As we age, frown lines, forehead wrinkles, and lines near the eyes, better known as crow’s feet, become more pronounced. Frown lines and wrinkles can add unwanted years to the face, but they don’t have to. Botox has become one of the most popular non-surgical treatments for facial wrinkles because it is quick and effective, and minimally invasive.
What is Botox?
Botox Cosmetic is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles of the face to temporarily improve moderate to severe wrinkles. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved the use of Botox for these purposes. Botox temporarily reduces the muscle activity after it is injected which reduces the appearance of lines. The cosmetic solution contains small amounts of a purified botulinum toxin protein refined from the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. This injectable solution is commonly used to relax wrinkles in the forehead, near the eyes or eyebrows.
How Does Botox Rejuvinate the Face
Botox injections have become one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatments for wrinkles because they are so effective. Many patients are now even using them proactively to treat wrinkles before they develop. When Botox is injected into a wrinkle, the muscular nerve signal in that surrounding muscle gets blocked. This prevents the muscle from being able to move and it resolves in a relaxed state. As a result, wrinkles and creases are less pronounced and skin is smoother overall. Some of the etched-in wrinkles that have already develop begin to look more faded for a more youthful appearance.
Benefits of Botox
Using Botox consistently can help prevent new wrinkles as the face remains in a relaxed state. The sooner a patient addresses bothersome wrinkles, the less of a problem they will be in the future. The treatments can be repeated as necessary to maintain a youthful look with smoother skin.
One of the common misconceptions about this treatment is that the face will be frozen or look unnatural. However, when the treatment is performed by a qualified professional, the result is very natural. A professional knows exactly how much of the solution to inject and where to inject it so that the results are natural.
Both men and women of any age can benefit from Botox. Once considered a treatment for middle-aged women, it is now used by men and women of a bigger age range to rejuvenate the skin.
What to Expect During the Treatment
Botox is a treatment that happens in-office and is administered by a highly trained injector. The procedure only takes about 10-15 minutes to complete. Since Botox is a non-surgical treatment, it is quick and convenient and most patients do not require a numbing agent. Patients will experience no downtime and continue on with their day as normal after receiving the injections.
The treatment procedure uses a very thin needle at the injection sites in the face and neck. There may be minor residule effects at the injection sites, such as redness, swelling, and some bruising. These reactions usually fade quickly sometimes within a few hours.
Unlike some other cosmetic treatments, results do not take weeks to appear. Results can begin to start within a few days with the full effect of the treatment taking about 7 to 10 days. Lines will begin to diminish and the face will be visibily smoother and results last about three months.
A Refreshed Look
If you are considering looking more refreshed, contact us today for a consultation on how to improve fine lines and wrinkles with Botox. In our initial consultation, our qualified professionals will discuss your cosmetic and aesthetic goals for your face and tell you what you can expect during the treatment.