Botox to Prevent Wrinkles: How to Use Botox to Fight Wrinkles

There are numerous options when it comes to fending off wrinkles and one of these is a botox injection. It is common for one to wonder whether botox prevents wrinkles or treats the ones one has. Botox can remove the appearance of wrinkles one headed also prevent wrinkles from forming. Given that muscle paralyzing properties of a botox injection, one may wonder how new wrinkles can prevent from forming? Choose botox to treat wrinkles and see how it affects your skin positively. This brings us to the most important question of all– what is botox?

What is Botox

Botox is an injectable substance derived from botulism toxin. This is a dangerous substance in standing water and decaying food. But when used in the right doses and correctly, Botox is safe, US FDA approved and perfect for treating everything from facial wrinkles to migraines.

Botox is often used on crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles and frown lines that appear in between the eyebrows. It can also impact other areas of the face that are affected by wrinkles. If you are seeking solutions for treating or preventing wrinkles, botox injections are the top solution.

Why choose Botox?

If you want to get rid of wrinkles, then Botox is very effective and works very quickly. It is a very popular alternative to invasive methods such as facelifts etc. The problem with Botox, however, is that using it too much can cause it not to work the way you want. It is advisable not to become obsessive about it. You need to make sure that only a professional with a good reputation is administering your Botox for you.

How To Treat and Prevent Wrinkles Using Botox

When a botox injection is placed into the skin, it deadens the nerve impulses to surrounding muscles. This keeps muscles from contracting as they usually do. Wrinkles relax and smoothen out, making them less noticeable. Botox injections become visible within 5-7 days of treatment and last around 3-4 months, based on whether the injections undergo dilution or not.

As more treatments are received, botox treatment becomes effective. This makes continuous injections a viable course for treating wrinkles. One may wonder if botox prevents wrinkles as well. Well, many people use botox as a quick solution for erasing wrinkles. This also helps new wrinkles from a formation.

Botox: Does It Prevent Wrinkles?

Botox prevents wrinkles as it works all round the clock to keep muscles slack. Wrinkles form around the forehead, the eyes and eyebrows on account of facial expressions that are made, such as laughing, frowning and smiling. Contraction of facial muscles makes wrinkle creases become deeper. This is more so when the body secretes less collagen. Collagen is a protein that ensures your skin remains taut and elastic.

As Botox is introduced into the skin, it lessens the chances of wrinkles from forming. It also keeps facial muscles from contraction for many months. This also prevents wrinkle formation. Investment in botox injections 4-6 months may prevent the formation of new wrinkles and be an important choice for fending off aging skin.

If Botox is chosen to prevent wrinkles and fight them, do wait for around at least a minimum of 12 days to see the complete effect of injecting botox. Work with cosmetic surgeons or physicians to get the look you want. Botox is a highly purified toxin that can erase or reduce horizontal forehead line, crow’s feet and vertical frown line.

Botox also lifts the corners of the mouth that are sagging with age. This smooths out pin cushions, softens smoker lines the mouth and neck cords. But too much of anything is bad therefore you need to be cautious about getting a look that is too stretched and unnatural. Like any other injection, botox injections can be painful, especially between the eyebrows. But local anesthesia can solve the problem. Icing the area before applying the injection can be equally effective.

Side Effects

Drugs have side effects and botox is no different. Fortunately, the botox is minor and short-lived and there can be mild droopiness in the eyebrow or eyelids. This usually lessens within two weeks and certain patients experience a bit of bruising.

Prices Vary

While the average botox treatment costs USD 400 per treatment, experienced physicians and surgeons may be on the pricey side. Toxins come dehydrated and can be reconstituted so doctors should either not use enough or over dilute. You don’t require it before wrinkles appear, but botox is also used for other medical treatments. Botox is something that makes you look fresher, more young and cheerful. But signs of botox may appear such as a smooth and shiny forehead.

