Can I Combine Botox With Other Procedures?
Botox® is, without a doubt, one the most sought-after anti-aging treatments. Last year alone, over 9 million US adults were treated with Botox® injections, making it the number one nonsurgical treatment option in the nation.
Unlike cosmetic surgery, Botox® offers visible rejuvenation with minimal discomfort and no downtime. Containing small amounts of botulinum neurotoxin, it works by temporarily relaxing facial muscles to prevent and reverse facial creases. But there is only so much this injectable can do, and many of those seeking this treatment wonder if they could combine it with other noninvasive options for more comprehensive facial rejuvenation.
Can You Combine Botox® With Other Treatments?
In a word, yes.
Thanks to advances in cosmetic medicine and a better understanding of how Botox® works, we can achieve remarkable results by pairing neuromodulators like Botox® with other treatments. Our clients, in fact, often benefit from a combination approach. Although Botox® is good at treating wrinkles, aging causes many other changes that need to be addressed for balanced results. For example, many patients with visible wrinkles also have sunken cheeks, drooping in the eyebrow area, pigmentation changes, thinning skin, dullness and other signs of aging.
Botox® is also suitable for use only on certain areas of the face — mainly the upper third. For wrinkles around the mouth, other treatments can help create a smoother look while maintaining facial movement for a natural look.
Combining Botox® and Dermal Fillers
One of the most popular treatment combinations is Botox® and dermal fillers. Both injectables used for wrinkle reduction, Botox® and dermal fillers are similar enough to be suitable for use within a single appointment. The two complement each other perfectly in what is known as a “liquid facelift.”
Botox® treats what we call dynamic wrinkles in the upper face. Think forehead lines, crow’s feet and the “11” between the brows. These wrinkles happen from repetitive skin creasing due to facial movements like smiling and frowning. Botox® stops key muscles from moving, which prevents and reverses mild to moderate wrinkles.
Dermal fillers are more suitable for the treatment of wrinkles around the nose and mouth, also known as marionette lines and nasolabial folds. Dermal fillers can help smooth out these wrinkles by adding volume to the affected areas. In addition to wrinkle reduction, we also use dermal fillers to lift and add volume to the face.
Combining Botox® and Chemical Peels
For more comprehensive skin rejuvenation, many patients benefit from a combination of Botox® and chemical peels.
During a chemical peel, a chemical solution is applied to the skin to remove damaged layers and stimulate cell renewal. There are different types of chemical peels with different strengths and uses. Superficial peels remove only the outer layer of the skin and help even out skin tone and texture. Deeper peels remove skin cells in the dermis to promote collagen production for visible wrinkle reduction and tightening.
However, unlike other treatment combos, you will probably need to have these done in sequence. Chemical peels are best when performed before injectables and only after the skin has completely healed. This can take anywhere between a week and up to two months.
Combining Botox® and Light-Based Treatments
Light-based therapies use light energy to remove damaged skin cells and promote rejuvenation. One popular light-based treatment uses intense pulsed light (IPL) to improve the tone and texture of your skin with little to no downtime. Also known as a photofacial, this treatment can also be combined with Botox®.
Gentler than most chemical peels and even lasers, IPL therapy offers many of the same benefits: improved skin tone, texture and firmness. Another benefit is that it can treat different skin concerns at once, such as dark spots, freckles, broken blood vessels, redness, scars and more! The skin-enhancing benefits of this treatment can help balance out your Botox® results and address wrinkles in areas of the face where we traditionally don’t use Botox®.
And because this treatment is relatively gentle, it can be performed within the same appointment.
Combining Botox® and Microneedling
Another minimally invasive treatment that has grown in popularity over recent years and that is often paired with Botox® is microneedling. As the name implies, the treatment uses ultra-fine needles not longer than 3mm. Like Botox®, the treatment is great for treating textural irregularities, including wrinkles. But it is also able to address enlarged pores, fine lines in sensitive areas (e.g. under the eyes) and dullness.
Microneedling works by creating microscopic injury within different layers of the skin. This stimulates collagen and elastin production within the dermis, which improves skin texture and health since both collagen and elastin are essential in maintaining skin integrity.
The reason we recommend combining these two treatments is that they help improve overall skin texture. While Botox® softens and prevents wrinkles, microneedling improves general skin texture.
Combining Botox® and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
Another needle-based therapy, PRP is another treatment that aims to create younger-looking skin.
The treatment involves drawing a patient’s blood, extracting PRP from the blood and injecting it into the skin with a syringe or microneedling device. PRP contains countless growth factors that can promote skin cell health. Alongside enhancing collagen and elastin production, PRP was found to promote skin regeneration, hyaluronic acid production and blood flow. In short, it enhances skin health and rejuvenates the skin on a cellular level.
But to ensure visible skin rejuvenation, PRP is best when paired with other treatments, like Botox®. Together, these two will create a radiant, more youthful appearance.
Ready To Experience a New You?
Concerned about multiple signs of aging but not ready for surgery? Then you can benefit from a comprehensive treatment plan combining complementary nonsurgical treatments. Botox®, the anti-aging gold standard, can be combined with a range of other treatments that renew, revitalize and enhance your skin.
Our expert team at De La Belle Wellness & Spa in Memphis, Tennessee, is here to help you choose the best treatment options and create a personalized plan. Contact De La Belle today at 901-459-3338 or complete our online contact form to get started.