Why We Photograph Your Face Before Tox

On November 4, I sat in the patient chair for my own tox treatment. Before anyone picked up a syringe, we did the same thing we do with every patient: we took photos. A lot of them. My face at rest, eyebrows up, a hard frown, a nose scrunch, a big smile, both profiles.

It can feel a little silly to make faces at a camera. Here's why we ask.

Your face at rest tells only half the story

Tox works on muscles that move. A photo of your face at rest shows lines that are there all the time, but it doesn't show which muscles are making the creases, how strong they are, or whether one side pulls harder than the other.

So we ask you to move. Each expression switches on a different group of muscles:

• Raising your eyebrows shows the forehead muscle and how high your brows travel.

• Frowning shows the muscles between the brows that make the "11s".

• Scrunching your nose shows the small lines along the sides of the nose.

• Smiling shows the crow's feet around the eyes.

Most faces aren't perfectly even. One brow may sit higher, or one side may crinkle more. Seeing that before treatment helps us plan where to place product and how much, instead of using the same pattern on everyone.

The photos become your plan

After the photos, we talk through what you'd like to soften and what you'd like to keep. Some people want a smooth forehead. Others want to keep some movement so they still look like themselves when they're surprised. Your plan covers where, how much and why, and you hear it before we start.

The two-week check is where the photos pay off

Tox doesn't work instantly. It can take up to two weeks to settle. At your follow-up, we retake the same photos with the same expressions, the same backdrop and the same light, so the comparison is fair.

Memory isn't a good judge here. Most of us don't remember exactly how our frown looked two weeks ago. Side-by-side photos show what changed, what didn't and whether anything needs a small adjustment.

Your photos are part of your medical record

Treatment photos are protected health information. They stay in your chart, and we never post them without your written permission. (Mine are on our social media because I'm the patient and I said yes.)

What to expect at your visit

• Come with a clean face if you can. Makeup can hide the lines we need to see.

• Plan for a few extra minutes the first time for photos and your plan.

• Book your two-week follow-up before you leave.

The same person does your consultation, assessment and treatment, so the person who studies your photos is the person holding the syringe.

If you've been curious about tox, start with a consultation. Call us at (901) 296-8006 or book your visit online.

Results vary. Individual treatment plans are based on anatomy, goals, and medical history. Consultation required. This article is general information and does not replace medical advice.