Botox injections are a popular way to temporarily erase fine lines and wrinkles on the face. Unlike more invasive cosmetic surgery treatments such as a facelift, botox injections are quick, easy, relatively painless, and require no recovery time. The effects of botox do not last forever, but as long as you can afford to have botox injections every few months, you will be able to keep age at bay and stay looking youthful for as long as you like.
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What is botox and what are botox injections made from?
Botox is the popular name for a substance called botulinum toxin A, a type of neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum. Botulism is a very severe form of food poisoning whereby the toxins produced then attack the nervous system and cause paralysis, and in serious cases, this can prove fatal. But although the botulinum toxin A is a potentially fatal neurotoxin, it was first discovered in the late 1970s that the botulinum toxin had therapeutic applications and the toxin began to be used for the treatment of several disorders of the nervous system.
Botox is still used for a number of medicinal treatments, but it is perhaps more widely known for its application in anti-aging treatments for both men and women. When used for cosmetic purposes, botox injections are used to reduce deep frown lines between the eyes. The injection is not intended to paralyse the face as some people think, but merely to relax the muscles and stop the patient from frowning or subconsciously grimacing, thus creating further lines and deep wrinkles.
How are botox injections carried out?
The botulinum toxin comes as a crystalline substance and in order to inject it into the body, it must be added to a liquid, typically saline. The area of the face to be injected is cleaned and a local anaesthetic is applied to reduce the discomfort. Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, botox is injected.
What happens after the botox procedure?
You will have to sit in a semi-upright position for a few minutes to make sure you are feeling okay after the procedure. You will also be told not to lie down for between 2 and 4 hours to prevent the botox from drifting into a different part of the face. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for a few hours to reduce the risk of bruising. Certain medication, in particular, aspirin and ibuprofen, should also be avoided to reduce the risk of bruising.
How long does it take for the botox to take effect?
It will take between 3 and 10 days for you to see the effects of the botox injections. Very deep lines across the forehead will not disappear completely, but they will be reduced. Faint lines around the eyes and across the forehead should be almost invisible once the botox has taken effect. For deeper lines, it may be necessary to have more than one treatment.
How long will the botox last?
The effects of botox normally last very well for 3-4 months, but over time you will see the muscles returning to their normal function. However, results from botox will vary according to the skill of the practitioner. Having the procedure carried out by an inexperienced physician can lead to less than satisfactory results.
What are the risks of botox injections?
Although botox is considered to be very safe, there are a few minor risks involved with the procedure. Some people experience discomfort from the botox injections including headaches and flu-like symptoms. Another side effect sometimes seen after botox injections is a drooping eyelid or eyebrow, but when the botox is carried out by a reputable cosmetic surgeon, this is a very rare occurrence.
Are there any people who should not have botox injections?
Botox injections contain albumin, so if you are allergic to egg, you must not have botox injections. Botox should also be avoided if you are pregnant.
Botox has grown massively in popularity in the last ten years. It has found a large niche in cosmetic plastic surgery to help people look and feel younger. Things have certainly moved on fro the days of Botulinum toxin being a very nasty food poisoning bug.
The Botox used for cosmetic surgery is a very, very weak solution that usually just has local effects. It makes muscle relax by blocking your ability to move them. This means your overlying skin looks smooth and wrinkle free. Voila, 10 years younger.
You look younger after a Botox injection because your wrinkles and frown lines smooth out. The Botox works in the area it's been injected by putting in a chemical block between nerves and muscles. This stops you being able to move the muscles and frown. So the muscles relax and all being well you feel better.
Botox is injected typically into the forehead, your frown lines above your nose and also round the eyes. Your doctor may also use it on your lower face. Your skin is cleaned with an antiseptic wipe first and then you receive several injections all round the area to be treated.
The needle Botox in Edmonton used is very fine and although it may be a bit uncomfortable, the injections are not really painful. For a day after the injections you must avoid rubbing the area or massaging it, so the Botox can properly do its job.
After Botox injections you will typically see your frown lines disappear and your skin look smoother. Most patients will see a change after around a week with the full effects seen in 2 - 3 weeks. The effects usually last at least 3 months, often longer and gradually wear off.
Usually you have repeat injections as the benefits wear off and some people find that the effects last for a longer time after several injections.
There are some risks to having Botox injections. The effect on your muscles may not be as expected so results may not be as good as you hoped. Sometimes if the injection spreads it can cause drooping eyebrows or eyelids. This is temporary and does resolve as the injection wears off.
The best way to minimize risk is to be treated by a fully qualified cosmetic surgeon.