Are you worried about wrinkles and thinking about getting botox? Botox is a popular wrinkle reduction treatment that can get your face looking smooth and youthful in just a few minutes.  But how does botox work, and what can you expect after treatment.

What Is Botox

Botox or botulinum toxin type A isa highly purified form of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.  Botox is administered in low doses to treat dynamic wrinkles which are caused by repeated facial expressions. Common dynamic wrinkles include forehead lines, crow’s feet, and frown lines. 

How Does Botox Work

Botox targets the underlying muscle movement that causes dynamic wrinkles to develop.  The muscles normally contract in response to the release of certain chemical messengers from the nerves.  When botox is injected into the facial muscle it prevents the release of these chemical messengers and relaxes the area, causing existing wrinkles to soften.

The muscles start to relax about 3-7 days after botox, and the wrinkles gradually become less visible.  The effects of botox last an average of 3-4 months, but the timeline may vary for each patient.  Muscle activity will return after that time and if follow-up injections arenot done to maintain the results,the wrinkles will reappear.

There is little to no discomfort during botox treatment.

What To Expect After Treatment?

Botox is a non-invasive procedure so there is minimal or no downtime.  There may be some bruising or swelling at the treatment site after the injections, but patients are generally able to resume normal activities right away.

Would you like to learn more about botox?   Search our directory to find a practice in your area.

If you are in the Vancouver, BC area, Yaletown Laser Centre is our featured practice.

You can reach them at www.yaletownlaser.com, or by calling(604) 227-7766.

Botox is one of the most sought after non-invasive cosmetic treatments around the world, because it successfully reduces wrinkles in the upper portion of the face. But despite its reputation as a wonder treatment,concerns are frequently raised about the safety of botox. 

Is Botox Safe?

Questions regarding the safety of botox often arise because the drug is made from the bacterium that causes botulism, which is a type of food poisoning.However, botox used for reducing wrinkles is a purified protein that is given in tiny doses,so it is very safe.   Also, research has shown that botox can be used in both the short and long term without serious complications.

When botox is injected into the specific facial muscle, it inhibits the release of chemical signals from the nerves, and temporarily prevents muscle contraction. This causes the muscles to relax, so the wrinkles become softer and less visible over time.  Botox injections start working a few days after treatment, and the effects last approximately 3-4 months.

When it comes to the safety of botox, it is also vital to consider the experience and qualifications of the provider, because botox can be harmful if administered incorrectly. To ensure safety, patients should only receive botox injections from an experienced medical professional such as a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon.  These practitioners have the expertise needed to minimize complications.

Botox side-effects

Botox injections are generally well-tolerated, but some people may experience side-effects.  Common side-effects of botox include mild bruising, swelling, and tenderness at the injection site.

Would you like to learn more about botox?  Search our directory to find a practice in your area.

If you are in the Wall Township, NJ area, Karolak Facial Plastic Surgeon is our featured practice.

You can reach them at www.drkarolak.com, or by calling (732) 392-7411.

Each year millions of women and men across the US get botox injections in pursuit of a more youthful appearance, so chances are you know at least one person that has gotten botox.  But have you ever wondered how botox works?

Wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes are often the first sign of facial aging, and they can make you look tired and older than you are.  Botox is used to reduce the appearance of these wrinkles and give the face a softer, more youthful appearance.

What Exactly Is Botox?

Botox is a trademark name for botulinum toxin A, which is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.    This toxin can lead to serious effects in large quantities and is known to cause botulism.  However, botox is injected in extremely small dilute amounts when used for cosmetic purposes, and is therefore very safe, but it must only be administered by a qualified, experienced injector.  

Botox Treats Dynamic Wrinkles

Botox smooths dynamic wrinkles that are formed by the repeated contraction of the underlying facial muscles.   The most common dynamic wrinkles are crow’s feet, frown lines, and forehead lines.  Botox is not an injectable filler, so it cannot treat wrinkles caused by loss of facial volume.

How Does Botox work

Whenever you frown, laugh, squint or make any other facial expression, the underlying muscles contract, and over time wrinkles and furrows develop in the skin.  The muscles contract in response to signals sent from the nerves.

When botox is injected directly into specific facial muscles beneath the skin, it blocks the chemical messenger the nerves normally send to the muscles.  Since a signal is not transmitted from the nerves the injected muscles aren’t able to contract, so they eventually relax.  As the muscles relax the nearby wrinkles soften and become less visible.   Botox also slows the onset of future dynamic wrinkles.

People often think that botox numbs the face and prevents any physical sensation, but this is not true, it only reduces muscle movement.  Also, patients are still able to make facial expressions, but the area where botox was injected will be noticeably smoother.

Botox Provides Temporary Results

Botox is a temporary treatment and the effects gradually fade after 3-6 months, as the main protein in botox starts to break down at this time.   The muscles will therefore be able to move again and wrinkles will reappear.  

First-time botox users may notice that their results wear off sooner than expected, but botox often lasts longer with repeated use because the facial muscles become conditioned to the drug.    

How Is Botox Treatment Done

Botox is a simple procedure that takes about 10 minutes, and requires no anesthesia.  An ultrafine needle is used to inject botox into the targeted facial muscles.  The number of injections required will depend on the severity of the wrinkles being treated.

Patients are typically advised not to rub or massage the area for at least 24 hours after treatment.  

Is There Any Downtime

Botox is a completely non-surgical treatment, so there is no downtime.

What Results Can You Expect?

The effects of botox are usually seen about 3-7 days after treatment, but improvements may continue for up to 2 weeks.

When botox is injected in the right areas using the correct dosage the face should look smooth, and natural facial expressions should be possible.  A frozen or fixed appearance after botox treatment is usually a telltale sign that too much botox was injected.

Are There Any Side-effects

Common side-effects associated with botox cosmetic include bruising and swelling at the injection site, but these usually go away within a few days.  More serious side-effects can occur with botox, but these are very rare.

Benefits Of Botox

Botox is a quick, minimally invasive treatment that is quite affordable and accessible.  Since the treatment takes just a few minutes to complete, it can be easily worked into any skincare routine.  Also, botox can be combined with dermal fillers for even better facial rejuvenation results.

Choosing Your Botox Injector

If you are thinking about getting botox, it is always advisable to consult with an experienced certified medical professional.  There have been cases in which patients have experienced less than desirable results with botox, because the drug was not injected in the right area.  That’s why it is so important to choose a reputable physician that understands facial muscle anatomy, and has the expertise needed to administer botox safely and effectively.

Would you like to learn more about botox cosmetic?  Search our directory to find a practice in your area.

If you are in the San Antonio, TX area, The Face and Body Place is our featured practice.   At The Face and Body Place, botox injectable treatment is performed by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kimberly Finder.

You can reach Dr. Finder at www.kimberlyfindermd.com or by calling (210) 879-4809.