Botox is best known as a wrinkle-reducing cosmetic treatment, and you’ve probably seen the results in tabloid photos of celebs who’ve “had work done.” But it also has important medical uses. Contact Best Botox San Diego now!
For example, it can reduce chronic migraine headaches in adults who have 15 or more headache days a month. It can also help with eye muscle disorders, such as lazy eyes.
Botox is a FDA-approved medicine that helps soften wrinkles and treats some medical conditions. It is injected into muscles with a needle. It works by blocking nerve signals to the muscles. This causes the muscles to relax and stops them from moving so much. It takes a few days to take effect. The effects usually last about three to six months. You may need follow-up injections to maintain the results.
Botulinum toxin is made by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. The bacteria are common in soil and contaminated food. But when the bacteria enter the body, they cause a rare but serious disease called botulism. Doctors use only a specific type of botulinum toxin (type A) for medical treatments. They dilute and sterilize the toxin before they inject it.
The two main types of botulinum toxin are Botox and Dysport. Both work well for reducing facial wrinkles. The difference is that Botox is FDA-approved for cosmetic use, while Dysport is approved for medical uses such as neck spasms. Botox and its competitors also are known as neuromodulators.
When injected, the botulinum toxin blocks certain nerve signals that make muscle fibers contract. Injecting it into certain facial muscles causes them to relax, which reduces or removes wrinkles and other unsightly lines. The procedure is performed in a doctor’s office. The doctor first rubs an anesthetic cream on the injection area to numb it. Then the doctor injects small amounts of the botulinum toxin into the area with a very fine needle.
Your doctor will decide which areas to treat. It is important to choose a practitioner with extensive experience in administering botulinum toxin and a deep understanding of the muscular anatomy of the face. Inexperienced practitioners may inject too much botulinum toxin, which can give you a “frozen” look that could take months to correct.
Some other conditions that can be treated with botulinum toxin include chronic migraines, specific bladder problems and excessive sweating. It is important to tell your health care provider about any medications or supplements you are taking and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Botox is injected into the muscles of the face by a health care provider. The injections are usually painless, but your provider may numb the skin with an anesthetic cream or ice if the area is being treated for cosmetic reasons, such as wrinkles or sweating. Before the procedure, your provider will discuss your goals and determine if botulinum toxin is an option for you.
Injections of botulinum toxin work by weakening or paralyzing certain nerves. The toxin blocks the signals from the nerves that tell muscles to move, causing them to relax. This temporarily prevents the lines and creases in the skin from becoming permanent.
Although Botox is most well known for softening the frown lines between the eyebrows and crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes, it also can be used to treat neck spasms, wrinkles, eyelid spasms, migraine headaches and excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis). It also can improve the appearance of a lazy or crossed eye, and it helps with overactive bladder problems by blocking nerve impulses that tell the bladder to empty.
It takes less than 30 minutes to perform a Botox treatment in a doctor’s office. The procedure involves a few tiny injections using a needle. The practitioner may use ultrasound to help find the right spot. The number of shots will vary, but most people need 3-5 shots between the eyebrows for wrinkles and three shots on each side of the eyes to smooth out crow’s feet.
The practitioner will cleanse the face and mark the areas that are to be injected, perhaps with a removable eyeliner or marker. Several different injection sites will be needed to target the muscles involved in your problem, especially if it’s a complex area like a brow lift or forehead wrinkles.
You should always choose a qualified health care provider to give you the injections, and be sure they’re licensed as a doctor or dentist, pharmacist prescriber or nurse prescriber. These providers are on a register that shows they meet set standards of training, skill and insurance. It’s also a good idea to find out how much experience the health care provider has had.
If you are getting Botox injections to treat wrinkles, you should be aware of the side effects. These include pain, tenderness, redness, bruising, and swelling at the injection site. These usually fade within a day or two and should be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers or by applying ice.
Unlike dermal fillers, which use hyaluronic acid, Botox works by blocking certain chemical signals from nerves that cause muscles to contract. This allows the muscles to relax and can smooth out wrinkles. It can also be used to treat a condition called cervical dystonia, which is characterized by neck spasms that cause the head to twist or tilt in an unnatural way. It can also be used to treat muscle stiffness (spasticity) in the arms, hands, feet, or legs.
It is important to tell your practitioner about any other health conditions or medications you may have before receiving Botox injections. This includes prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines, as well as vitamins and supplements. It is also important to let your provider know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. This is because Botox contains human plasma, which could contain viruses or other infectious agents.
In rare cases, Botox can spread to areas other than the one injected. This can lead to a droopy brow or other unwanted facial expressions. To avoid this, always get your injections from a trained professional who uses only authentic Botox and follows the manufacturer’s guidelines for treatment.
Other potential side effects include a headache, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and is typically short-lived. Itching can also occur at the injection site, but it should disappear on its own.
Botox can also lead to eye problems, including blurred vision or dry eyes. This is a result of the botulinum toxin moving beyond the intended area and affecting other muscles. This can happen if you have a poor technician or if the Botox is injected in an incorrect location. To minimize this, it is best to only have Botox injected by a trained and experienced dermatologist or plastic surgeon.
The results of Botox are not permanent, but they can last up to six months before you need to return for another treatment. The results depend on many factors, including your unique body chemistry and the area treated. The results also depend on how frequently you get injections. If you use Botox more frequently, the effects will likely last longer.
It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions after your appointment. This includes avoiding touching the area and staying upright. This is because touching the injection site can disperse the toxin before it has had a chance to take effect, and lying down can force the toxin into other muscles. It is also important to avoid exercise right after the procedure. This is because exercise can stimulate new muscle growth, which can lead to the formation of new wrinkles.
You should also avoid direct sun exposure or tanning beds. This is because the UV rays can destroy collagen and lead to wrinkles that are not addressed by Botox. It is recommended that you wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day.
In addition, you should also avoid rubbing or massaging the area. This is because it can cause the toxin to spread into other areas of the face before it takes effect. This can also lead to bruising and swelling, which are both undesirable side effects. Finally, you should not consume alcohol right after the procedure because it can thin your blood and reduce the effectiveness of the Botox.
Botox is extremely safe when it is used by an experienced medical practitioner, and it is important to choose a doctor who is trained in the proper injection techniques. This will ensure that the toxin is injected into the correct muscles and that you get the most effective results.