Photo By: Charles Williams/ CC BY

Whether you opt for a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon, use botox to relax frown lines in the forehead’s middle, just above the nose. The lines can look ungainly if one is not careful. Small amounts of pure toxin are injected into the wrinkles. Botox is also used to treat wrinkles that can emerge with age. Effects of Botox are not long lasting. The treatment has to be repeated every 6 months or so. The upside is that complications always disappear with time.

A botox injection works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles. Botox should not be used if neurological diseases are diagnosed. Pregnant or lactating mothers should also avoid the use of botox. Specific antibiotics and other drugs interfering with the nerve impulse transmission to muscles should not be tried when Botox is used.

A major complication of Botox is the weakening of muscles in the area that is not treated. Improper injection of frown lines can cause a temporary droop of the eyelid. This can disappear within 3 to 6 months. Mild side effects can be avoided and so can temporary ones. Be sure the person you consult is experienced and has used botox on a regular basis.

Botox Injections: Know More

From smoothening of wrinkles to eliminating heavy sweat, there are numerous benefits of Botox injections. The only catch? Facial movements are minimized as a result of botox. Botox is still emerging as an effective cure for wrinkles, so a lot of research is trying to discover the benefits, pitfalls, and advantages of opting for botox injections.

Botox injections are derived from a bacterium called Clostridium Botulinum. This is a kind of bacterium that can be dangerous when consumed. As a cosmetic created in a lab, it is generally considered safe for use on the skin. As it freezes the muscles, it was initially developed for managing spasm attacks, specifically those centered around the eye. However, it was soon found to minimize wrinkles that were superficial and crows feet, as well. It basically freezes the face. If the movement cannot be made to emphasize the wrinkle, the wrinkle will not exist.

For facial wrinkles especially, botox injections are the treatment of choice. Wrinkles are the first sign of aging and manifest themselves around lips, cheeks, forehead, and eyes. Wrinkles are a feature of the face that is normal. Most individuals feel wrinkles make them appear fatigued or older in age. After injecting botox, wrinkles in the face are reduced, especially when the patient contracts facial muscles.

For reducing the appearance of wrinkles, some individuals can also choose shots or injections of botulinum toxin. These injections are known by brand names, including not only Botox but Dysport and Xeomin as well. This injection relaxes the facial muscles. Certain wrinkles become noticeable for a specific time period. Botulinum toxins for facial wrinkles remain one of the most frequently performed treatments for clinicians seeking to incorporate cosmetic modes of working on wrinkles.

Treating frown lines or crows feet which are a cosmetic indication the US FDA approved ensures using botox for this is perfectly fine. When it is used for horizontal shaped forehead lines, as well, there are predictable results, few side effects, and extremely satisfactory results. Wrinkles are the result of skin atrophy and repeated contraction of the inner facial musculature. Botulism toxin is a strong neurotoxin inhibiting the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at the junction of neuromuscular activity. Injection of smaller amounts of botulinum neurotoxin into certain muscles that are overactive leads to local-centric muscle relaxation which evens the skin and staves off wrinkles. The toxin’s effects take about a couple of weeks to fully manifest and last around 3-4 months. Dynamic wrinkles that are seen at the time of muscle contraction yield are more effectively treated using botox than static wrinkles. These are wrinkles which are visible during rest. Botulinum toxins are contraindicated or not allowed for certain individuals such as:

• Individuals with keloidal scarring
• Patients suffering from neuromuscular disorders like myasthenia gravis
• Allergies to botulinum toxin products
• Issues with the body image, like body dysmorphic disorder.

Further, limited bruising can take place with this injectable Botox. Rare complications such as temporary blepharoptosis or eyebrow ptosis are rare technique dependent complications. As the skill of the injector improves, the incidence declines. Among the popular cosmetic surgical procedures in the United States is botulinum toxin injection. It is clearly one of the most common procedures for plastic surgeons to offer. Botox injections, especially in the upper 1-3rd of the face offers predictable results, has less adverse side effects and is linked to massive patient satisfaction.

