Secrets to Looking Younger ~ First Step… BOTOX (+ Discount for Readers)

Posted by My Dallas Mommy on Monday, September 7th, 2015 at 10:00 AM
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Secrets To Looking Younger

Last week, I shared that I was on a mission to learn all I could about the secrets to looking younger that doesn’t BREAK the bank.

I have been visiting with our expert, Dr. Lori Stetler from The Dallas Center for Dermatology and Aesthetics.  She’s “real” about aging and just REALLY fun to be around.

Through all of this,  I’m learning the graceful agers aren’t aging better, they’re just aging smarter, so that is why I’m doing this series on the Secrets of Looking Younger.

Today we’re talking BOTOX.

I’ve ALWAYS had the “forehead wrinkle”.  When I was a morning news anchor, I’ll never forget one lady who called to tell me, “Honey, quit scrunching your forehead that way when you talk, you’re gonna get wrinkles.”  Well, she’s right, I DO have wrinkles but it’s genetic.  My son has them too, poor kid!  As I’ve gotten older the wrinkles have gotten deeper… along with the crows feet around my eyes.  ENTER…BOTOX!

READER SAVINGS ALERT:  If you want BOTOX, you can get 10% OFF just by telling them MyDFWMommy sent you!  Expert doc and a way to save!  LOVE IT!Secrets to Staying Younger 1

Dr. Lori Stetler is very well-known in this community and frankly, “just knows her stuff!” See her bio below and you’ll be mightily impressed. She said while we wait for my tan to fade, she decided to tackle my forehead and crows feet.

When I went in, I was pleasantly surprised to get some numbing cream on those areas before she started the injections.  Did that EVER do the trick.  I couldn’t feel much of anything as she was injecting the BOTOX.

Funny story time.  For SOME STRANGE reason I was under the impression or had heard from someone that BOTOX was snake venom.  I hadn’t done much research beyond that, so I just “bought into the idea”.  I asked Dr. Stetler about this and she kind of chuckled as she’s heard all kinds of stories about where BOTOX comes from.  She was kind enough to explain:

Botox is an innovative non-surgical wrinkle treatments have created a lot of excitement among cosmetic dermatologists and their patients who seek to reverse the visible effects of aging on the face. BOTOX is actually made using a purified toxin that is naturally produced by the bacteria clostridium botulinum. This type of medication has been used by ophthalmologists and neurologists since 1980 to treat lazy eye, eye spasms, and certain other neurologic disorders.

Secrets to Staying Younger 2The whole procedure took less than 30 minutes and in 4-5 days I was seeing the effects.  I have a natural forehead wrinkle, but not deep.  My crows feet are virtually GONE (except when I smile, lol).  She did an amazing job at making the transition natural.  You can’t tell I had BOTOX, but when my hubby came home from his work trip on Friday, he noticed that I looked “different and refreshed”.  Hmmmm, you think I told him I got BOTOX?  HECK NO!

Something to keep in mind.  BOTOX is temporary and should last from 4-6 months depending on the person. It’s great for frown lines between the brows and crow’s fee. BOTOX targets the underlying causes of lines, the repeated muscle contractions from frowning and squinting over the years.  BOTOX temporarily reduces this muscle activity so you’ll notice smoothing of these lines.

Don’t worry, you don’t lose the ability to show expression.  With the injections, it feels kind of like a pinch.  With the numbing cream, I didn’t even feel that.

Side Effects:

Some can get some bruising, but I was bruise free.

Other potential side effects:  eyelid drooping, eyelid swelling, dry mouth, discomfort, headache, neck pain (all less than 1%)!

Post Treatment:

*Remain upright for 4 hours after procedure

*Don’t touch the treated area for 4 hours (touching can leave unwanted side effects)

*Actively use the treated muslce groups (frown, squint and smile for 1 hour after the procedure to help the BOTOX bind and enhance the results

*BOTOX doesn’t take effect immediately.  It can take several days or up to two weeks to see the results

Cost:

The cost of BOTOX can vary depending on the amount that you need.  A rule of thumb is around $350-$600.

BOTOX is sold by the unit in most offices.  The frown lines generally requires between 12-30 units.  Forehead, 12-30 units, crows, 4-12 per side.  The amount varies depending on how thick the muscle is and then overlying skin and amounts previously used in the past for good results.

This is my BEFORE pictures.  I will be sharing AFTER pictures with BOTOX next week.

laura mugshot

 

Here are some great lessons I’m learning during this series:

Lesson #1:  If you’re wanting to do any type of treatments, get back to your original skin color

Lesson #2:  Dr. Stetler advised in get “hooked” on sunscreens.  The higher the number the better.  She said SPF 30 is great IF you re-apply but many of us often don’t nor do we put it on well enough.  Her opinion, go higher on sunscreen for added protection.  For me, she suggested sunscreens with helioplex, for example Neutrogena, Aveeno an LaRoche Posey. For more information on sunscreen, you can read my post on How to Choose the Best Sunscreen here.

Lesson #3:  Become one with an umbrella and hat when your out in the sun.

Lesson #4:  Don’t just protect your face, protect your body and sun will damage and age other parts including your legs, hands, etc.

Lesson #5: Botox is a REALLY quick way to bring back youth and fix trouble spots. This FDA-approved product helps to soften facial expression lines around the forehead, eyes, and mouth without surgical intervention or unnecessary downtime.

I’ll be checking back in with you and sharing before and after shots along the way and hope you will learn secrets to staying younger with Dr. Stetler right along with me!

Screen Shot 2015-08-29 at 1.30.32 PMLori Stetler, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist in Dallas whose career path began with an undergraduate education from Baylor University in Texas. She was a summa cum laude graduate and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She received her medical degree from UT Southwestern Medical School where she was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. She completed an internship in internal medicine and a dermatology residency at the UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. She served as chief resident her senior year. She became board-certified in dermatology in 1993. Following her residency, Dr. Stetler began her private practice in dermatology in Dallas at Medical City. She moved her practice to its current location in Preston Center in 2001.

Training and Achievements

Dr. Stetler specializes in cosmetic dermatology, laser surgery, dermatologic surgery and general medical dermatology. Dr. Stetler is a Clinical Professor in the department of dermatology at UT Southwestern. She currently trains dermatology residents, fellows and medical students in cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery. Dr. Stetler is a national speaker and trainer for several pharmaceutical companies in the proper use and injection techniques of neurotoxins and injectable fillers.

Dr. Stetler is active in a number of local and national organizations including the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. She has served as president of the Dallas/Fort Worth Dermatological Society. Dr. Stetler has been named one of the “Best Doctors in Dallas” by D Magazine annually since 2001.

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