Botox Injection
What is Botox® and how does it works?
Sort of a surgical facelift, this substance is the most popular way to reduce facial wrinkles. Botox® can be used as a wrinkle treatment to smooth:
- Frown lines
- Crow’s feet
- Forehead furrows
- Skin bands on the neck
Smiling, frowning, squinting and even chewing – basically any facial movement can eventually lead to one of the most common signs of aging: wrinkles. They can make you appear tired or even angry when you are not. One of the quickest and safest remedies to remove wrinkles is an injection of Botox®.
Injections of this substance blocks muscular nerve signals, which then weakens the muscle so that it can’t contract and diminishes your unwanted facial wrinkles.
Botox® can be combined with other cosmetic skin procedures such as chemical peels, dermal fillers or microdermabrasion to further improve your results. This combination of therapies can even help to prevent the formation of new lines and wrinkles.
Benefits of Botox® Injection
Special considerations for Botox® Injection
You may resume normal activities immediately. One note of caution: Don’t rub or massage the treated areas after the injection because it can cause the Botox® substance to migrate to another area of your face. If this happens, you could have temporary facial weakness or drooping.
How is the procedure done?
There are 43 muscles in your face and it’s vital that the person who performs Botox® injections understands and pinpoints the correct spots to optimize your treatment. A very thin needle is used to inject small amounts of Botox® into specific muscles. By carefully choosing specific muscles, your healthcare provider weakens only the wrinkle-producing muscles, preserving your natural facial expressions.
Botox® injections usually take less than 15 minutes. The number of injections you need will depend on multiple factors, including 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.
No anesthesia is required. There is no down time or recovery time. You may notice results within a few days, but it can take up to a week to see the full effect. This improvement typically lasts about three to four months. When the effects of Botox® begin to fade, your muscle reactions and the wrinkles will return.
