When we think of rejuvenating our skin and reducing signs of aging, Botox injections are among the first things that spring to mind – and for good reason! Botox injections can be an excellent tool on our journey towards our aesthetic goals. The results are long-lasting, risks are minimal, and there’s no downtime.
With over 4 million procedures performed in 2020 alone, Botox injections are without a doubt the most popular non-invasive aesthetic intervention these days. If you’re considering this popular treatment, here’s everything you need to know about Botox injections – from purpose and procedure to risks and results.
What is Botox?
Botox, short for Botulinum toxin, is a protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This is a neurotoxin that weakens or paralyzes the muscles. Although poisonous, Botulinum toxin is safe when used in tiny quantities and injected correctly. The botox injections we use today contain incredibly tiny amounts of this toxin which reduces the risk of side effects.
Contrary to popular belief, Botox isn’t the name of the treatment or the drug. It’s actually a brand name, with other commonly used brands being Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau, and Myobloc. The reason Botox is the most popular term is because it was the first botulinum toxin that was commercially available.
How is Botox used?
When most people think of Botox, they think of a treatment for wrinkles. While this is the most common reason for using Botox injections, they have many other applications. When used in a therapeutic context, Botox injections can address both cosmetic and medical issues. These include:
· horizontal creases and forehead wrinkles (glabellar lines)
· wrinkles in the area around eyes (crow’s feet lines)
· and eyebrows (frown lines)
· laugh lines at the corners of the mouth (marionette lines)
· cobblestone or “orange peel” chin
· hyperhidrosis (a disorder that causes abnormally excessive sweating)
· overactive bladder symptoms
· Cervical dystonia or spasmodic torticollis (a painful condition affecting head and neck)
· blepharospasms or eyelid spasms
· lazy eye
· eye twitching
· chronic migraines
· lower and upper limb spasticity
What’s the Botox procedure like?
Botox treatments are safe, quick, and minimally invasive. The whole procedure takes about a few minutes and doesn’t involve general anesthesia or incisions. First, the Botulinum toxin powder is diluted in saline. After that, the provider administers it into the neuromuscular tissue, after which you wait for the injections to take effect. This may take up to 72 hours, with rare cases of effects of the treatment showing after five days.
It’s important that you make sure that your treatment provider is experienced in administering Botox treatments. Make sure that it’s a healthcare professional who’s completed the botox and fillers course and holds the necessary certifications and the appropriate license for administering Botox treatments. If administered incorrectly, Botox treatments can be dangerous and may result in side effects. Therefore, make sure to choose your doctor carefully, and feel free to ask about their experience and certifications.
Are there any risks associated with Botox injections?
Provided that Botox injections are administered properly, most patients can expect to experience some minor discomfort or bruising post treatment. These should improve within a couple of days, although bruising may be prevented by not taking any anti-inflammatory medications and aspirins two weeks prior to the cosmetic procedure.
Some patients may experience symptoms such as headache, neck pain, tiredness, double vision, dry eyes, eyelid swelling/drooping, and allergic reactions. Other unwanted symptoms include upset stomach, numbness, redness, nausea, flu-like symptoms, and temporary facial weakness. Although most people tolerate these injections, these side effects can occur. This depends on the patient’s response to the treatment as well as the reasons they’re getting it. It’s best that you consult with your doctor about the procedure. Cover everything from allergens and medical conditions (both pre-existing and current) to your medical history and the medications you’re using. If you’re breastfeeding, pregnant, or allergic to cow’s milk protein, getting Botox injections is not recommended.
How long do the results of Botox injections last?
The longevity of the results depends on the treatment and varies from patient to patient. You will be able to see noticeable results of the treatment within the first few days. However, you will need to wait between one and two weeks for the full results to appear.
Once the Botox injections take full effect, patients can expect the results to last for between three and twelve months. After that, the effects of the injections start to wear off, and the patients may need to schedule touch-up treatments. This will prevent the reappearance of the lines and wrinkles, thus helping patients maintain their beautiful results.
Wrapping up
Simple, effective, and safe, Botox injections have found their application in both the healthcare and cosmetic industry. With this treatment, the only thing you need to worry about is finding a professional to ensure the best results.
Now that you’re familiar with the procedure and what you can expect from it, you can have a peace of mind knowing that you’re making a well-informed decision.