What are Botox Injections and Are They For You?
Everybody wants to look beautiful and forever young but as we
grow older, loss of the skin's softness is expected resulting in
wrinkles and signs of aging. One way to slow down this visible
aging process is through cosmetic therapies and injections.
Currently there are a lot of products in the market that promise
you a younger and attractive appearance.
Every day we watch a lot of advertisements of cosmetic
treatments, which give assurance of their products. Mostly what
we expect from these products is that they will remove our
wrinkles and folds that look unattractive. Among these products
most popular are collagen, Restylane and Botox injections. These
injections have their own applications and characteristics.
Let's focus our attention on Botox in this article.
The botulinum toxin has been known for centuries but it has been
appreciated recently with the discovery of Botox. Botox was
introduced thirty years ago. Earlier it was injected into the
muscles surrounding the eyes of those patients who were
suffering from crossed eyes.
Botox (Botulinum a toxin) injection is a method to recover your
smooth and soft look. Botox injection is a FDA (Food and Drug
Association) approved treatment. It is a purified protein, which
is derived from bacterium clostridium botullinum, a toxin that
can also cause food poisoning. Botox is a simple and speedy
treatment. According to ASAPS (American Society for Aesthetic
Plastic Surgery) Botox is the fastest growing treatment for
wrinkles.
Wrinkles originate with the over usage of facial muscles. Botox
is injected into targeted muscle with a fine needle. Botox
simply inactivates the muscles that produce wrinkles. Botox
blocks the release of acetylcholine chemical, which transmits
nerve signals to contract the muscle. So, it is a mechanism of
muscle inactivation. This process weakens the muscles that
produce frown lines. With Botox these lines are smoothed out and
become almost invisible within a week.
Botox mainly targets crows feet, frown lines, laugh lines and
forehead lines. It is injected in small doses. It is a fast
therapy. Botox has been used for years in treating a variety of
patients. Botox injection can also be used for migraine
headaches. It also can decrease sweating on palms, under arms
and at the hairline.
It is advised to the Botox-injected patients that they adhere to
a few guidelines and implications before and after the treatment
if they want optimal results. After the injection, ice can be
applied to the targeted area that will reduce any swelling and
discomfort. Injection procedure takes only about ten minutes and
after that patients can return to their routine life without
delay. Do not massage the treated area as this may cause
bruising. Botox cannot be used during pregnancy, breastfeeding
or on neurology patients.
If too much toxin is injected or if it is injected at a wrong
place in the body, a droopy eyelid muscle may result that lasts
for a week or more. Botox effects last for 3-6 months and it
causes minimal pain. Definitely this product is good for those
people who want to change their look and want a wrinkle free,
smooth and clear appearance with out full blown surgery.