You’ve probably heard about Botox on the news or in celebrity magazines. Botox has become a shorthand way to describe cosmetic surgery gone wrong, as in, “She got too much Botox.” However, many people misunderstand what Botox actually is, what it does, and its true benefits. When used properly and administered by a licensed practitioner, Botox reduces wrinkles and results in a healthy, natural look.
What is Botox?
Botox is a type of protein that causes mild paralysis when injected or consumed. In small, safe quantities, it has many medical applications, including preventing muscle spasms, treating migraines and other forms of chronic pain, and calming hyperactive nerves. In its cosmetic application, Botox is injected into parts of the face to relax the skin and smooth wrinkles.
There are many factors that cause facial wrinkles, including sun exposure, smoking, and the natural loss of collagen during the aging process. Botox addresses one of the most important causes: repeated patterns of facial movement. When you frown or concentrate, wrinkles appear on your forehead and between your eyebrows. When you squint, wrinkles called crow’s feet appear on the sides of your eyes. Over many years, as you assume the same facial expressions, the same wrinkles become reinforced and eventually ingrained in your skin. By relaxing these facial muscles, Botox smooths the appearance of these wrinkles.
How does Botox treatment work?
Botox is directly injected into the muscles that cause wrinkles. For crow’s feet, your Botox specialist targets the orbicularis oculi, the muscles that surround the sides of your eyes. For frown lines, your specialist injects five muscle sites in your forehead. You may feel a pinching sensation during each injection, which can be treated with ice or topical numbing cream.
The injection process takes only ten minutes with no downtime. You can resume normal activities immediately. You will see results in 24-48 hours which last up to four months. After that time, the Botox wears off and your muscles begin to contract, so the injections will need to be repeated.
Some patients worry that they will lose flexibility in facial expressions after repeated Botox treatments. However, a licensed, trained practitioner with expertise in facial anatomy will avoid these symptoms. When getting Botox injections, seek only experts with appropriate credentials and avoid cheap or discount products.
See past the hype around Botox and learn how this safe, easy treatment can improve your appearance by smoothing frown lines and crow’s feet. Call Not Just Faces Medical Aesthetics to learn the real facts about Botox.
