The popularity of botulinum toxin treatment is high,with more people seeking to treat their facial wrinkles. In this blog, you will find out how the anti-wrinkle treatment works, the facial areas for botulinum toxin treatments, the aftercare tips and precautions, and the medical uses of the anti-wrinkle treatment.
Botox is a popular cosmetic and medical brand representing a treatment that uses highly diluted and purified botulinum toxin. The brand’s popularity is growing yearly, with over 13 million people in the UK seeking to harness its therapeutic and cosmetic benefits. The primary use of the botulinum toxin is to soften facial wrinkles and deep-rooted fine lines that form as people age. According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), anti-wrinkle injections are safe and provide immediate results with minimal downtime. The common side effects of the procedure include swelling, bruising, and redness. However, they immediately disappear a few hours after the treatment. Nonetheless, botulinum toxin treatments’ safety depends on the cosmetic doctor’s qualification since wrongly placed toxins can trigger infections, a frozen look or permanent face distortion.
What is BotulinumToxin Treatment and How Does it Work?
Botulinum toxin injections are done into facial muscles using a small needle to minimise discomfort. Unlike surgical cosmetic procedures, the treatment is quick and takes approximately 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the consultation period and the professionality of the aesthetic practitioner. The toxin causes temporary muscle weakness upon injection by blocking the nerve signals that cause the facial muscles to contract.
Most facial wrinkles result from repetitive muscle movements, such as expressions and squinting. The botulinum toxin binds with certain receptors to relax muscles and smoothen the accumulating ageing signs. It is important to note that the treatment doesn’t work on wrinkles formed by sinking facial tissues like creases or thin lips. Dermal fillers are best suited for plumping thin lips or harrowing cheeks caused by tissue weakening. Nonetheless, the neurotoxinis gradually metabolised by the patient’s body mechanism, and within a few months,its beauty effects diminish. According to Braz,Louvain &Mukamal (2013), botulinum toxin treatment results last for approximately 3 to 6 months, depending on the professionality of the cosmetic doctor, the patient’s lifestyle, the depth of facial lines, and the body’s metabolic rate.
Facial Areas for the Anti-wrinkleTreatment
The following are the common wrinkles that Botulinum toxin can soften;
- Forehead wrinkles: the formulation of forehead wrinkles is the first sign of old age. They are horizontal lines that run across the top of the face and move with your facial expressions. They are difficult to hide even using cosmetic makeup, which may be why they are mostly targeted.
- Crow’s feet are lines extending from the corners of the eyes and are more pronounced when you smile or laugh.
- Frown lines are pronounced lines on the forehead running vertically between the eyebrows. They mostly appear when you seem tired, angry or upset. Luckily, Botox injectables as shown to reduce the depth of these lines by relaxing forehead muscles.
- Smoker lines: you don’t have to smoke to have perioral lines. They appear when you purse your lips and fan into the surrounding facial areas. In the hand of an experienced cosmetic doctor, these lines can be softened using a small amount of botulinum toxin.
- Marionette lines extend from the corners of the mouth down to the jaws. According to Mess (2017), it can be challenging to eliminate marionette lines due to the interplay of muscles in the lower jaw; hence seek an aesthetic doctor who understands how these muscles work simultaneously.
- Neck cords: these bands are noticeable in old age. They occur when the platysma muscles start to sag, making the neck appear bumpy. Botox toxins can relax those muscles and make the neck cords less visible.
Botox Aftercare Tips and Precautions
Although botulinum toxin treatments areconsidered safe by FSA, they can trigger prolonged side effects and complications if performed by an untrained cosmetic doctor. A qualified doctor provides an effective and safe procedure with minimal downtime. Swelling and bruising are the only common side effects, but they wear off within the first two days after the injection. Sameera et al. (2021) explained that a qualified cosmetic doctor would outline some of the following aftercare tips to hasten the recovery time and settlement of the neurotoxins:
- Don’t take alcohol, blood thinning medications, and supplements like Vitamin E for 24-48 hours. They trigger swelling and bruising after the injection
- Sleep with your head elevated to avoid discomfort or worsen the bruises formed on the injection site.
- Sit up for the first 3 to 4 hours after the injection. Bending or leaning can cause the neurotoxins to migrate to untargeted areas causing temporary paralyse of certain facial muscles
- Do not fly for a week since the plane’s air pressure can trigger bruising and swelling on the injected sites
- Avoid makeup for at least a day after the injection since makeup brushes can cause toxin migrations. The makeup can suffocate the skin affecting its natural healing process.
- Stay hydrated and eat healthy meals to boost the body’s healing process
- Give your injection site a break by avoiding rough touches
- Don’t apply ice packs on the treated area since the treatment is a sterile procedure
Medical Uses of BotulinumToxin Treatments
Clinic physicians can also use botulinum toxins to counteract symptoms of certain body complications that affect the neuromuscular system. Truong et al. (2014) highlighted the following disorders that can be treated using Botox injections:
- Cervical dystonia causes the neck muscle to contract and position or twist the patient’s head at an uncomfortable angle.
- Treats frequent headaches caused by chronic migraines.
- Reduces muscle contractions that cause overactive bladder
- Hyperhidrosis causes excessive sweating.
- Sialorrhea is a neurological condition that triggers excessive saliva production.
Frequently Asked Questions about Botox
Will Your Face Look Unnatural after Botulinum ToxinTreatments?
The anti-wrinkle treatment bya highly skilled cosmetic injector can make your face look natural and even more refreshed and youthful. However, wrongly placed or high doses of botulinum toxin can make your face appear frozen or expressionless.
How Long Does Results from BotulinumToxin Treatment Last?
Although Botox neurotoxins are best suited to treating facial wrinkles, their optimal result gradually disappears a few months after the injection. In most cases, it lasts for approximately 3 to 6 months, depending on the patient’s body metabolism, the amount injected, the facial area treated, and the experience of the aesthetic doctor.
Conclusion
Botox is a brand for botulinum toxin treatments used by clinical doctors to eliminate facial ageing signs or treat certain muscular complications. The treatment is a painless sterile procedure that takes a few minutes to complete the injection. It relaxes the muscles responsible for formulating facial wrinkles such as forehead lines, crow’s feet, frown lines, neck cords, and marionette lines. Additionally, Botulinum injections can aid in reducing the effects of body complications like chronic migraine, excessive sweating, neck spasms, excessive saliva production, and overactive bladder.
References
Braz, A. V., Louvain, D., &Mukamal, L. V. (2013). Combined treatment with botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid to correct unsightly lateral-chin depression. Anais brasileiros de dermatologia, 88, 138-140.
Mess, S. A. (2017). Lower face rejuvenation with injections: Botox, Juvederm, and Kybella for marionette lines and jowls. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 5(11).
Sameera, D., Riya, B., Rukshar, K., Meena, J., Nisha, Y., & Vishal, J. (2021). BOTOX-A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW AND ITS USES IN DENTISTRY. Annals of the Romanian Society for Cell Biology, 25(6), 17006-17019.
Truong, D., Hallett, M., Dressler, D., & Zachary, C. (Eds.). (2014). Manual of botulinum toxin therapy. Cambridge University Press.
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