Botox & Dermal Fillers
At Chicago Arbor Eye Institute, Dr. Sharfi offers therapeutic and cosmetic Botox treatments to help patients look and feel their best. Whether you’re seeking to reduce the appearance of wrinkles or find relief from certain medical conditions, our expert team is here to guide you through the process.
What is Botox?
Botox, short for Botulinum toxin, is a neurotoxic protein derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. While the term “toxin” might sound alarming, Botox has been safely used in medical and cosmetic applications for over two decades.
The FDA approved Botox for cosmetic use in 2002, marking a significant milestone in noninvasive aesthetic treatments. In its purified form, Botox is a powerful muscle relaxant.
This makes Botox valuable not only for cosmetic purposes but also for treating various medical conditions. At Chicago Arbor Eye Institute, we use Botox for both cosmetic improvements and medical treatment of certain conditions.
What Can Botox Treat?
Botox’s capabilities extend far beyond wrinkle reduction. This treatment has many uses, such as:
Cosmetic Uses
Therapeutic Uses
At Chicago Arbor Eye Institute, Dr. Sharfi tailors each Botox treatment to the individual needs of our patients, ensuring optimal results whether the goal is cosmetic enhancement or symptom relief.
How Does Botox Work?
Botox works by temporarily preventing certain muscles from moving. When Dr. Sharfi injects Botox into specific areas, it blocks the signals that usually tell these muscles to contract.
For wrinkle treatment, this means the muscles that cause lines on your face can’t move as much.
When these muscles relax, the skin over them smooths out, making wrinkles less noticeable.
This gives your face a more relaxed, youthful look. For people who get migraines, Botox may reduce headaches by relaxing muscles and blocking pain signals.
The effects of Botox aren’t permanent, which is why treatments need to be repeated every few months to maintain the results.
What Happens During an Appointment for Botox?
A Botox appointment at Chicago Arbor Eye Institute is a quick, minimally invasive procedure that typically takes fifteen to thirty minutes. Here’s what you can expect:
Consultation
Dr. Sharfi will discuss your goals, medical history, and any concerns you may have.
Treatment Planning
Based on your needs, Dr. Sharfi will determine the appropriate injection sites and dosage.
Preparation
The treatment area will be cleaned and marked if needed.
Treatment
Dr. Sharfi will administer Botox to the targeted muscles.
Care After Treatment
You’ll receive instructions on aftercare, including activities to avoid immediately following the procedure.
Most people experience minimal discomfort and can return to daily activities immediately after treatment. Results typically begin to appear within three to seven days and can last three to four months for cosmetic applications, or longer for some therapeutic uses.
Is Botox Right For Me?
Botox can be an excellent option for many people, but it’s essential to determine if it’s the right choice for your specific needs. The best way to do this is by having a consultation with Dr. Sharfi at Chicago Arbor Eye Institute.
You might be a good candidate for Botox if:
However, Botox may not be suitable if:
During your consultation at Chicago Arbor Eye Institute, Dr. Sharfi will carefully evaluate your medical history, current health status, and aesthetic or therapeutic goals to determine if Botox is the proper treatment for you. She will also discuss alternative options if Botox is not the best fit for you.
What is DAXXIFY?
DAXXIFY is one of the latest advancements in wrinkle-smoothing treatments, offering patients at Chicago Arbor Eye Institute longer-lasting results than conventional injectables. As the only FDA-approved treatment powered by a peptide, DAXXIFY can help smooth moderate to severe frown lines between the brows with results that last six to nine months.
Unlike traditional treatments that typically require up to four appointments per year, DAXXIFY can help you maintain results for a full year with as few as two treatments. DAXXIFY uses purified botulinum toxin type A protein, similar to other neuromodulators, to block nerve signals to muscles and relax wrinkles. What sets DAXXIFY apart is its unique formulation with a synthetic peptide stabilizer.
This peptide, which serves as a healthy building block similar to those found in collagen and elastin, helps stabilize the botulinum toxin and increases its ability to enter nerve cells. This innovative approach eliminates the need for human or animal byproducts used in conventional injectables.
When Dr. Sharfi administers DAXXIFY to the frown lines between your brows, it relaxes the targeted muscles, giving them a smoother, softer texture.
