Botox is a simple, safe treatment that takes just a few minutes. It can smooth fine lines and wrinkles, prevent migraine headaches, and treat some medical conditions such as excessive sweating and bladder control issues.
It is made from a purified protein called onabotulinum toxin A, and is injected into muscles using tiny needles. It can improve facial asymmetry and muscle weakness, but it should only be administered by trained medical professionals.
What is Botox?
Botox (botulinum toxin type A) is an injectable treatment that reduces or eliminates facial fine lines and wrinkles. These include frown lines, forehead creases, and crow’s feet near the eyes. It can also treat thick bands in the neck, a gummy smile, and other cosmetic concerns.
It works by blocking certain chemical signals from nerves that cause muscles to contract. The injections typically feel like a pinprick or sting. The doctor may use ice or a topical anesthetic to minimize discomfort. The treatment usually takes just a few minutes.
The FDA has approved the use of Botox to treat excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) and to reduce the frequency of migraine headaches in adults who get 15 or more days of migraines each month. However, it is not recommended for use in children or pregnant women. Clostridium botulinum, the bacteria that produces the neurotoxins in Botox, can cause a serious infection called botulism. But when the neurotoxins are properly diluted and administered by trained health care professionals, they are very safe.
What is the procedure?
The injectable is injected directly into the muscle or skin where treatment is needed. Your doctor will use a fine needle and will only need to make several small injections. The procedure is outpatient and typically takes about 10 minutes or less. Your doctor may apply a topical numbing cream before injections to help minimize any discomfort.
Botox works by temporarily blocking the nerves’ signals to muscles. The muscle then weakens and relaxes, which helps to smooth the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Injections are usually well tolerated by most people. Some patients have reported mild discomfort, but this is generally not a major problem.
It is important to have your Botox treatment Bowling Green KY performed by medical professionals with a thorough understanding of facial anatomy and therapeutic dosing. This will help ensure optimal results without the risk of unwanted side effects such as facial asymmetry or muscle weakness. You will likely need to return for retreatment every three to four months.
How long will the procedure last?
It may take up to 10 days for you to notice the results of your Botox treatment Bowling Green KY. If you don’t see an improvement by then, please inform us so we can perform a touch up free of charge.
Swelling at the injection sites is normal and should be expected after any procedure. To reduce swelling, we advise avoiding any physical exertion such as intense exercise or hot yoga for the first 24 hours following your treatment. This will prevent the toxin from moving to areas of the face where it’s not needed, which can cause droopy eyes or facial paralysis.
In order to maintain your results, we recommend that you receive regular follow up treatments every 3 months. This helps to extend the duration of your results as your muscles will train themselves to contract less often over time. Other factors that influence the duration of your results are age, muscle activity, stress levels, and diet.
Are there any side effects?
Botox is a safe and effective treatment with minimal side effects. The most common ones are pain or mild bruising at the injection site, headache or flu-like symptoms for the first 24 hours and temporary droopiness in the face. These are usually not serious and will resolve on their own within a few days. Applying a cold washcloth or taking over-the-counter painkillers may help reduce the symptoms.
Dry skin is also a common side effect but it is easy to treat with a dermatologist-approved moisturizer. Patients should always disclose any medical conditions or medications to their provider before getting Botox, especially if they have an underlying nerve condition like Lou Gehrig’s disease. Also, people with thin skin should be aware that the effects may not last as long as those with thicker, more elastic skin. In some cases, the toxin can spread beyond the intended muscle and cause drooping eyelids or eyebrows (blepharoptosis or ptosis). This is rarely seen in younger patients and usually resolves with time.