How to Prepare for Botox Injections

Botulinum toxin serotype A is effective and safe for the reduction of frown lines and crow’s feet. In preparing for botox treatments, patients should not continue to use aspirin and any dietary supplement or medication linked with bruising for two weeks post the treatment.

Wrinkles result on account of repeated facial muscle contraction and dermal atrophy. Therefore, injecting small quantities of botulinum toxin into certain overactive muscles leads to reduced wrinkle. This is because the localized muscles underneath the skin are smoothed out. Botulinum toxin is a powerful and powerful neurotoxin project derived from Clostridium botulinum. It exerts effects right on the neuromuscular meeting point through the release of acetylcholine which leads to chemical denervation.

At the cell level, this toxin works by separating the docking protein on the neuronal membranes. It specifically impacts the synaptosomal protein equalling 25 kDa, also known as SNAP-25. This triggers the fusion of vesicles in the neurotransmitter and the acetylcholine release. As SNAP-25 regenerates, and neuromuscular signals and muscle contraction are stored, the effects in the targeted musculature injected with botox dissipate across time.

Botox Indications: How Can Botox Injections Be Used?

Botulinum toxin has been used for more than 2 decades to treat numerous conditions such as blepharospasm, migraines, strabismus, migraine headaches, cervical dystonia, hyperhidrosis, or even muscle spasticity.

Botulinum toxin was first approved in the year 2002 for treating wrinkles by the US FDA. This serves to treat glabellar complex muscle types that trigger frown lines through repeated contractions. In 2013, this was also approved to treat crow’s feet caused by lateral orbicularis oculi muscle types contracting.

Since then, Botox has been used off label or without any reservations for cosmetic facial treatments. It is the treatment of choice for wrinkles in the upper 1/3rd of the face namely crow’s feet, horizontal forehead lines, and frown marks. It is also used in the lower 2/3rd of the face, and this requires more deft and skillful cosmetic or plastic surgeons.

Understanding the Types of Wrinkles

The musculature which impacts facial expression is unique. One uses soft tissue attached to the skin for expressing oneself, by triggering superficial muscular aponeurotic systems, unlike muscles which have bone-like attachments. When facial muscles contract, the skin overlying it also moves. This then forms dynamic wrinkles perpendicular to the way the muscle contraction forms.

There are, thus, different types of wrinkles:

Dynamic wrinkles: These are triggered by facial muscles that move when one smiles, laughs or squints. These are formed around the lips, between the eyebrows, and on the forehead. This also includes crow’s feet formed at the eyelid corners. Dynamic wrinkles are a fact of life; but as you get older, these wrinkles get easier and deeper to see. Botulinum toxins are used to make dynamic wrinkles less noticeable.

Very Fine Lines and Wrinkles: These are formed when collagen in the skin starts thinning. The collagen is a protein just below and within the deep skin layers. Aging sun damage leads to collagen thinning. This makes the skin on the face sag and stretch, leading to fine wrinkles. These fine lines are not erased by botox. There are other ways to combat them, though.

Additionally, frown lines are glabellar wrinkles. These are lines which are vertically positioned between the medial meeting point of the eyebrows. This contributes to the formation of frown lines and is caused by specific glabellar complex depressor muscles. This is a class of muscles comprising the depressor supercilii, procerus plus the corrugator supercilii. Contracting these muscles pulls the brows not only medially, but inferiorly, too.

So, that sums up the different types of wrinkles.

Which Wrinkles Can be Treated Through Botox?

 

Patients with dynamic types of wrinkles demonstrate dramatic advantages from botulinum toxin injections; they are the ideal candidates for treatment. While Botox injections also cure static wrinkles, the results are less visible and slower. Some patients for static wrinkle botox treatment may even require 2-3 consecutive treatments to yield significant improvements.

Deeper static lines, however, do not respond to botulinum toxin injections alone. These may even require dermal fillers or cosmetic procedures for achieving optimal results. Setting realistic and desired goals at the time of consulting itself ensures treatment success. Patients are also satisfied with the treatment in such cases.

