All About Botox Treatments

These days, if you'd like to give your face a boost, you don't need to resort to surgical facelifts. Surgery used to be the only option a woman had if she wanted a more youthful appearance. This type of surgery did help, but it often left behind nerve damage. The result of this surgery tended to distort the face a bit, especially around the eyes, leaving it obvious a facelift had been performed.

Today many opt for Botox injections rather than risk surgery. Botox is faster and less expensive. With Botox, the pain, expense, and healing periods associated with surgery are gone or greatly reduced.

Please note this article is only a guide. Your doctor is best qualified to offer you any advice or information about Botox treatments.

What is Botox?

Botox is a toxin that comes from Clostridium botulinum, which is a bacterium. This bacterium is the very same substance that causes the food illness botulism. It sounds scary, but in reality the toxin is purified before use, and is used in very tiny and safe amounts. Just enough is used to help smooth out your face without any danger to you.

What Does It Do?

Muscles under your skin move together to control all facial movement. When these muscles tighten under the skin, wrinkles are formed. When you receive an injection, the Botox works on the nerves and muscles at the injection point. In essence, the Botox causes these muscles to become paralyzed. Because these muscles cannot move to form winkles, your skin stays smooth.

Where Can It Be Used?

Botox is used most extensively around the eyes. It helps to erase forehead lines, crow's feet and other furrows that may appear near and around the eyes. It can be used around the mouth in limited instances, because you don't want the muscles around your lips to be constrained. It has more recently been used to help with neck lifts.

What To Expect

Botox can be administered rather quickly. Most office visits for injections take less than a half an hour. Your doctor will seat you and the work area may be numbed for you. He or she will then proceed to mark the exact areas for the injections and administer them. The procedure is slightly painful but the sensations clear up rather quickly in most people. You can return to your day as soon as you step out of the office, no lengthy recuperation needed.

How often you need to get repeat injections will depend on the location and severity of your wrinkles. Repeated treatments may cause the muscles to permanently lie in a state of inactivity, lessening the treatments, or possibly eliminating them altogether.

Side Effects and Risks

Occasionally you will experience slight bruising. This should clear up very quickly. Other times, if too much Botox is injected, you may find other muscles will not work properly. This is very rare, and if it happens, usually not serious. Discuss these risks in depth with your doctor.

About Your Doctor

Ask for recommendations when choosing a doctor to perform Botox. Your best bet might be to ask your family doctor for a recommendation. You should note the cleanliness of the facility and don't be afraid to ask as many questions as come to mind. Disclose all medical conditions and medications you are taking to your doctor before you have the procedure.

Wrap Up

Medicine has come a long way in the quest for eternal youth. You don't have to suffer through a facelift anymore to look and feel years younger. If your deep lines and wrinkles bother you, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about your alternatives.