By now, Botox is basically a household name that most men
and women have heard many times over. Just hearing the brand’s name, however,
doesn’t mean that everyone has a real understanding of what Botox is or what it
can do to reduce the signs of aging. In fact, if you’ve been troubled by fine
lines and wrinkles creeping up on you, Botox could be the solution to your
problems.
What Is Botox?
Technically speaking, Botox Cosmetic is the trade name of Botulinum Toxin Type A, which is a purified toxin produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum. Botox is a type of injectable product known as a neurotoxin, which works to block nerve impulse transmissions wherever it is injected. In doing so, it prevents the muscles in that area from contracting and forming the creases or wrinkles you don’t want to have. Despite the scary classification as a toxin, Botox is FDA-approved to be used for treatments, provided it is administered in small doses.What Does Botox Treat?
Botox works best against lines and wrinkles that are caused
or exaggerated by the movement of facial muscles, known as dynamic wrinkles.
When injected, Botox essentially paralyzes the targeted muscles temporarily,
alleviating some of the creasing in that area. Medical professionals use Botox to
diminish the appearance of crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes, forehead
wrinkles, chin dimpling, upper and lower lip lines, and vertical neck bands.
Botox Cosmetic has also been FDA approved to treat Glabellar lines, which form
between the eyebrows and can make a person look angry, as well as more recently
for the treatment of crow’s feet. Glabellar lines are often caused by frowning,
which furrows the brow and creates deep creases. Botox can soften these lines
by relaxing the muscles in that area.
Am I a Good Candidate for Botox?
The ideal Botox candidate is a man or woman frustrated by
the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face. Botox works most
effectively against wrinkles that are dynamic, or that seem to form or deepen
when you move the muscles in your face. If you’ve noticed this happening, when
you frown or smile for example, then you may be a good candidate and experience
great results with Botox Cosmetic.
There is no magic age to qualify a patient for Botox
injections. Because heredity can cause lines, folds, and depressions, some
wrinkles are not associated with aging at all. Patients experiencing wrinkles and
creases for any reason can seek Botox treatments. However, women who are
breastfeeding, pregnant, or planning to become pregnant should not receive
Botox injections without first talking to their doctor.
What Is It Like to Have Botox Injections?
The facial injection procedure is fairly straightforward and
takes only about ten minutes to complete. There is no need to use sedation or
make incisions to perform this nonsurgical
procedure; at most, some topical anesthetic cream and ice are applied to
the area to minimize the slight discomfort that patients sometimes experience.
When the injection is performed, patients often describe the sensation as
feeling like a bug bite. Even so, the
treatment area will be iced before and after you receive your injection. Botox
is administered through tiny injections directly into the target area, so you
are only receiving the Botox formula where it is most needed.
What Happens After Botox?
Following the procedure, there is no need to abstain from
any regular activities or devote time to your recovery. At most, patients tend
to experience some bruising at the injection site. Side effects from Botox
injections are extremely rare and typically minor in nature. Patients often
receive their injections and then resume working or performing their other
daily tasks right away. Results will start to show almost instantly and can
last three to four months.
If you like the results you achieve with your first Botox
treatment, a regular regimen of injections can help you to maintain your new
look. Patients can receive Botox injections every three to four months, as the
last round is wearing off. If you have any negative reactions to Botox at all,
discontinue your injections and consult with your plastic surgeon
to discuss alternatives that can help you achieve similar results.
Are There Any Risks Associated with Botox?
There are risks associated with almost every cosmetic
procedure, some more serious than others. Botox holds both an excellent safety
record and one of the highest patient satisfaction ratings of any cosmetic
procedure. Botox Cosmetic can cause allergic reactions in some patients, so
before receiving your treatment, discuss your known allergies with your
physician to be sure you will be able to safely receive Botox injections.
Where Can I Get Botox Injections?
If you think Botox might be the right treatment to help you
achieve your anti-aging goals, start by consulting with an expert on facial
injections and other cosmetic treatments. Contact the Aesthetic Surgery Center
to book an appointment with Dr. Anurag Agarwal or
Dr. Richard Maloney, our double board certified facial plastic surgeons. Our
surgeons administer all injectable treatments themselves using their extensive
training and experience…they don’t use any other personnel to administer the
injections. They have been featured on
many of the major news networks, including ABC News, NBC News, and FOX News, as
recognized experts on a variety of facial plastic surgery topics. Dr. Agarwal and
Dr. Maloney believe that educating and communicating with their patients is the
key to helping you achieve the natural-looking results you want in a healthy
way. Book your appointment at the Aesthetic Surgery Center, located at 11181
Health Park Boulevard #1115 in Naples, Florida, by calling (239) 594-9100.
