People who undergo age-related changes in their skin seek medical help to reduce their effects and improve the quality of their lives. Botox is one of the several skin treatments that people take up to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on their skin.
Botox is a protein known as botulinum toxin. A certain type of bacteria, Clostridium botulinum, produces this toxin. Apart from reducing wrinkles, doctors use it in small amounts in the form of injections to treat patients with certain conditions.
Botox is a toxin that mainly targets the nervous system to create temporary muscle paralysis. It is not dangerous and would not cause severe reactions when taken in small quantities.
So, here, we have discussed how Botox works on your face to treat wrinkles and fine lines to give you a youthful appearance.
How Does Botox Work on Your Face?
Botox comes as injections that doctors use on the affected areas of your face. Before injecting the dose, doctors numb the area using an anesthetic cream.
Once the skin is numb, doctors target specific muscles of the facial area where you want to get the treatment. The injections stop muscle contractions by blocking nerve signals in these areas.
This blockage results in the relaxation of muscles that causes the wrinkles to recede. It takes about 30 minutes to complete the procedure. However, it takes a few days to notice a difference after getting the injections. You will see a reduction in wrinkles and fine lines, making your skin appear more youthful.
The treatment is a temporary solution to skin aging issues and can last for about 3 to 6 months, depending on the dosage. Once the effect wears off, your skin goes back to its prior state. It must be noted that the effect may not be similar for every individual.
However, after getting the treatment, patients should avoid doing heavy exercise or strenuous tasks. They should keep their heads at a high level and avoid bending. Your doctor might also ask you to avoid certain medications immediately after the procedure.
While some might see a significant reduction in wrinkles, others might not have the same results. Hence, choosing the right treatment is the best option to maximize the results. Consulting a certified doctor who specializes in cosmetics will help you understand what works best for you.
Common Areas Where You Get Botox Injections
For cosmetic purposes, people target particular areas where they have more fine lines and wrinkles.
Here are some of the common areas for getting Botox injections.
- Creases in the forehead in the form of horizontal lines
- Crow’s feet around your eyes (wrinkles in the surrounding area of your eyes)
- Bumpy and uneven skin texture on the chin, known as “Cobblestone chin.”
- Frown lines or elevens between the eyebrows
- Fine lines around the mouth area
- Horizontal lines on the neck, known as neck bands
- Lifting eyebrows for a youthful appearance
What Should You Expect from a Botox Procedure?
Botox is a pain-free procedure that lets you get a youthful look by reducing wrinkles on your skin.
So, here’s what you can expect before, during, and after the Botox injections.
Before Botox
Your doctor will use different methods to reduce any discomfort during Botox injections. It will cause the area to go numb, and you will not feel anything in that area.
During Botox
Your doctor will use a thin needle to inject the drug into your skin. Tiny amounts of Botox go into the skin or muscles of the affected area. However, depending on the area, your doctor will inject the drug several times in tiny amounts.
After Botox
Once your doctor finishes the procedure, they will suggest avoiding certain activities. You should not rub the injected areas for at least 24 hours after the procedure. Nevertheless, based on the reason for the treatment, your doctor will recommend additional care.
Who Can Get Botox?
As long as you are healthy and over the age of 18, you can get a Botox injection depending on the target inject area and your requirements.
However, you should remember that visiting a specialist is the priority before undergoing any skin lifting or anti-aging treatment. They will suggest the right procedure and treatment after a check-up.
A specialist will recommend diagnostics if required after analyzing your overall physical condition.
Some people with certain conditions should avoid going for Botox treatment as it could worsen the condition. So, we will discuss who should not take the injections in the next section.
Who Should Avoid Botox Injections?
If you have certain medical conditions, taking Botox injections can worsen them. So, to prevent complications, you should inform your doctor about your medical history and the medications that you regularly take when you visit them.
People with the following conditions should avoid getting Botox injections.
- Facial muscle weakness
- Uneven facial features, facial scars, drooping eyelids (Ptosis)
- Skin problems in the affected area
- Neuromuscular diseases like myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, etc.
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding a child
- Infection in the area of taking the injection
- Taking prescription medicines, herbal supplements, vitamins, etc.
- Allergies to the ingredients of the injection
Use Of Botox Other than in Cosmetics
Other than treating wrinkles, Botox has medical uses. The toxin is used to treat several medical conditions involving the neuromuscular system and other problems.
Doctors usually use Botox for the following list of health conditions.
- Hyperhidrosis (severe underarm sweating)
- Overactive bladder caused by neurological conditions
- Blepharospasm (eyelid spasm) caused by a condition known as dystonia
- Migraines that last more than 4 hours
- Strabismus (cross-eye) over the age of 12
- Upper limb spasticity over the age of 2
- Cervical dystonia that causes immense pain in the neck
Final Thoughts
Botox is an FDA-approved drug that treats several medical conditions and has uses in cosmetics. People choose the Botox procedure and take injections to achieve youthful skin. The injections significantly reduce wrinkles and give you smoother-looking skin.
