Botox and Wrinkle Fillers
What is Botox?
Botox is a prescription drug made from the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, Botox temporarily paralyzes muscle activity. When injected into the skin, it acts as a barrier to nerve signals traveling to the muscles, preventing them from contracting. This relaxes and softens facial wrinkles and creases. Botox is most often used to treat forehead and frown lines and crow’s feet.
As with injectable fillers, Botox offers temporary results. Maintenance injections are required every three to twelve months depending on your individual results.
What Areas Can Be Treated Using Botox Injections?
Botox is most commonly used to treat:
- facial lines and wrinkles
- glabellar lines
- the ‘cobblestone’ skin of the chin
- crow’s feet
- lines at the corner of your mouth
Cosmetic purposes aren’t the only reasons to use Botox. Botox is also used for several medical conditions. As per the FDA, Botox can be used to treat:
- Eyelid spasms
- Cervical dystonia
- Limiting symptoms from an overactive bladder
- Strabismus (above 12 years old)
- Muscle contractures
- Upper limb spasticity (above 2 years old)
Botox can be taken by anyone over the age of 18 who is frustrated about the lines and wrinkles appearing on their faces. However, It isn’t suitable for pregnant and lactating women.
Preparing For Your Botox Treatment
Before the treatment, you will have to give your medical history to the doctor, along with mentioning any allergies you have. You will need to stop taking certain medications like aspirin and herbal supplements and stop smoking and alcohol consumption.
Your face should be free of make-up and creams before you get injected with Botox. The Botox solution is injected into muscles beneath wrinkled areas, with the number of injections varying based on area size. Sessions usually end in about 15-30 minutes and are painless, although you may feel some discomfort.
What to Expect After the Treatment
You can resume regular activities on the same or next day after treatment but should avoid strenuous activity. You also shouldn’t rub the area treated as it can cause the solution to spread to other areas. You may experience some swelling and redness in the treatment area, but it should disappear in 72 hours, at which point, you will be able to see the results of the treatment, which should last for 3-4 months.
Risks and Rewards
All procedures carry a small amount of risk, but serious adverse reactions from Botox are rare. You might experience infection, swelling, bruising, redness, tenderness, pain, numbness, rash, itching, skin nodules, abscesses, open sores, blurred vision, flu-like symptoms, or allergic reactions. These side effects are almost always temporary and usually clear up within a week. For the majority of people seeking a more youthful appearance without going under the knife, this is an acceptable risk for a solution that offers immediate results that can last as long as a year. If you don’t believe us, just ask them.
Contact Our Office
The Gardner Facial Plastic Surgery team is dedicated to helping you look and feel your best in your own skin. If you’re interested in learning more about Botox, don’t hesitate to contact our office to schedule your informative consultation today.