Ideal candidates for botox treatment include:

• Those with dynamic frown lines with glabellar complex muscle contraction
• Those with lack of static lines and the glabellar muscles at rest.

Contraindications: Who Should Not Take Botox Injections

The following individuals are not permitted to take botox injections:

#1 Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Those with body dysmorphic disorder are more likely to have distorted body image and, therefore, are not ideal candidates for botox treatment.

#2 Weakened Immunity

This includes patients with lower immunity, who may experience weakness or infection in the treatment area.

#3 Keloidal Scarring

This is another case where botox treatments are not effective and are even contraindicated.

#4 Neuromuscular Disorders

Neuromuscular disorders include the following: Myasthenia Gravis, Lambert Eaton syndrome, ALS, and myopathies.

#5 Pregnant or Nursing Mothers

As botox can be harmful to the child, pregnant or nursing mothers are not allowed to take botox injections.

#6 Sensitivities and Allergies

Those with sensitivity or allergy to botulinum toxin products should also steer clear of botox treatments.

#7 Unrealistic Expectations

Botox is not recommended for those with unrealistic expectations, as they will always insist on successive treatments fast and never be satisfied with the result.

Botulinum Toxin Products: Know More

The C. botulinum bacterium produces 8 different types of this toxic protein namely A, B, C(two types here namely Cα and Cβ), G, F and E. Key among these used for Botox injections are listed below:

Botulinum toxin serotype A: Used for cosmetic treatments. It is the most potent form of botox.
Botulinum toxin serotype B: used for medical conditions like dystonia.

The type A serotype constitutes three botulinum toxin products approved by the FDA to treat frown lines formed by glabellar complex muscles:

1. Botox/onabotulinumtoxinA
2. Dysport/ abobotulinumtoxinA
3. Xeomin/ incobolulinumtoxinA

All of these have a 150 kDa core protein and different proteins surrounding the basic neurotoxin. Further, Botox and Dysport have hemagglutinin complexing proteins. The third one, Xeomin, is free of complexing proteins. Lack of complexing type of proteins reduces antigenicity and formation of antibodies against botulinum toxin. The medical significance and value of these complexing proteins are still being studied.

Each of these botox products varies in terms of formulation, clinical response, and dosing.

Botox Consultations: How the Injection is Administered

First and foremost, facial areas that need treatment are identified by the patient and the physician using a mirror during consultations. Further, asymmetric facial features like uneven eyebrow height and eye aperture are identified. Further, treatment options are discussed and areas are prioritized. Anticipated results and possible complications are also discussed. Botulinum toxin is the treatment for dynamic wrinkles approved by the US FDA. Treatment of static wrinkles includes the following:

Resurfacing procedures: Chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and lasers.
Topical products: This includes retinoids and other solutions.
Surgical procedures: Face tucks and surgical options.

With any aesthetic procedure, photographic documentation is recommended. Static and dynamic photos of treatment areas are taken before treatment and two weeks once treatment is over and clinical effects are evident.

Preparing for the Injection

In preparing for botulinum toxin treatment or injectable procedures, bruising can be minimized by helping patients to discontinue aspirin and any medication or dietary supplements with anticoagulant effects 2 weeks prior to treatment. Anesthesia is not necessary for botox treatments.

How the Injection is Prepared

Botulinum toxin is supplied in powder form and reconstituted to the solution using sterile normal saline at the time of treatment. Dilution volumes range from 1-4 ml per 100 unit vial. The toxin dose injected into glabellar complex-type muscles for treating frown lines is based on particular botulinum toxin products used and target muscle mass.

The targeted glabellar complex muscles are identified by having individuals actively frown and injections are placed on contracted muscles. Small volumes of botulinum toxin solutions are used in the injection. This is typically 1 ml or less, using a standard one-inch, 30 gauge needle. There are 5 injection sites typically. One injection is placed on the procerus muscle and two in each of the corrugator supercilii muscles.

