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What Does Botox Feel Like When It Starts to Work?

Botulinum toxin treatment eliminates fine lines and wrinkles.This article explains how the anti-wrinkle injection feels when it starts to work, possible side effects associated with the procedure and frequently asked questions regarding botulinum toxin treatment.

The increased popularity of the anti-wrinkle treatment has led to an increased number of cosmetic doctors performing this procedure. Patients should research to find a reputable cosmetic doctor for anti-wrinkle treatment. If you have not had botulinum toxin treatment before, you will likely wonder how it feels after the procedure.Botox is a drug that eliminates fine lines and wrinkles caused by muscular movements. Once the neurotoxin is injected, it reduces muscle activity,minimizing wrinkles. Read the following article to know how the anti-wrinkle treatment feels when it starts working.

How the Anti-wrinkle Treatment Feels Like

Immediately after injection, you may feel a slight residual stinging. This feeling is minimal because the needle used is not big. A small bump may appear on the injected site but disappears shortly after the procedure.

Botulinum toxin treatment does not work immediately after injection. After injection, your face will not significantly change compared to before the treatment. People with sensitive skin might experience some redness at this point.

Botulinum toxin treatment starts to show results in the first week after injection. In about three days, you should begin to notice changes on the injected site. If this is your first treatment, you might feel tightness in the treated area. You will notice changes in how your face responds once you make facial expressions and when lifting your eyebrows.

The effectiveness of botulinum toxin treatment varies from one client to the other. You will notice a full result 3-4 weeks after the anti-wrinkle treatment. However, you will still feel a limited range of facial movement, especially if it is your first time getting the anti-wrinkle treatment. If you experience an unusual feeling, consult your cosmetic doctor for assistance. He will be able to assess whether he can notice any symptoms of potential side effects.

Botox treatment affects people differently.The results can last 3-6 months, depending on the patient. This treatment is temporary. Therefore, its effect has to come to an end. At this point, the patient will notice fading effects of the injection. By the time you get to six months after injection, your face will have regained the full range of facial movements. You can schedule an appointment for another treatment with your cosmetic doctor three months after the injection. Regular treatments maintain a youthful look achieved after the first treatment.

After the anti-wrinkle treatment, the effects may be affected by possible side effects. Occurrence of side effects is not common though it might still happen. Most of these side effects vary depending on the area of treatment.

King (2016) explained that the most common botulinum toxin side effects include:

  • Bruising
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Irritation at the injection site
  • Headache
  • Droopy eyebrows

Serious side effects are rare. If they occur, they are mostly linked to the spreading of botulinum toxin treatment from the injection area to the surrounding areas. The risk of spreading can go up if the amount injected is more than required. Some of these complications may include the following:

Nerve or Muscle Problems

According to Wright,Civitarese& Baverstock (2016), botulinum toxin treatment can cause muscle weakness. Patients with myasthenia gravis should be cautious, as the drug can worsen the condition.

Heart Problems

Botulinum toxin treatment can rarely cause a heart attack. However, this can happen if the patient has a heart problem before the treatment.

Vision Problems

According to Punga &Liik (2020), botulinum toxin treatment can affect eye movement muscles and may cause double vision or depth perception issues. Eye damage, irritation and dry eyes can also happen.

Difficulty in Breathing and Swallowing

According to Dominguez,Dobke, & Dominguez (2016), the anti-wrinkle treatment can weaken muscles that control breathing and swallowing. This side effect couldthreaten your life if you had difficulty swallowing or breathing before the treatment.

To avoid these side effects, seek the services of a licensed cosmetic doctor to carry out the treatment procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions about Botox

How Much Does Botox Cost?

The price of the anti-wrinkle treatment varies depending on the experience of the cosmetic doctor and the amount required. The size and condition of the area to be injected determine the amount required for injection.

What Areas Can Be Treated with Botox?

When used for cosmetic purposes, Botox effectively addresses facial lines and wrinkles on the forehead, and eye area, also referred to as crow’s feet, lips and dimpling chin. It can also be injected into the muscle of the jaws to create a slim appearance.

At What Age Should I Start Getting Botox?

Anyone above 18 in the UK can get botulinum toxin treatment. Young people may want the anti-wrinkle treatment to prevent more wrinkles as soon as they see wrinkles and lines starting to develop.

Conclusion

In the UK, botulinum toxin injection is approved by the Medicines and Health Care products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The anti-wrinkle treatment is one of the safest treatments with minimal chance of infection. You should ensure that the cosmetic doctor is licensed to clarify doubts about his competence. Ensure you follow your doctor’s instructions to avoid possible complications and side effects. If you feel unusual, consult the doctor. Since the result is temporary, you can consider additional injections to prolong the effect. The botulinum toxin treatment procedure is simple and takes approximately 15 minutes. It is a great alternative to facial surgical procedures that takes a lot of time.

References

Dominguez, S., Dobke, M., & Dominguez Jr, S. (2016). Too Much of a Good Thing: Weakness, Dysphagia, and Stridor After Botulinum Toxin Injections A 68-year-old woman presented with diminished ability to raise her head, difficulty swallowing, and intermittent stridor 5 days after receiving 225 IU of onabotulinumtoxinA. Emergency Medicine, 48(12), 551-556.

King, M. (2016). Management of ptosis. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 9(12), E1.

Punga, A. R., &Liik, M. (2020). Botulinum toxin injections associated with suspected myasthenia gravis: An underappreciated cause of MG-like clinical presentation. Clinical Neurophysiology Practice, 5, 46-49.

Wright, I., Civitarese, A., & Baverstock, R. (2016). The use of intra-detrusor onabotulinumtoxinA in patients with myasthenia gravis. Canadian Urological Association Journal, 10(5-6), E184.

Marie Salbuvik
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