Botox

The facial expression which you make when you speak, frown, laugh, and smile can hasten the formation of wrinkles and fine lines. These features can make you look older than what you actually feel. Luckily, there is a safe, non-invasive treatment available to help you get that flawless, younger-looking skin you've always wanted. Botox is an injection filled with Botulinum toxin (BTX) and is injected into facial muscles to weaken or paralyze the muscles that form wrinkles. It is approved by the FDA and is a gentle, effective treatment to delay the signs of aging. You are a good candidate for this procedure if you-

•   Have realistic expectations
•   Wants to get rid of fine lines and wrinkles
•   Are in good physical health
•   Are looking for temporary results
•   Are looking for non-surgical procedure
•   Are between the ages of 18-65

You are not a good candidate for Botox if you-

•   Are pregnant
•   Consume alcohol excessively
•   Have infection at the sites
•   Have a history of neuromuscular disease

Procedure

Your doctor may use anesthesia 10 minutes before the procedure to reduce any discomfort or pain. The procedure is not painful as many patients have described the pain as that of an ant bite, which lasts for a few seconds. Anyone above 18 can undergo this procedure. It can be used in almost all regions of your face, including laugh lines, around the mouth, lower eyelids, crow’s feet, nose, brow ridge, frown lines and forehead wrinkles. The procedure usually involves two steps- cleaning the skin and injecting the Botox. When your doctor injects Botox into the facial muscles, it blocks the nerve activity in your muscles which temporarily reduces muscle activity and leads to the reduction of wrinkles. The session usually lasts around 15 minutes.

Benefits of Botox Treatment:

•   Once injected, results will be seen in 2-3 days: At soon as it is injected, it will block impulses from the nerve to your muscles, relaxing the muscle. Wrinkles continue to improve for up to a month.
•   Your skin will become much smoother: Another effect that is perceived instantly is the smoothness of your skin, especially in the forehead region. When muscle tone is relaxed (due to Botox), there is a loss of the folds of the skin on top of the muscle, which makes fine lines less noticeable.
•   It prevents future wrinkles from forming: According to some doctors injecting Botox into the skin before the formation of fine lines and wrinkles can help prevent them from appearing at all.
•   If you increase the frequency of the procedure, it will pay off: If you get Botox injections frequently, you'll require fewer injections as time goes by. Over time, your facial muscles will weaken and will not be as active as they used to be, so the amount of product required to smoothen the muscles would reduce too.
•   Natural look- No matter how many injections you take, you will still retain your natural look.
•   Lunch time treatment- The treatment usually lasts around 15 minutes, so visit your doctor during your lunch break.
•   No downtime - There is no downtime involved in this procedure and you can get back to your normal routine immediately.

Are there any adverse side effects of Botox?

Every drug has side effects and Botox is no exception. Some of the side effects of Botox are-

•   If Botox is injected into the wrong muscle group, it could lead to partial paralysis of that portion of the face! It can further result in facial paralysis, trouble swallowing and muscle weakness.
•   If too much Botox is injected into your forehead, it could make you look perpetually angry. If the injection is injected too low in the forehead, it could form droopy eyelids and you won't be able to show expressions.
•   There are side effects from using Botox for therapeutic uses too. There are more serious than the cosmetic uses. They can arise due to paralysis of a critical group of muscles and can include heart attack, seizures, respiratory problems and in some cases – death.
•   If you experience loss of bladder control, blurry vision, severe rashes on the skin, and variations in your heartbeat, then you should definitely consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Results

The results of Botox treatment vary from person to person, but usually, last three to four months, but they can certainly last longer with ongoing treatment. You will be able to see results in a couple of days after the treatment.

After treatment

You can get back to your normal activities immediately after the treatment. You can wear makeup immediately; however, your doctor may advise you to avoid heavy exercises for the next one day at least. Also, avoid taking NSAIDs or aspirin; it may delay the healing process.

Visit your dermatologist to discuss Botox treatment in detail. He will discuss your desired look and determine the best course of treatment. Make sure that you only choose a dermatologist skilled in Botox application as he will be able to precisely target the areas of your face to give you the best results.