Botulinum toxin is used to treat other lines in the upper one-third of the face, such as horizontal lines on the forehead. The injection is placed in the frontalis muscle, in this case. Crow’s feet are treated with injection in the lateral orbicularis oculi muscles. Localized burning or further stinging sensations at the time of injection are reported and resolved in a couple of minutes.

How Does Botox Function?

Botulinum toxin is produced by a certain type of bacteria. In bigger amounts, this can be really poisonous. Small, weaker doses of botulinum toxin are used for the purpose of cutting down on facial wrinkles. When botulinum toxins are injected, it blocks nerve signals that lead to muscular contractions. The muscles relax, reducing undesirable wrinkles. This effect lasts about three to six months. After that, muscles move again and wrinkles return.

When the botulinum toxin is injected, the doctor must rub an anesthetic cream onto the area to numb it. After this, medicine is injected into specific facial muscles. This takes a few minutes and can be done at the doctor’s office. Continue your daily activities right thereafter. Post three days after the injection, some muscles start to relax. After one week, one is likely to see fewer facial lines and wrinkles. However, the effect is worn off after three to six months.

For most individuals, these injections help wrinkles to disappear. But for some individuals, wrinkles look just the same. Ask your doctor what to expect from botulinum toxin injections. One can study wrinkle reduction options if the injection does not function effectively.

One can be healthy and at least eighteen years old before one gets botulinum toxin injections. Some individuals should not get botulinum toxins. These include:

• Patients with a neuromuscular disease like MS or Myasthenia Gravis.
• Patients who are pregnant or nursing.
• Patients with weakness in certain facial musculature.
• Patients with ptosis, deep facial scarring, extremely thick facial skin or uneven facial features
• Those with skin problems near the injection area

If one is planning to get botulinum toxin injections, inform your doctor about the medical history and all the prescription medicines, herbal supplements and vitamins one takes. While botulinum toxin injections help, they cause side effects or health problems. Common side effects range across:

• Headaches
• Eye redness
• Tears
• Irritation in the eye
• Redness or bruising in the injection areas; this is more likely to take place if aspirin or blood thinners are used.

A less common, but more adverse side effect is drooping eyelids or ptosis. This makes it tough to see. Ptosis should disappear when the botox injection wears off in a couple of months. To reduce the chance of side effects, doctors need to recommend no exercise for a single day after treatment. If you’re thinking of using Botox injections, check with your ophthalmologist, as eye doctors are most familiar with eyes including muscles and structures that surround them.

Other Uses of Botox Injections

While removing wrinkles is the most popular use of botox, it is effective for curing a lot of conditions.

Migraine

One of these is migraine headaches. Botox is especially beneficial for sufferers because there are no side effects, as opposed to pain medications. Exactly how Botox injections treat migraine headaches, but medical experts think the drub blocks the sensory nerves projecting the pain messages to the brain, along with relaxing muscles, thus making them lessen in pain sensitivity. The side effects include temporary dropping of the skin around the injection site, avoided by changing the point of injection and slight bleeding, bruising or burning sensations, all of which are shortly resolved. Those who receive Botox injections and migraines report headache frequency drops by 50%, if not more. Headaches are less severe on account of this.

Arthritis Pain

Medical professionals are also thinking botox could prove to be a useful treatment for curing arthritis pain. Initial studies show a decrease in pain and improvement in functionality for individuals with various types of arthritis and benefits lasted from 3 to 12 months.

How Does Botox Work for Removing Wrinkles?

Who knew this lethal neurotoxin could have so many powerful benefits when safely administered? Botox offers a unique ability to relax muscles that treat many conditions. The cosmetic uses are just starting. Research continues to find new treatments. Many proven treatments are in line for US FDA approval. Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin are used for countering wrinkles.

They are a purified form of botulinum toxin A, where there’s no risk of botulism when properly used. They work through the nerve blocking that contracts muscles, softening the wrinkle appearance. Botox is most useful for wrinkles that have not set. These are dynamic wrinkles that appear while moving the face, such as when one frowns. If one does not move the muscle too much, wrinkles will not form. Botox is considered a potent preventative, too.

