For a skin specialist, it’s easy to answer what exactly Botox does. It’s actually an injectable or semi-invasive skin treatment that makes you look younger, more beautiful, and more confident.
This article is for people from nonmedical domains who are its actual users. For them, this end-to-end guide to Botox treatment can answer every burning question that comes to their mind related to it.
Botox as an Anti-Wrinkle Injection
Botox comes in the form of an injectable, which addresses the appearance of facial wrinkles. The results are absolutely natural because you see a complete makeover of your skin over time. It looks younger, softer, and firmer.
Other Uses of Botox
In addition, these injections can also help people to overcome the problem of neck spasms (cervical dystonia) and hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating. The results are also good when it is used for treating an overactive bladder and lazy eyes. Chronic migraine patients can also have this treatment to get relief.
What Does Botox Consist Of?
Botox injection consists of onobotulinumtoxinA, which is produced by the microbe that causes botulism (food poisoning). Its effect stops signals from the brain to receptors like jaws or muscles. This is how the muscle stops making any movement.
So, Botox was the first drug that became popular for reducing fine lines, static wrinkles, or sags if you talk about skin treatments.
However, there are some more products that have variants of Botulinum toxin. These are abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport), rimabotulinumtoxinB (Myobloc) and incobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin). Despite being made of similar products, each differs from one another in terms of effect. The experienced doctors know the intensity of each variant. So, they use it accordingly.
Here, the noteworthy thing is that these all variants cannot be interchanged. So, it’s always good to consult with a certified and experienced specialist that is in your city, let’s say Botox specialist in Coolangatta, before having Botox for wrinkles or skin conditions.
As aforesaid, Botox is highly effective in blocking certain chemical signals from the brain. Mostly, these signals are for contracting or expanding muscles. Doctors use the fundamental logic behind it, which is to relax muscles. If it’s on rest, muscles won’t move, which prevents wrinkles.
The recurring movement of muscles utilizes the pocket of fat there. That layer shrinks and the lines start to appear. And over time, they turn more pronounced.
These injections temporarily relax our facial muscles in the forehead, around nasolabial folds, and eyes. As a result, you get relief in various conditions.
- Cervical dystonia
This is a severe experience of extreme pain. Your neck muscles involuntarily contract, which pushes your head to twist or turn in a painful position.
- Lazy eye
This condition appears if there is an imbalance in the eyes’ muscles that help in positioning them.
- Muscle contractures
This is related to neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy. It pushes your limbs to pull in toward your center. Botox can help you rid of this condition, but it happens in a few cases.
- Hyperhidrosis
This is mainly concerned with your sweating condition, or excessive sweating. When you see that the surrounding temperature is not high and you still feel sweaty.
- Chronic migraine
This is again a painful condition. If it persists for more than 15 days a month, Botox injections may reduce the frequency of that headache.
- Bladder dysfunction
This is mainly related to urinary incontinence. Botox injections can also help you overcome this problem.
- Eye twitching
When your eye often twitches over and over, Botox injections can provide satisfactory results.
Are There Any Risks?
If you get it performed by a certified doctor who has hands-on experience also, it would be a safe and satisfactory experience. But, some temporary side effects can be seen like these:
- Pain, swelling, or bruising where it is treated
- Headache or flu-like symptoms
- Droopy eyelid or cockeyed eyebrows
- Crooked smile
- Dryness of eyes or excessive tearing
There may be some cases wherein the toxin reaches other areas. You should call the doctor immediately to reverse its effect. A layman may identify these conditions that are their symptoms:
- Muscle weakness
- Vision problems
- Breathing problems
- Loss of bladder control
- Trouble in speaking & swallowing
It must be taken into account that Botox is not for expecting mothers or breastfeeding mothers. Also, the ones who have an allergy to (cow’s) bovine-a milk protein should avoid it.
Preparation for Procedure
During a consultation, your doctor will review your medical history and health condition, as if you had any suffering in the past four months. Also, you should openly talk about the medication that you are on. These can be muscle relaxants, blood-thinner, sleeping aids, or allergy-based medications.
Most doctors recommend avoiding blood thinners or heavy exercises many days before this procedure. It’s a preventive step to avoid bleeding or bruising after Botox treatment.
Your Expectations
- Before the procedure
This procedure is not painful because it does not involve any cuts. The skin specialist may apply numbing agent before going on with the injection. He or she may use topical anesthesia, ice, and vibration anesthesia. The last numbing method is for massaging the target area to reduce discomfort.
- During the procedure
Basically, it’s a lunchtime procedure. It means that the treatment can be executed in the doctor’s clinic. It mainly requires ultrafine needles to puncture the skin and inject botulinum toxin into it. Your doctor knows about the dose or number of injections, which completely depends on many factors, like treating the sensitive eye area.
- After the procedure
Once it’s over, rubbing and massaging should be avoided for 24 hours, at least. Ignoring it can spread toxins to other muscles, which can be dangerous. Therefore, don’t do that.
The pleasant thing is that you can get back to normal practices straight away once it’s done.
Final Result
Botox injections start showing their difference in one or three days. However, the full effect can be witnessed in three to four months when your wrinkles go off naturally. The doctor may ask to come for follow-up injections.
Summary
Botox actually gives new life to your tired muscles or skin. It acts as an anti-aging injection, which shows results in three to four months. This treatment does not involve any cuts. Instead, it’s like any ordinary experience of getting the injection. But, this injectable can treat excessive sweating, lazy eyes, chronic migraine, etc.
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