About Botox
What Is Botox?
Botox is simply a company’s name for a product that is a purified protein made from clostridium botulinum bacterium, also known as a type A botulinum toxin (BTX-A).
A Botox treatment is a simple, non-surgical procedure that smoothes the deep, persistent lines between your brows, around the eye and frown lines that develop over time. One 10-minute treatment – a few tiny injections – relaxes the muscles that cause those lines to form and keeps them relaxed up to six months. The results are dramatic and apparent within days. Unlike surgery, Botox is fast, simple, and minimally invasive, with no downtime or recovery. Within days, Botox makes you looking more natural and relaxed and is safe and proven way to take years off your face.
Botox blocks signals from the nerves to the muscles. The injected muscles can no longer contract, which causes the wrinkles to relax and soften. It usually takes two to four days to see cosmetic improvement and the effects tend to last from four to six months.
Botox is also very effective to relieve migraine headaches, muscle spasms and extreme sweating.
Botox is the world’s No.1 brand in cosmetic clinics, with over 11 million procedures since 2002.
Is Botox FDA Approved?
- In 1989, the FDA approved the use of botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of crossed eyes and uncontrollable eye blinking.
- In 2002, Botox was FDA approved for the treatment of vertical frown lines between the eye brows.
- In 2004, Botox was approved in the United States for the treatment of excessive underarm sweating.
- In October 2010, Botox was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) in the United States for the treatment of migraines.
Where Can BOTOX Be Used in Treating Cosmetic Conditions?
FACE:
- Frown lines
- Crow’s feet
- Forehead creases
- Brow shaping (Botox injections can be used to alter the shape of the eyebrows to create a more aesthetically pleasing appearance)
- Brow elevation (lift) Neck Rejuvenation: Chest Rejuvenation: Excessive Sweating Migraine Headache
- Correction of eyebrow asymmetry (to elevate the lower eyebrow to the same level as the higher eyebrow)
- Elevation of the corners of the mouth
- Upper/lower lip creases
- Marionette lines, “drool grooves”
- Lip lengthening to correct gummy smile
- Chin softening (peach pit chin and excessive cleft)
- To improve the appearance of new and old facial scars.
NECK AND DECOLLETE:
- Horizontal “necklace” creases
- Vertical neckbands (turkey neck)
- Women may exhibit wrinkling of the central mid chest (decollete) Botox injections can successfully reduce those wrinkles.
In more recent years, Botox has been approved to treat excessive sweating. Excessive sweating is a condition where your body perspires more than is required to keep the body temperature regulated. Botox is injected into the affected underarm area and will last approximately six months.
Botox reduces the perception of pain and relaxes muscles, making migraine sufferers less sensitive to migraine triggers.
Who Are Good Candidates for Botox?
Botox is an ideal procedure for people, men and women, usually between 18 and 70, who are looking to create a more youthful appearance without going under the knife. It is vital for patients to be in good emotional and physical health. In addition to reducing wrinkles and fine lines, Botox can also be used for a number of medical reasons. For example, excessive sweating, migraines, muscles spasms, certain types of chronic pain, and jaw tension can all be treated.
On the other hand, Botox may not be the right solution for people with skin infections, and those who are taking certain drugs, antibiotics and heart medication. In addition, severely drooping, sagging and sun-damaged skin is unlikely to benefit from Botox.
How Is a Botox Procedure Performed?
The procedure takes only a few minutes and no anesthesia is required. Botox is injected with a fine needle into specific muscles with only minor discomfort. It is best to avoid alcohol one week prior to treatment. Aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications should be stopped two weeks before treatment as well in order to reduce bruising.
How Long Does a Botox Injection Last?
You will begin to see changes in your wrinkles within 24 hours and continue to see improvement for the next 5 days. The effects from Botox will last four to six months. As muscle action gradually returns, the lines and wrinkles begin to re-appear and wrinkles need to be re-treated. The lines and wrinkles often appear less severe with time because the muscles are being trained to relax.
What Are Side Effects of Botox?
Temporary bruising is the most common side effect. Headaches, which resolve in 24-48 hours, can occur, but this is rare. A small percentage of patients may develop eyelid drooping. This usually resolves in three weeks. This development is usually caused by migration of the Botox and for this reason you shouldn’t rub the treated area for 12 hours after injection or lay down for three to four hours. There have been no allergies associated with Botox to date.