If one is pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to conceive a child, the US FDA recommends that one talks to the doctor before commencing on botox injections. However, side effects like ptosis are noticed in fewer than 1% of the cases, drooping eyelids or eyebrows returning to the natural position within a couple of months.

If you do try for botox injections, here are the things you need to watch out for:

Don’t take aspirin or ibuprofen medications that thin the blood and increase bleeding that leads to bruising. Skipping the pill two weeks in advance of treatment also involves telling doctors about supplements being taken. Some like fish oil pills, vitamin E or gingko also are potent blood thinners. Supplements may not be used two weeks before treatment.

Check with the doctor regarding a natural, expressive appearance, and ensure that the doctor can adjust the dosage accordingly.

Don’t party on as spas and parties are amazing, but not for injections. The wrinkle treatment should also be done by board-certified doctors specializing in dermatology or plastic surgery. Botox cosmetic is the first and only US FDA approved prescription product that temporarily enhances the appearance of both severe to moderate frown lines between the brows and moderate to severe crow’s feet in adults.

Unlike the facelift or other types of invasive facial procedures for rejuvenation, treatment takes minutes and requires very little downtime. Using a fine needle, Botox is injected into facial muscles that remove unsightly fine lines and wrinkles while relaxing the muscles. Ingredients in botox block the signal from the nerve to muscles and reduce the ability to contract and form ungainly wrinkles.

The benefits of Botox include that it is an FDA approved treatment and takes minutes. It smooths wrinkles in the forehead, between the eyes and the crow’s feet. Additionally, there’s no downtime or recovery. Botox is the leading selling product of its kind in the world.

While there is no risk of contracting botulism from Botox injections, do remember that this is not a cosmetic, but a drug. Along with droopiness and puffiness, there’s also a chance of allergic reactions. That is why it is essential that you know what medications you are taking and the injection is performed by a trained doctor in a medical office. The doctor should know what other medicines are taken because botox can counteract this or vice versa. Pregnant women are advised against botox as it impacts the placenta.

The only problem with Botox is the face becomes frozen and less expressive. Besides looking younger, you end up looking less human. It does fade away after a couple of months, so you look like yourself soon. It was way back in 19778 that the neurotoxin Botulinum was used in the first clinical trials.

Botox has become a long distance from its start as a corrective treatment for crossed eyes. Earlier, just a few physicians knew that Botox cure could have multiple uses, not just muscle hyperactivity. In the late 90s, Botox gained fame as a wrinkle reducer. To this day, Botox is known for cosmetic applications. Researchers continue to find new uses for this treatment from migraine relief to the elimination of excessive sweating.

How Botox Relaxes the Wrinkles

Perhaps the most common usage is the elimination of wrinkles. Muscles above and below the eyebrows contract and tighten, leading to wrinkles. Cosmetics work beneath the surface of the skin and target underlying muscle activity that causes frown lines and crow’s feet over time. Normally, while squinting, frowning or making other facial expressions, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine is released by our nerves. Acetylcholine binds the receptors within the muscle to trigger contractions. Wrinkle relaxers like Dysport and Botox work by binding to the acetylcholine receptors and blocking signals from the nerve to the muscles. After the muscle has been injected, nerves send the signal to the muscle for contracting and acetylcholine is released but unable to bind to muscles, resulting in reduced muscle activity and temporarily preventing contraction of the muscles that lead to frown lines.

Once the muscle has been injected, the nerves still send the signal to the muscle for contracting and the acetylcholine has been released yet. However, it does not bind to the muscle, resulting in a reduction of muscular activities and preventing muscle contractions that lead to frown lines. The binding processes begin within 48 hours from the time of muscle injection. The results typically become obvious within 7 to 10 days. Results are often more noticeable in dynamic wrinkles that appear when a muscle contracts. It also softens the wrinkles present sans muscular contraction. If you’re serious about enhancing the appearance of anywhere between medium to severe frown lines, it is just the right treatment for this.