What to Expect During DAXXIFY Treatment
DAXXIFY treatments at Chicago Arbor Eye Institute are quick, in-office procedures. Dr. Sharfi typically completes most treatments in fifteen minutes to an hour, depending on the areas being addressed. Many patients describe the sensation as similar to a small pinch, and you can return to normal activities right after your appointment.
DAXXIFY After Treatment Care
Following your treatment with Dr. Sharfi, you may experience temporary side effects such as mild redness, swelling, tenderness, or bruising at the injection sites. These effects are normal and typically resolve within a few days to a week.
For DAXXIFY, many patients see results within one to two days after treatment. Dr. Sharfi provides detailed aftercare instructions to optimize your results and minimize any temporary side effects.
Is DAXXIFY Right for Me?
If you are interested in exploring treatment for frown lines, or your current treatment for frown lines isn’t lasting as long as you would like, DAXXIFY could be the solution for you. The best way to determine which treatment is right for your specific needs is through a consultation with Dr. Sharfi at Chicago Arbor Eye Institute. During your visit, she will evaluate your concerns, aesthetic goals, and medical history to recommend the most appropriate treatment plan for achieving your desired results.
Results from DAXXIFY may vary based on your unique anatomical structure, biological characteristics, and how your body responds to the treatment. Although your provider will apply their expertise and skill to achieve optimal outcomes, it’s not possible to guarantee a particular result, level of improvement, or how long effects will last. Any images or case examples provided serve as general references and do not ensure the same outcomes for all individuals.
What are Dermal Fillers?
While DAXXIFY addresses dynamic wrinkles caused by muscle movement, dermal fillers work differently to restore lost facial volume. As skin ages, it naturally loses volume and structure, resulting in wrinkles, hollows, and folds around the eyes and face. Dr. Sharfi uses dermal fillers to restore this lost volume, creating a more youthful contour that can last anywhere from six months to two years.
Most dermal fillers contain hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance that occurs naturally in your body. This essential substance helps maintain moisture, volume, and elasticity in your skin.
As we age, our bodies produce less hyaluronic acid, resulting in the formation of wrinkles and a decrease in skin firmness. By replenishing this through targeted injections, Dr. Sharfi can temporarily reverse the effects of facial aging.
Dermal fillers can address multiple concerns simultaneously, including restoring facial volume, smoothing wrinkles, enhancing lip fullness, and creating more defined facial contours.
What to Expect During Dermal Filler Treatment
Dermal filler appointments at Chicago Arbor Eye Institute are convenient procedures completed right in the office. Treatment time with Dr. Sharfi typically ranges from fifteen minutes to an hour, varying by the number of areas being addressed. Most patients find the injections comfortable, describing only minimal discomfort during the process. You’ll be able to get back to your regular activities as soon as you leave the office.
Dermal Filler After Treatment Care
Following your dermal filler procedure with Dr. Sharfi, you might experience some mild side effects in the treated areas such as redness, swelling, sensitivity, or bruising. This is a normal part of the healing process and these symptoms typically disappear within a few days to a week.
With dermal fillers, you’ll often see instant improvement, though your final, fully-settled results will become apparent once any initial puffiness resolves. Dr. Sharfi ensures you receive thorough aftercare instructions to maximize your results and manage any short-term effects.
Are Dermal Fillers Right for Me?
Dermal fillers are an excellent choice if you’re looking to address concerns like diminished facial volume, hollow areas, deep creases, or pronounced folds. These injectable treatments restore youthful fullness and smooth away lines.
Discovering whether dermal fillers are the right fit for you starts with a personalized consultation with Dr. Sharfi at Chicago Arbor Eye Institute. During this meeting, she’ll examine your specific concerns, listen to your aesthetic aspirations, and consider your medical history to create a customized treatment approach tailored to help you achieve your desired outcome.
Outcomes from dermal fillers depend on the type of filler used, as well as each individual’s anatomy, physiology, and response to the product. Photographs or examples shown are for illustrative purposes only and do not ensure similar results for every patient. While your provider will use their best judgment and technique, no specific result, degree of correction, or duration of effect can be guaranteed.
