Understanding BOTOX® Treatment
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a fast and efficient way to treat wrinkles and lines caused by stress, worry, age, and environmental factors. Treatment by a BOTOX® injection can help make the frown lines between the eyes, at the base of the nose, and on the forehead smooth. BOTOX® Cosmetic is produced from botulinum toxin, and it also helps “crow’s feet” wrinkles at the corners of the eyes, giving you a vital and more youthful facial appearance.
What is BOTOX® Cosmetic?
BOTOX® Cosmetic refers to an injectable substance used to temporarily get rid of wrinkles and lines on the face by loosening the facial muscles. It is sourced from a neuromuscular toxin known as botulinum toxin type A, produced by a particular bacterium. In its pure state, this toxin can be deadly. BOTOX® is made from highly diluted quantities of this toxin. It has been examined to be safe and has been approved by the FDA for smoothing frown lines and treating eye-muscle disorders. This treatment is often used together with facial plastic surgery treatments such as eyelid lift or facelift to enhance its cosmetic benefits.
Treatment Requirements for BOTOX®
Since BOTOX® only involves a few injections during a short treatment session, many people seeking this form of treatment are good candidates. Although the FDA has approved BOTOX® for patients aged 18 to 65, it is still important to consult a qualified physician who offers the treatment.
Who are the Best Candidates for BOTOX®?
BOTOX® Cosmetic has been attested to be safe for a broad range of candidates. Although the protein that makes up BOTOX® Cosmetic has many medical uses, reducing wrinkles and lines is by far the most frequent application. Thus, anyone who wants to eliminate wrinkles using BOTOX®, whether they are wrinkles around the mouth or crow’s feet around the eyes, is a potential candidate for this form of treatment. Generally, you must be of good overall health; you need to understand how the procedure works and must have realistic expectations of the treatment. The best way to determine if you are a good candidate is to consult a BOTOX® specialist.
Candidates for Alternative BOTOX® Applications
Botulinum toxin has many other uses as well. This toxin was first isolated in 1946, and its various medical applications were discovered in the early 1950s. Now alternative uses for BOTOX® include treating:
• Migraine headaches
• Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
• Chronic pain
• Jaw tension
• Dystonia (muscle spasms)
Health and Medical Considerations for BOTOX® Cosmetic
Similar to any other medical procedure, you need to take several factors into account before seeking BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment. Even ideal candidates for this procedure can experience a degree of adverse effects. Most of these side effects are temporary and small and vanish within a few weeks. Although rare, some patients are allergic to botulinum toxin. Thus, the medical considerations you need to take and also speak to your caregiver about include allergies, bruising at the injection sites, and temporary muscular paralysis.
A BOTOX® specialist will carefully analyze your unique case before administering treatment. The treatment has been tested to be effective and safe for thousands of patients, and your doctor will demystify any concerns and answer every question you may have regarding BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment.
How is the BOTOX® Cosmetic Treatment Performed?
BOTOX® treatment sessions are short and straightforward, and the whole session often lasts about an hour. First, a topical numbing agent is applied to your skin, and you may receive sedatives as well. Then, the surgeon will strategically inject minimal amounts of BOTOX® in different parts of your face. This is done using tiny needles that cause a minimum amount of pain.
How often should You Undergo BOTOX® Treatment?
Quite often, the results of BOTOX® last for about three to four months. However, several factors may lengthen or shorten this period. These include:
• Your age—older individuals with less muscle tone have their results diminish sooner than people with younger and firmer facial muscles.
• Your diet.
• Whether you smoke or not.
• How much sun you receive and how much sun damage your skin has endured.
• Your facial structure and expressions.
• Whether you take appropriate care of your skin, use microdermabrasion, facials, or other skin resurfacing methods.
• Whether you use BOTOX® often or not. However, this seems different for each person. Some obtain longer-lasting results with repeated use, but others seem to develop a resistance to the treatment, thus requiring more frequent doses.
Many practitioners seem to disagree on which of the above factors is the most crucial, but it is good to ask your practitioner. However, usually, it is not recommended to receive treatment in the same injection sites more frequently than every three months.
Similar to any other medication, your body can produce antibodies for that particular medicine, and they can make the drug less effective, or they might even cause an allergic reaction to the drug. If the drug is injected more frequently or in higher quantities, you are at a higher risk of your body forming antibodies against the treatment.
What are the BOTOX® Cosmetic Treatment Side Effects?
BOTOX® has several potential side effects that include infection, pain at the injection site, bruising, bleeding, redness, swelling, and inflammation. Some of these signs may indicate an allergic reaction. Other symptoms of allergies include:
• Itching
• Asthma
• Wheezing
• Rashes
• Faintness
• Dizziness
• Red welts
If you experience any faint or dizzy feelings, or breathing issues, inform your doctor as soon as possible.
Some people have reported headache, neck pain, fatigue, and a dry mouth. Others have experienced droopy eyelids, numbness, muscle spasms, migration of the substance, and twitching.
It is also possible for the BOTOX® to spread slightly beyond the intended area of treatment, thus affecting the surrounding tissues. For instance, if you received injections on the forehead close to your upper eyelids or eyebrows, they may be affected and may temporarily droop.
BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment is effective in eliminating facial wrinkles and lines, and it has minimal risks and side effects. It is an effective form of treatment with no downtime, and you can go back to your regular daily activities as soon as the procedure is complete.
Dr. Garcia and Dr. Josh Surowitz of the Dilworth Facial Plastic Surgery are board-certified, fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeons offering BOTOX® Cosmetic, facelifts, rhinoplasty, and many other cosmetic surgery treatments in the greater Charlotte area.