Injectables range across Kybella, Restylane, Dysport, and Voluma as well as Botox.

Is Botox Safe and Effective?

Botox is an FDA approved treatment for wrinkles. Injections are safe when performed by an injector with expertise. It is a successful and valuable therapeutic protein when dosage, treatment frequency and a variety of clinical conditions are considered. The best way to ensure the results received is to receive injections from experienced providers, like medical and nursing pros.

Results may be noticed within 24 and 48 hours with the maximum impact obvious in 30 days. Results may also vary. The effects for most individuals last from 3 to 6 months. Many factors influence the effect. As the product wears off, muscle action gradually returns. Previously treated lines and wrinkles began to reappear and require to be treated again. With repeated treatment, the wrinkles and lines appear less severe than before, as muscles being trained to start relaxing. Some of the many factors that influence the effects include:

• The age
• The skin condition and level of sun damage.
• The expressions and facial structures.
• The diet
• The past experience of wrinkle relaxers on the skin.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the most common and popular cosmetic patients have is wrinkles. Approval for wrinkle treatments in 2002 and more recently in 2013 for crow’s feet by the US FDA, nothing smooths out wrinkles faster. Botox works as a shield between the muscle and the brain. Even if the muscle is instructed to move by the brain, the muscle will remain still.

All of us deal with lines and wrinkles linked to aging. Botox cosmetic treatments are extremely effective for countering this, serving as nonsurgical solutions for aging. This botox injection is minimally invasive and can ward off wrinkles in the neck, forehead and around the mouth. It also lifts the brow, making the face look less fatigued and more youthful. Amid its unflagging popularity, there seems to be a lot of misconception centered around botox, the most common being it is a toxin and, therefore, dangerous for your skin.

Botox works by disabling the facial muscles that lead to wrinkles by directly blocking the nerves that tell the muscles to contract. Dynamic wrinkles can be effectively countered through this. This is especially so because the mouth and cheeks and the corner of the eyes impacted can easily be treated through botox injections. Not all wrinkles are equal. While Botox cannot erase permanent creases, it softens them.

While Botox is not reversible once injected, it does wear off. Effects begin within 2 days of injection and become noticeable within 5 to 10 days. Effects only last between 3 and 5 months. Studies have shown those with botox injectables are generally satisfied with results.

Aftercare Following Botox Treatment

Patients are advised to prevent lying supine following treatment for 4 hours. They must also avoid massages or heat applications to the treatment area, and avoid activities that cause flushing such as heavy exercise, alcohol consumption and use of hot tubs on the treatment day. Aftercare practices can lower the spread of the toxins and not supported by randomized controlled trials.

Results and Follow-Up

A partial reduction in the functioning of the targeted glabellar complex muscles is seen by the third day after the botox injection. The maximal reduction is seen 2 weeks after injection. It shows the reduction of dynamic frown lines within one month after treatment of the muscles with 20 units of onabotulintoxinA. The muscle functions returned gradually typically 3-4 months post-treatment. Subsequent treatment is advisable when muscle contraction is visible in treatment areas prior to facial lines returning to pretreatment appearance.

Following multiple and varied treatments, botulinum toxin effects can be extensive, and for some individuals, treatment intervals may extend beyond 3 to 4 months. Complications with cosmetic botulinum injections are uncommon; results that occur are mild and temporary.

Complications associated with botox are listed below:

• Vasovagal or anxiety episode
• Ecchymosis
• Edema, Erythema, tenderness
• Headache
• Pain
• Infection
• Dysesthesia or paresthesia

Undesirable side effects include:

• Allergic reactions
• Antibodies against botulinum toxins
• Blepharoptosis
• Distant spread from injection sites
• Ptosis of the eyebrows
• Facial asymmetry
• Medication interactions
• Undesired eyebrow shape or result.

