Are those pesky crow’s feet or forehead lines getting in the way of your confidence? Botox Cosmetic may be the answer for you. The wrinkle-smoothing benefits of Botox are well-known, and that’s why it’s the most popular cosmetic procedure around the world. But despite the popularity of Botox, many people are still not sure exactly how it works. So how does Botox work?
What Is Botox Cosmetic?
Botox Cosmetic is an injectable treatment that is FDA approved for reducing the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet. It is a neuromodulator that contains dilute amounts of botulinum toxin type A.
Botulinum toxin can be dangerous in large amounts, but the small, highly purified dosage units used to treat facial wrinkles are safe.
What Does Botox Treat?
Botox treats dynamic wrinkles such as crow’s feet, frown lines, and forehead wrinkles. These wrinkles form over time, due to the repeated contraction of the underlying muscles related to facial expressions such as squinting, smiling, and frowning.
Botox has its origin in ophthalmology. Before Botox was cleared by the FDA for aesthetic use in 2002, it was used to treat strabismus, which is the misalignment of the eyes. Nowadays, Botox is also used to treat other medical conditions such as migraines, muscle spasms, and excessive underarm sweating.
How Does Botox Work?
Botox is a muscle relaxer that targets the muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles to form.
During treatment, Botox is injected into the desired facial muscles and blocks the release of neurotransmitters that activate the muscle fibers. This stops the muscles from contracting. When the muscles no longer contract, the overlying skin smooths out over time, resulting in a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Botox also gives the entire face a more youthful look.
A typical Botox session takes less than 30 minutes, and the effects are visible within 48 hours of treatment.
There may be some bruising and redness at the injection site after Botox, but there is virtually no downtime. Therefore, patients can resume normal activities right away.
The results of Botox typically last 3-4 months. New nerve endings start to grow within a few weeks of treatment, so the muscles eventually resume full movement, and wrinkles reappear. Patients will therefore have to schedule follow-up treatments to maintain the results.
Are There Any Side-Effects?
Common side-effects of Botox include headache, redness, and bruising at the injection site. More serious side-effects can occur, and patients should discuss these with their doctor before undergoing treatment.
Will You Look Natural After Botox?
Although Botox prevents the muscles from moving during facial expressions, the results should look subtle and completely natural. However, when the rules relating to Botox injectable treatment are not strictly followed it can lead to results that look uneven or unnatural.
To get the best results, Botox should be administered by a trained, qualified professional, with knowledge of facial anatomy.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Botox?
The best candidates for Botox are people whose primary concerns are wrinkles across the forehead and around the eyes caused by facial muscle movement. Candidates should also be in good health and at least 18 years of age. Botox is not recommended for people with a history of neuromuscular disease or women who are pregnant or nursing.
Botox has become a popular treatment among young people in their twenties, who are choosing to get Botox as soon as wrinkles first appear.
Are you ready to turn back the clock on facial aging and rejuvenate your skin? Botox may be the ideal treatment for you.