What Is Botox®?
Botox® (onabotulinumtoxinA) — or Botox® Cosmetic — is the first and only FDA-approved treatment that temporarily improves the appearance of moderate-to-severe frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines. In contrast with facial plastic surgery, treatment with Botox® takes only 10 minutes to perform and requires zero downtime for recovery following the procedure.
Derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, this noninvasive treatment is widely used by cosmetic dermatologists as both a successful cosmetic treatment for wrinkles and facial creases and an effective medical treatment for excessive sweating (axillary hyperhidrosis); cervical dystonia; eye twitching; muscle contractures; chronic migraine; and bladder issues.
How Does Botox® Work?
Dynamic wrinkles are characterized as wrinkles that appear as the muscles contract and result over time from movement of facial muscles due to smiling, laughing, and squinting. Very fine lines and wrinkles are formed when collagen — a naturally occurring protein located beneath the top layers of the skin — begins to thin. Dermal fillers, such as Botox®, targets underlying muscle activity beneath the skin’s surface that causes both frown lines and crow’s feet.
When an individual squints, frowns, or makes other facial expressions, their nerves release acetylcholine (a chemical neurotransmitter) which binds to receptors within the face to cause muscle contraction. Botox® treatment works by binding to the acetylcholine receptors and, thereafter, blocking the signals from the nerves to the muscles. The injected muscle can no longer contract (tighten) as forcefully, which causes the wrinkles to relax and soften.
Botox® Injection Technique
Botox® injections are directly administered into specific neuromuscular tissues using a fine needle, resulting in only minor discomfort to the patient. The procedure requires minutes to perform and no anesthesia is required. The full effects of treatment typically require 7–10 days to appear. Patients may begin to see results within 24 to 48 hours after treatment with maximum effects appearance in 30 days following treatment. Patients should avoid consuming alcoholic beverages for at least a week and the use of any anti-inflammatory medications for at least two weeks before treatment to reduce the occurrence of bruising at the Botox® injection sites.
Is Botox® Safe?
Botox® is an FDA-approved treatment that is widely considered to be safe when administered by experienced skin specialist. This treatment is proven to be both valuable and successful as a therapeutic protein both for cosmetic and medical purposes with consideration of dosage and frequency of treatment, among other factors. The best way to ensure optimal results of treatment is to receive injections only from experienced Botox® clinic, such as Advanced Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center. Schedule a cosmetic and skin care treatment today.
How Long Does Botox® Last?
Following Botox® injections, the effects of the treatment typically last 3–6 months. Muscle activity will gradually return as the treatment loses effectiveness and previously treated lines and wrinkles may begin to reappear. With repeated treatment, facial lines and wrinkles often appear less severe as the muscles are trained to relax. Factors that may affect the duration and effects of treatment include a patient’s age; skin condition and degree of skin damage; facial structure and expressions; diet; and previous experiences with wrinkle relaxers.
Botox® Risks
The most common side effects associated with Botox® fillers include temporary bruising and slight pain with injection. While most individuals between 18 and 65 years of age are candidates for cosmetic fillers, patients should avoid treatment if they are pregnant or breastfeeding; are allergic to albumin or a portion of the preservative; or have a neurological disease.
While side effects of treatment with Botox® are rare, a very small percentage of patients may develop drooping of the corners of the mouth; drooping of the eyebrows or eyelids; or the inability to use a straw, depending on the location of the injection. No serious side effects have been recorded following the use of Botox® at the appropriate dermatologic doses.
Botox® Before & After
Among the wide range of benefits associated with face fillers is the clear presence of results within a few days of treatment as well as the lack of recovery time required following the procedure. Botox® results can help patients both look and feel rejuvenated through the softening of forehead lines, crow’s feet, and glabellar lines. This noninvasive injection relaxes and stills the muscles, resulting in facial skin that appears both firmer and smoother. What’s more, repeated use of Botox® may result in long-term improvements to the overall appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. For more information about the results of professional wrinkle relaxers or to view Botox® before and after photos, contact our dermatology clinic today.