Possible Bodily Reactions

Botox injections are carried out using small-gauge needles to minimize discomfort as well as bruising. Mild edema, erythema, and tenderness at injection sites are possible and generally normalize within a day. Bruising is also common and ranges across marks made by insertion of pin-point needles to ecchymoses that are the size of quarters. This type of problem can take a couple of weeks to resolve. Application of pressure and ice to the bruise minimizes enlargement.

Headaches can also be a reaction to botox facial injections; most of these are mild and resolve spontaneously a few days post the treatment. There are reports of severe headaches lasting 2-4 weeks. NSAIDs or opioids may be used to manage headaches on the basis of severity.

While the infection is rare, it can take place when the procedure breaches the barrier of the skin. Paresthesia or dysesthesia in treatment areas is rare and can be the result of nerve trauma. Anxiety with injection procedures is also common. Vasovagal episodes with exceptional anxiety can occur and it is important to have medicines and protocols for emergency procedures in place while performing injection procedures.

Undesired Complications

• The complications linked to botulinum toxins take place less than injection reactions. However, when these do take place, they are caused by temporary denervation of adjacent muscles outside the intended treatment area. Such complications are dependent on techniques; the incidence lessens as injector skills improve. Temporary blepharoptosis or under eyelid droop is not common, but when it does occur, it is extremely distressing for patients and almost always unilateral. It is seen as a 2- 3 mm lowering of the impacted eyelid that is most marked with muscle fatigue towards the close of the day.
• Blepharoptosis is caused by the botox toxin migrating to the upper eyelid levator muscle instead. Placing Botox injections at least 1 cm above the supraorbital range at mid-pupillary lines with corrugator muscles can prove highly effective. Blepharoptosis can also be treated using ophthalmic solutions with alpha-adrenergic effects. This includes OTCs like naphazoline 0.025 percent, pheniramine 0.3 percent or prescribed Iopidine. These medicines cause contraction of Muller’s muscles, an upper eyelid adrenergic levator resulting in elevation of upper eyelids.
• Further, apraclonidine is reserved for cases of refraction and it is carefully used because it could even trigger glaucoma. Undesired eyebrow shape and eyebrow ptosis are linked to botox toxin effects in the frontalis muscle. These complications can be corrected with botox toxin injections in muscles, but complications caused by adjacent muscles are spontaneously resolved as the toxin’s impact lessens. Facial asymmetry can also result from uneven botulinum toxin. Consistent techniques and careful attention reduce the chance of asymmetries.
• Other types of complications include the formation of antibodies which can happen in less than 1% of individuals. Medications inhibiting the neuromuscular signaling can also impact botox effectiveness, Further AbobotulintoxinA is contraindicated in patients with cow milk protein allergy, as bovine protein is a constituent. While rare, immediate allergic reactions and hypersensitivity may occur with possible hives, edema, and anaphylaxis. Using standard emergency protocols and medicines like epinephrine and methylprednisolone is advisable, as it can Benadryl can have anticholinergic effects.
• Sometimes, distant body parts get impacted, when large botox injections are delivered. Side effects can range across generalized muscle weakness, dysphagia, ptosis, dysarthria, respiratory problems, death from respiratory compromise and urinary incontinence. Further, the distant spread has not been reported with cosmetic use of botulinum toxin for frown lines and other facial indications. There are reports of botulism with injected botulinum toxin; these involve research grade botox. Fees for injections for botox range across USD 250 to 550 per treatment area.

Conclusion

An attractive face is an asset. But it is always important to remember that beauty is skin deep and lies in the eyes of the beholder. If you are looking to fend off old age or ward off ungainly wrinkles, a Botox injection can be your ally but make sure you don’t neglect the safety factor. A botched botox job can be worst than living with the wrinkles. So, take care when it comes to selecting a medical healthcare professional whether a dermatologist or a cosmetic surgeon. A true professional will make a positive impact when it comes to stave off botox injection-related pain. Also critical for a smooth, polished and finished look is the use of a skilled professional. So make the right choice and get botox beautiful, but don’t neglect the power of your inner radiance either.