The cosmetic form of botulinum toxin, sometimes referred to as “Botox” by patients, is a popular injectable that temporarily reduces or eliminates facial fine lines and wrinkles. Botulinum toxin is a purified substance that’s derived from bacteria. Injections of botulinum toxin block the nerve signals to the muscle in which it was injected. Without a signal, the muscle is not able to contract. The end result is diminished unwanted facial wrinkles or appearance.
You are a good candidate for “Botox” injection if:
- You have moderate to severe facial wrinkles.
- You have the wrinkles that are located in areas that Botox can treat, such as around or between the eyes, on the forehead, or around the neck.
- You don’t have history of neuromuscular diseases (such as multiple sclerosis or myasthenia gravis).
- You have realistic expectations for improvement.
- You have Severe underarm sweating (hyperhidrosis).
- ⦁ You have cervical dystonia, a neurological disorder that causes severe neck and shoulder muscle spasms.
- ⦁ You have blinking that you can’t control (blepharospasm).
Consultation
During your consultation you can expect that your plastic surgeon will :
- Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors.
- Discuss likely outcomes and any risks or potential complications.
- Evaluate your medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments.
- Explore your current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs.
Procedure
Injections of botulinum toxin may seem like a simple procedure to you, since it’s just a few shots. But it’s actually both an art and science that only an experienced healthcare professional should do.
There are 43 muscles in your face and it’s vital that the person who performs botulinum toxin injections understands and pinpoints the correct spots to optimize your treatment.
A very thin needle is used to inject small amounts of botulinum toxin into specific muscles. By carefully choosing specific muscles, your healthcare provider weakens only the wrinkle-producing muscles, preserving your natural facial expressions.
Botulinum toxin treatment injections usually take less than 15 minutes.
The number of injections you need will depend on your facial features and the extent of your wrinkles. Crow’s feet, for example, usually demand two to three injections. Furrows above your brow could take five or more.
Risks
Botox injections are relatively safe , however ,possible side effects and complications include:
- Pain, swelling or bruising at the injection site.
- Headache or flu-like symptoms.
- Droopy eyelid or cockeyed eyebrows.
- Nausea
- Redness
- Crooked smile or drooling.
- Eye dryness or excessive tearing.
You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks and potential complications.
Is it painful?
With topical aesthetic, a Botox procedure can be virtually painless.
Even without a numbing agent, pain is minimal, and you may only feel a little pinch. Injections are very quick and with a trained medical professional, you may not even notice when they happen.
Recovery
You will not see a change straight away. It takes about 2 or 3 days to start working, and 2 to 3 weeks to see the full effect.
Do not massage or rub your face for 3 days. Also, avoid vigorous exercise, sunbathing (including using sunbeds), and the sauna for 2 days. Our plastic surgeon will give you more advices about what you should and should not do. Avoid rubbing the injection site for 24 hours so you don’t spread the Botox to another area. Our plastic surgeon may also tell you to stay upright for 4 hours after the shots and to take a day off from exercising.
Results
The effects from Botox will last 3 to 6 months. As muscle action slowly returns, the lines and wrinkles begin to reappear and need to be treated again. The lines and wrinkles often appear less severe with time because the muscles are shrinking. underarm Botox injections can reduce underarm sweating by 82–87%. The effects can typically last 4–12 months, or up to 14 months in some cases.
People who receive underarm Botox injections tend to see results 2–4 days after treatment. The full effects are usually noticeable within 2 weeks.
However, Botox is not a permanent solution for excessive underarm sweating. A single treatment lasts around 4–12 months, so a person needs ongoing injections.
Things to keep in mind:
- Knowing that Botox is made from a bacterial toxin may alarm you at first. However, thanks to the long history and extensive research Botox has undergone, it’s one of the safest cosmetic procedures available today. It has a success rate of well over 99 percent and treats a surprising range of cosmetic and medical ailments.
- The purpose of Botox is to prevent muscle contractions around the eyes that cause frown lines and crow’s feet. Treatment affects the muscles under the skin. If you also want to improve your skin’s pigment or texture, consider another type of procedures .
