What is botox?
Doctors have long used Botox to address wrinkles and folds in the face. Botox is a brand name of a toxin generated by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. There are alternative brands, such as Dysport, Xeomin and Nuceiva. Botox is the phrase you hear most commonly since it was the first injectable botulinum toxin.
It can also be used in the treatment of cervical dystonia (neck spasms), hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), overactive bladder, and lazy eye. Botox injections may also aid in the prevention of migraine headaches.
To temporarily stop a muscle from moving, Botox injections employ a toxin called onobotulinumtoxinA.
How does Botox work?
Botox prevents nerve impulses from reaching muscles. The injected muscle can’t contract. That helps wrinkles relax and soften.
Botox is most typically used for forehead lines, crow’s feet, and frown lines.
Botox is a neurotoxin. This drug acts on the neurological system, affecting the nerve signaling pathways that trigger muscular contraction. This is how the medication produces transient muscular weakness.
The nerves create acetylcholine, a chemical messenger, at the junction where nerve terminals meet muscle cells, for any muscle to contract.
Botox injections prevent muscle cells from contracting by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine. In this manner, the toxin aids the muscles to become less rigid.
What regions does it treat for aesthetic purposes?
The area between the eyebrows (glabellar region), to cure moderate to severe frown lines
around the eyes, is widely known as crow’s feet lines.
How does Botox Works?
Botox stops the nerve impulses that cause muscles to contract, erasing the lines and wrinkles created by repeated facial motions. If you have face wrinkles produced by tissue weakening or sinking, such as those that run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth, a.k.a. nasolabial fold, this treatment will be less effective. That said, certain face regions react better to Botox than others.
- Forehead Wrinkles
- Crow’s Feet
- A scowl on the face a.k.a. frown lines
- Bunny Lines
- Smoker’s Lines
- Marionette Lines and Mouth Corners
- Neck Bands or Cords
- Sagging Eyebrows
- Frown lines
- Lifting the nose tip
- Jaw slimming
- Lip elevation (called lip flip)
- Upper lip lines
- Dimpled chin
- Necklace lines
Does it hurt?
No, an extremely tiny needle is used to deliver it.
With topical anesthesia, a Botox® treatment may be almost painless. Even if you don’t use a numbing medication, you’ll likely just experience a little pinch of discomfort. Injections are relatively rapid and with a competent nurse practitioner, you may not even realize when they happen.
What to do following the appointment?
Botox aftercare also involves some precautions. On the day of your treatment, here’s what you should keep in mind.
- Don’t consume alcohol
You’ll be advised to abstain from alcoholic beverages for 24 hours before obtaining Botox. Alcohol raises the chance of bruising.
This stays true after the operation, too. Wait at least 24 hours following your injection before ingesting alcohol.
- Don’t touch your face
To prevent spreading the effects, don’t touch your face for at least 1 day. Some physicians advocate waiting 3 days.
If you have Botox in another region of your body, you should likewise avoid touching those places.
Professional massages of the treated regions are included in this package. It’s preferable to arrange your next massage for many days later.
- Avoid additional skin treatments
Botox takes time to penetrate the muscle. For the first 24 hours, avoid additional skin treatments like:
- Facials
- Facial massages
- Exfoliating scrubs
- Dermal fillers
- Don’t sleep on the treated regions.
Avoid resting directly on the injected sites as much as possible. This will lessen the physical pressure and allow the Botox to settle into your muscles.
Also, avoid sleeping within 4 hours following your treatment.
- Stay out of the sun
Avoid sun exposure for at least 4 hours. The heat may cause flushing and elevate your blood pressure, which may favor bruising. To be extra cautious, avoid the sun for 24 to 48 hours.
It’s also preferable to avoid other types of heat exposure, such as:
- Tanning bed
- Hot showers or baths
- Saunas
How frequently should a patient get treatment?
Typically, the effects of Botox continue for up to three to four months. Therefore, the suggested therapy is once every three to four months. The time between treatments may be prolonged beyond three or four months if your facial muscles begin to teach themselves to contract less.
Does it have any negative consequences?
Minor bruising or soreness may occur but should improve within a few days. Other side effects may include:
- Drooping or swelling of the upper eyelids
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Backache
- Double vision
- Dry eyes
- Allergic responses, such as redness, itching, or asthma symptoms
Contact your nurse practitioner immediately if any of these adverse effects occur.
Who should not have botox?
There are various contraindications for patients for the usage of either Botox or Dysport. Distant spread may lead to muscular weakness, impaired vision, ptosis of eyelids or eyebrow, and transient headaches. In general, breathing and swallowing issues may not be suitable for people who are having it.
When I quit havibg botox would my face appear worse?
No, it will revert to how it looked like previously.
If you stop receiving Botox treatments, in time, your face will likely revert to how it appeared before. The time between treatments may be prolonged beyond three or four months if your facial muscles begin to teach themselves to contract less.
