in my opinion, is the time to begin Botox treatments—right before the creases have an opportunity to become deeply imprinted.”

There are, of course, some exceptions to the above rule. Some people actually do begin to lose skin tone and develop fine lines as early as their late 20s, and these people absolutely will benefit from Botox injections. In general, people who smoke and fair-skinned people who have been exposed to a lot of sunlight (or tanning beds) should consider starting Botox treatments in their mid-late 20s. Additionally, if you have a family history of premature aging, early Botox may be right for you.

Regardless of when you choose to start getting Botox injections, it’s important to understand that Botox at any age is harmless and will not cause permanent damage to your face or make you look older. If you want to experiment with Botox as early as your 20s, you can rest assured that the treatment is completely temporary and will wear off in about 6 months’ time.

For more information on Botox treatments, contact Dr. Seth L. Matarasso today!

If you’ve landed on this page, then there’s a likely chance that you’re interested in learning more about Botox. Offered by Dr. Seth L. Matarasso, Botox treatments can help you look and feel better about yourself. Aging may be inevitable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t put up a fight!

Often regarded as a minimally invasive treatment, Botox is great for reducing a variety of facial wrinkles, such as: crow’s feet, frown lines, worry lines, forehead lines, and lines around the mouth and eyes.

However, even more appealing to some, is the fact that Botox is FDA-approved, meaning the procedure is safe. And though side effects are possible, they are very rare.

Before the Botox is administered, a mild anesthetic will be used to numb the desired areas. Following your treatment, you will immediately be able to go about your day and schedule, whether that’s home, school, or work. Further, makeup can even be applied once the treatment has been completed.

You won’t instantly see the results of your procedure. In fact, the final results may take a week or two to populate. Once they have, you can expect these results to last between four and eight months.

Botox injections are commonly thought to be quick, convenient, and relatively painless. However, you may feel some mild tenderness, or see some slight bruising in or around the injection area(s). Yet, these side effects won’t last long. Simply put, this procedure requires no recovery time.

Prior to the injection, Dr. Matarasso will sit down with you to discuss your goals, and what you hope to accomplish from the Botox treatment. He will assist you in deciding which areas to inject, and how much dosage is needed. The actual injection process itself only takes about ten minutes.

Curious to know more? Contact Dr. Seth L. Matarasso for a consultation today by calling 415-362-2238. Don’t you want to feel and look your best?

Spring is the season for social events and enjoying the nice weather. Yes, it’s still spring, and what better time is there to get Botox? It’s fast, simple, and has long-lasting results. If you want to look fresher and younger without undergoing major surgery, it’s not too late to try Botox and show off amazing results before spring is over.

Let’s look at some of the reasons why Botox is considered one of the most popular rejuvenation treatments ever:

Botox Is Easy and Quick

The Botox procedure takes less than 30 minutes to perform, which means you can run out on your lunch break for a quick session and then go back to your daily activities as normal.

No Recovery Period

Botox is only administered using an incredibly fine needle. Because it’s noninvasive, it requires no downtime or recovery.

Long Lasting

On average, a Botox treatment can last up to 3-4 months.

Botox is Safe

Botox is widely considered to be one of the safest cosmetic procedures in the industry; it’s even used to treat various medical conditions.

Natural-Looking Results

Dr. Matarasso is an experienced surgeon who has performed Botox countless times. He has extensive experience creating the most optimal results with Botox.

Targets Multiple Concerns

When injected into various areas of the face, Botox can eliminate forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, frown lines, glabella, fine lines around the mouth, lines on the neck, and more. Botox can also be used as a treatment for migraines and eyelid spasms.

What You Can Expect with Botox

With a Botox expert like Dr. Matarasso, you can rest assured that you’re in good hands. Here are a few things that you can expect from your Botox treatment:

• Botox can be performed in the office
• Botox is a relatively painless procedure, but the treatment area can be numbed if necessary
• Botox can treat multiple areas, which results in a natural, younger-looking appearance
• You can expect to see the results in about three days

What Dr. Matarasso Can Do for You

Schedule a talk with Dr. Matarasso and find out if Botox is the best procedure for your concerns. During your consultation with Dr. Matarasso, you will discuss your concerns and expectations for your procedure. If Botox is the right treatment for you, he will create a treatment plan tailored specifically for your needs. To look amazing and refreshed before the spring is over, contact the offices of Dr. Matarasso now.