At the turn of the century, the world of cosmetic and plastic surgery was revolutionized with the introduction of Botox ® Cosmetic, but people were alarmed when they realized what Botox really was. After all, the thought of injecting botulinum toxin into your face is kind of frightening. Well, thanks to modern medicine, proteins of botulinum toxin type A, diluted in saline, have been approved for the use of wrinkle reduction, and it bears the approval of the FDA.
Botox is unlike any cosmetic surgery or plastic surgery procedure on the market. As the number one non-surgical procedure performed in the United States; it has the best results for the money, and no down time. There is no pricey operating room or anesthesia charges attached. Botox is done with simple injections. Small areas of bruising and swelling can occur at the injection sites, but nothing worthy of stopping your daily routine. Don’t be alarmed when a youthful glow does not directly follow your procedure. The wrinkle-reducing effects of Botox may not be visible for a couple of days to a week following the injections.
So exactly where can Botox be injected? This non-surgical facial procedure is commonly injected into the glabellar region (area between the eyebrows) where frown lines develop. It can also be used to reduce crow’s feet, horizontal lines on the forehead, wrinkles of the upper lip, and the nasolabial fold. Some people even turn to Botox for migraines or to help with the problem of excessive sweating (“hyperhidrosis”).
Botox works by blocking acetylcholine in the muscle synapse. This, in turn, keeps the muscles from contracting and gives the skin a softer, wrinkle reduced appearance. The effects of Botox however are not permanent – this is good and bad. The good side is, if you don’t like the results, or something goes wrong with your injections, you should return to your baseline in a few months. The down side is, if you like the results, you will need to have injections every 4 to 9 months to maintain your new appearance.
The one issue I would caution you against when considering Botox, however, is choosing the right doctor. You should ask yourself: Who will be performing the injections? Botox is a simple procedure when performed by the right person. This facial injectable should only be performed by physicians or mid-level practitioners such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners trained specifically in dealing with Botox. Be sure that your injections will not be performed by your physician’s nurse or medical assistant.
What are your thoughts on Botox?
