When patients come in for Botox, they often have very different ideas about what they want their results to look like. Some want visible softening of lines, while others prefer changes that are subtle enough to go unnoticed by others. This range of expectations is one reason that a customizable treatment like Botox works well for a wide variety of patients.
At Meliora Integrative Medicine, we hear frequent requests for natural-looking results from our patients in Evanston and Chicago. If you want to address signs of aging, but also keep your natural expressions and features, we can talk to you about strategies you and your provider can use to get the level of correction you want while preserving natural-looking movement.
What Is Botox and How Does It Work?
Botox is a neuromodulator that treats dynamic wrinkles, which form after years of facial movements like frowning, squinting or raising your eyebrows. These lines differ from static wrinkles, which are more deeply etched into the skin and are still visible when your skin is resting. Static wrinkles are tied to volume loss and skin texture, while dynamic wrinkles are closely linked to muscle movement.
Botox temporarily blocks the signal between a nerve and the muscle it controls, which reduces how strongly that muscle contracts. When the muscle relaxes, the skin above it folds less aggressively and allows areas with lines to look smoother. The amount of Botox and other factors impact how much movement remains once the treatment has had time to cause its full effect.
What “Natural-Looking” Means in the Context of Botox
When patients want natural-looking results with Botox, they do not always mean the same thing. For some, it means keeping full movement in the eyebrows and forehead while still softening a few lines. Others want a more polished appearance but without the frozen look sometimes associated with overtreatment. Natural-looking means that results suit your face, match your expressions and look consistent with how you normally appear while fitting the aesthetic goals you have for your appearance.
How to Get the Results You Want With Botox
Consider the Types of Results You Want
Before starting Botox, spend time thinking about the type of result you are hoping to get from the treatment. You can look at before and after photos to get a more realistic idea of what results Botox can provide for individuals with similar concerns. Bring this information to your appointment so you can be on the same page as your provider before beginning injections.
Prioritize Provider Skill Over Cost
While cost is an important consideration for cosmetic treatments, the skill of your injector is even more crucial. Make sure you consider the following when choosing a provider:
- Knowledge of Facial Anatomy: In-depth study of facial muscles and how they work together is foundational for good Botox results. Make sure to choose a provider that has this knowledge so you can get the best results from your botulinum toxin treatments.
- Injection Technique and Location: Small adjustments in angle, depth, or spacing can change how a muscle relaxes.
- Experience With Subtle Aesthetics: Talk to your provider about their philosophy of aesthetics. They may be a right fit for you if they prioritize methods that blend with natural features and enhance what patients already have.
Start With Low Volume Injections
With Botox treatments, you can always add more product once you have seen your results and how your muscles respond. If you still see more movement than you would like after two or three weeks, you can come back in for a little more. Ask your injector if you can start conservatively and return for a follow-up.
Time Treatments Well
Botox tends to last between three and four months for most people. The timing of maintenance treatments is different for everyone, but you can keep fresh and natural-looking results by coming in as the effects from the previous treatment begin to fade. Make sure to maintain flexibility in scheduling since treatments often last longer once your muscles get more used to being relaxed.
Our Botox Consultation Process
During your consultation, we start by evaluating how your facial muscles move in both relaxed and animated states. Subtle differences in muscle strength and movement patterns can influence where Botox injections will be most effective, and injection amounts are often different for male patients because of facial anatomy. We will also review any previous treatments you have had and how your face responds to expression in different areas. Make sure to come prepared with before and after photos and a list of medications and treatments you have had.
We will also make sure you are a good overall candidate for the treatment. It is important that you have a good understanding of the treatment, how it works and the type of results it offers. We determine whether your skin is healthy with no active infections and may ask about certain conditions like neurological diseases or pregnancy that could impact candidacy.
Schedule Your Botox Consultation in Evanston, IL
Botox can help soften expression lines, support natural movement, and offer subtle changes when injected by a knowledgeable provider. At Meliora Integrative Medicine, we build our practice on an integrative approach. Founded by Dr. Rowena Chua in 2013, the practice grew out of a desire to do more than treat disease and instead help patients move toward lasting wellness.
With a background in neurology and fellowship training with Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. Chua brings a strong understanding of how stress, hormones, and lifestyle influence both health and aesthetics. Botox injections are one of the many services we provide for patients in Evanston, IL, and throughout the Chicago area. To schedule a consultation or learn more, contact us through our online form or call 847-440-4355.
