Botox® Cosmetic Injections

Honolulu's Top Certified Botox® Specialist - Dr. Carolyn Mai MD
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Botox® Wrinkle Relaxer

FDA approved and ideal treatment for eliminating wrinkles, frown lines, and crow’s feet.

Wrinkles make you look a lot older than you feel. And if you’re anything like me, you don’t need the constant reminder that you’re not 25 anymore every time you look in the mirror! Luckily, Botox® can help with those pesky wrinkles that seem to rob your face of its youthful appearance.

Our office primarily uses Botox® but we also offer Xeomin®, Dysport®, and the latest Jeuveau™ all of which may be collectively referred to as “Botox®”. These “wrinkle relaxers” soothe facial wrinkles including lines on the forehead, between the eyebrows and around the eyes. You can also use these treatments on other areas of your face to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. We also utilize Botox® elsewhere on the body, for example to help soften neck and arm muscles in order to give them a more feminine look. Botox® can also be used to prevent underarm sweating.

Common Areas of Botox® Treatment

Bunny Lines
Bunny Lines
Bunny Lines
Frown Lines
Frown Lines
Frown Lines
Lip Lines
Lip Lines
Lip Lines
Forehead Lines
Forehead Lines
Forehead Lines
Crows Feet
Crows Feet
Crows Feet
Sweaty Armpits
Sweaty Armpits
Sweaty Armpits
Open Eyes
Open Eyes
Open Eyes
Brow Lift
Brow Lift
Brow Lift
Sweaty Hands
Sweaty Hands
Sweaty Hands
Square Jaw & TMJ
Square Jaw & TMJ
Square Jaw & TMJ
Pitted chin
Pitted chin
Pitted chin
Downward mouth
Downward mouth
Downward mouth
Neck bands
Neck bands
Neck bands
Horizontal neck lines
Horizontal neck lines
Horizontal neck lines
Create sharp jawline
Create sharp jawline
Create sharp jawline
Elongation of neck
Elongation of neck
Elongation of neck
Soften arm muscles
Soften arm muscles
Soften arm muscles
Botox® is a liquid injection containing the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This may sound like a bad thing, but scientists have found a way to use this bacterium to human advantages. In small, diluted amounts, Botox® can be injected to make muscles weaker, so that they won’t tug on the overlying skin, and thus wrinkles disappear.

Botox® was FDA approved for human use in the 1980s to treat uncontrolled blinking and lazy eye. Since then, doctors have successfully been using Botox® to treat facial creases and wrinkles. In 2002, Botox® also gained approval from the FDA for the treatment of frown lines between the eyebrows, which are called glabella lines or “11’s”. In 2013, Botox® was approved for crow’s feet, the wrinkles on the sides of your eyes when you smile.

Botox® injections are gently inserted into the muscles of your face where wrinkles are present. It works by blocking signals from your nerves to the muscles. After an injection, the muscle has been treated can no longer contract. This allows your wrinkles to soften and relax so that they are no longer visible. Most Botox® injections are used on forehead lines, crow’s feet, and glabella lines.

Contrary to popular belief, Botox® injections are not painful! There is no anesthesia required and most people barely feel the injections. Using a fine needle and an experienced, guided hand, Dr. Mai specialized in Botox® injections with only minor discomfort that quickly goes away. It may take up to two weeks for the Botox® injections to take full effect. However, most people notice results in a few days.

During this time, we recommend that you avoid alcohol, aspirin, and anti-inflammatory medications. One Botox® treatment can last three to four months and sometimes up to six months. After this time, lines and wrinkles tend to reappear and need to be retreated. After several injections, you may notice that you need fewer treatments or less amounts of Botox® because you are training your muscles to relax so that wrinkles no longer appear or the muscles are weaker.

Xeomin®, Dysport®, & the latest Jeuveau™

An alternative to Botox.

Some people prefer a more natural alternative to Botox. That’s why we offer Xeomin It’s a prescription medication that contains no additives, only botulinum toxin type A, which is the active ingredient that allows your muscles to relax and wrinkles to disappear. Like Botox, Xeomin is also approved by the FDA.

Just like Botox®, Xeomin can last several months and may take several days before you feel the full effect. The primary difference between Xeomin and Botox® is that Xeomin does not contain additives. This means that your body is less likely to develop antibodies against it. Whereas Botox® may include several different ingredients, Xeomin only contains one. If you’re unsure which treatment is right for you, our office is happy to help you make that decision.

These are other brands of botulinum toxin.  Dysport® was FDA approved in 2009, Xeomin® in 2011, and Jeuveau™ most recently in early 2019.  Jeuveau has two major clinical trials showing 67-71% of patients experience a slightly quicker response than the other wrinkle relaxers.  Some patients also reported that the results lasted up to six months.  Although Dr. Mai has been primarily injecting Botox® over the last decade, one of these other botulinum toxins may be better for some patients under certain circumstances.

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FAQ

Common Questions Answered.

What is the average age of someone who receives Botox®?

We treat patients of all ages, from 21 to 80 years old. There is no right or wrong age to receive an injection. The procedure can benefit anyone who feels they’d like to look younger. People in their 20”s are getting Botox® injections to “prejuvenate” themselves, meaning they are now using Botox® to prevent wrinkle from forming and get permanently etched wrinkles.

Is Botox® for women only?

Approximately 95% of people who received a Botox® injection are women. However, men can also greatly benefit from the procedure because they are not exempt form wrinkles!  Everyday we see more and more men getting botox.  Men get Botox® for many reasons, such as looking younger to compete in the work force or just want to feel better.

Does insurance cover Botox?

No.  This is a cosmetic procedure, so medical insurance does not cover this.

What are possible side effects of Botox?

Most people respond well to Botox® without any significant side effects.  However, some patients may experience pain, discomfort, bruising at the injection site.  Headaches may occur, but usually reside after about 24 to 48 hours.  A very small percentage of Botox® patients experience eyelid drooping that may persist until the Botox® wears off in a few months.  We recommend that you do not rub the area or lay down for several hours after receiving your Botox® injection.  Also you should not drink alcohol or do heavy exercise for 24 hours after Botox® treatment.

What should I expect during your treatment?

Your treatment will take 15 to 30 minutes. Dr. Mai will evaluate how much Botox® you will need. Dr. Mai tends to give a more natural look and does not like to over do the treatment. We charge by the unit, so you pay for what you need. This is a more fair way of charging patients. Your face will be marked with a facial pencil for accurate placement of the botox. Ice may be applied for a more comfortable experience. Most people do not need ice because patients say Dr. Mai’s hands are very gentle and do not cause any unnecessary pain. Avery small needle will be used to inject directly into the muscles. You can return to work the same day after your treatment.

Why do people get Botox®?

People get Botox® for many reasons. It could be because they don’t like lines between their eyebrows or they don’t like the etched lines that form due to muscle actions wrinkling the skin. You can also receive Botox® injections to help control underarm sweating. No matter what your reasoning is, our office can help!

Who should not get a Botox® injection?

Botox® injections are safe for mostly everyone. However, we do not recommend that pregnant or nursing mothers receive injections. Those with a neurological disease may also want to ask her doctor before receiving an injection.

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