What is botox?

Botox® is a FDA approved drug that contains a neurotoxin. Botox is used to reduce the appearance of severe to moderate fine lines and wrinkles on your face.

The repeated contraction of the same facial muscles over time can cause these lines to appear. For example, when you smile, laugh or frown, you see a certain pattern of lines appearing on your face. As we age, the lines become permanent. 

Can botox help me look younger?

Botox® is a cosmetic procedure that relaxes the muscles. As a result, you get younger looking and wrinkle free skin. It turns back time and reduces the visible signs of aging. Following are some of the ways botox can make you look younger. 

• Temporarily smoothing out any lines and wrinkles on your face
• Enhances your natural beauty
• Tightens the skin

How does botox reduce the appearance of wrinkles?

Botox® is a neurotoxin that works by inhibiting the contraction of muscles. Normally, your brain sends messages via chemical messengers to the muscles to contract. Botox block these messages and as a result your muscles stay relaxed temporarily. 

However, it is important to remember that botox® tackles age related dynamic wrinkles only. Dynamic wrinkles are formed overtime due to repeated contractions. Here are some of the examples of dynamic wrinkles that appear on your face. 

• Crow’s feet – Lines that appear around the corner of your eyes when you smile.
• Frown lines – Vertical lines that appear between your eyebrows, AKA worry lines.
• Forehead lines – Horizontal lines on your forehead.
• Bunny lines – Lines that appear on the sides of your nose bridge. 

Funfact – Botox® is not the name of the procedure! It is a registered trademark of a company known as Allergan Inc,. Botox was the first ever FDA registered drug to reduce the appearance of facial lines. That’s why the procedure goes by the name of botox.  Some other brand names that have the similar but modified neurotoxin are Xeomin®, Dysport®, Jeuveau® and Myobloc®. 

How is botox treatment performed?

When you meet your provider for the consultation. He/She will analyze the area that needs to be targeted. Before your next visit, it’s best to avoid alcohol, painkillers, and blood thinners to avoid any swelling and unwanted side effects. 

During the procedure, your provider will start off by applying a numbing agent on the site of injection. Moving on, they will use very fine needles to inject smaller doses of botox into the desired area. The whole procedure is virtually painless but you can opt for a local anesthetic as well to avoid any sort of discomfort. 

Aftercare for the botox!

The treatment is simple and requires minimal aftercare. You will be advised against rubbing or massaging the treated area. It’s best to avoid any sort of heavy exercises, lying on your face and excessive exposure to sun as well. 

How long does it take for botox to show its effect?

Well, the botox kicks in completely within 1-3 and the results last longer than 3-4 months. This is when you need to go back and get another round of botox.

Some people believe that taking botox regularly might worsen the wrinkles. However, that’s not the case. On the contrary, taking botox regularly every 3-4 months might help in permanently reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles. It’s similar to training the muscles to stay in a relaxed state. Botox is FDA approved and safe to take only under the supervision of a licensed and trained aesthetic practitioner.