What Is In Botox?

Botox is one of the most reliable cosmetic treatments that work effectively after injection to keep your face looking youthful. This article explains what Is in Botox, what Botox corrects, the side effects of Botox and the frequently asked questions on Botox treatment.

Botox is a cosmetic treatment that is given through injections. The treatments are not invasive, unlike treatments that involve surgery. It is also useful as a medication to treat spasticity and muscle pain. Since ageing skin is an issue of concern to many people, Botox has been used to restore a youthful appearance by eliminating unwanted facial features caused by muscle movements. Facial muscle movements are caused mainly by smiling, laughing and facial expressions like raising the eyebrows. Muscle movement then causes wrinkles and fine lines on the face.Botox contains purified bacteria that reduce the activities of muscles. It is a purified form of botulinum toxin. Active ingredients in Botox include botulinum toxin type A, while inactive ingredient includes human albumin and sodium chloride. Botox and other treatments that are made from botulinum toxin are sometimes called neuromodulators or neurotoxins. Botox blocks nerve signals in the region where it gets injected. When this happens, the muscle’s activities are reduced, which results in softening, reducing or eliminating wrinkles. Botulinum toxin consists of two proteins joined together by easily broken chemical bonds. Botox is used in small doses because it is potent.

What Botox Corrects

According to Small (2014), Botox only works on wrinkles caused by muscle movement but not those caused by sagging or loss of volume in the face. These types of wrinkles caused by sagging and loss of plumpness are called static wrinkles that may appear on the cheeks, the neck and jowl areas. Additional treatments are administered to improve the effect of Botox in the area of injection.

Various areas of the face show wrinkles resulting from muscle movements that would require an injection of Botox. These areas become the sites for injection. They include:

• The area between the eyebrows or glabellar
• Wrinkles around the eyes are called crow’s feet
• Wrinkle on the forehead
• Lines on the corners of the mouth
• Wrinkles that appear on the skin of the chin

Botox injections should be placed precisely by an experienced cosmetic doctor to avoid side effects. A Patient should have a pre-injection appointment with the cosmetic doctor so that the doctor can determine whether the patient is qualified to receive the treatment. The patient should inform the doctor whether they have had any injections within the past four months, whether they experienced allergic reactions after Botox injection and if he had taken blood thinners. According to King (2017), blood thinners can cause bruising or bleeding after injection. Therefore, taking blood thinners should be stopped several days before the procedure. The cosmetic doctor uses a thin needle to inject botulinum toxin into the muscles in the injection area. The extent of the area being treated determines the number of injections needed, among other factors. One should not rub or massage the injected area at least 24 hours after injection to prevent the toxin from spreading into the surrounding areas. One will start to see changes in the area of injection after five days. A near-full result is seen 10-14 days after injection, and the full result occurs 30 days after injection. To maintain the effect, taking additional injections can be a good option.Among those people who should not take Botox treatment are;

• Breastfeeding women. Although there is no evidence to show Botox’s effects on breast milk, it is better to take precautions because the effect is unknown.
• Pregnant women. Avoiding to get Botox treatment during pregnancy is a precautionary measure against any risks that may occur.
• According to Liu et al. (2018), people with neuromuscular disorders can experience respiratory issues like difficulty breathing or difficulty breathing if they are exposed to low doses of Botox.
• People suffering from neurological diseases should not take Botox treatment because it can aggravate their condition.

Complications and Side Effects of Botox

Botox may trigger side effects and complications like:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Eye dryness
• Numbness
• Upset stomach
• Droopy eyelid
• Crooked smiles
• Drooling

A droopy eyelid is also referred to as ptosis. It occurs when Botox is not administered correctly. According to Rouientan et al. (2019), this condition occurs when Botox spreads to the areas surrounding the injection site. Injection in the region between the eyes may spread into the eyebrow to cause the eyebrow to lower, causing a droopy eyelid.

Frequently Asked Questions about Botox

How Long Does Botox Effect Last?

The effect of Botox lasts 3-6 months after injection. Additional injections are administered into the injection area to maintain and some instances, prolong the effect in the injected area.

What Should I Avoid Immediately After Botox?

• Avoid exercises at least 24 hours after the injection
• Maintain an upright posture for about 4 hours after treatment
• Avoid taking alcohol and blood thinning medications to prevent the risk of bruising
• Avoid touching and massaging the injected site for at least four hours after injection.

What Happens When Botox Wears off?

Once Botox wears off, the muscle will start functioning as before the treatment. The wrinkles treated will begin to reappear.

Can You Wear Makeup After Botox?

Avoid makeup for at least 1 hour. Apply minimal makeup and ensure one does not apply much pressure during application. It prevents Botox from spreading to the surrounding areas.

Conclusion

Before taking Botox treatment, ensure it is the right option for an individual. Book a pre-treatment consultation with the cosmetic doctor so that you can get an opportunity to see their anti-wrinkle injections and learn more about the procedure. It also gives the doctor a chance to look at the areas of one’s face where you need treatment done, making it easy for him to prepare for the treatment. A good cosmetic doctor should have images before and after treatment results so the patient can know what to expect. Make sure you check the doctor’s credentials during the appointment.

References

King, M. (2017). The management of bruising following nonsurgical cosmetic treatment. The Clinical and aesthetic dermatology Journal, 10(2), E1.

Liu, J., Xu, Y. Y., Zhang, Q. L., & Luo, W. F. (2018). Efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin type A in treating patients of advanced age with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. Pain Research and Management, 2018.

Rouientan, A., Otaghvar, H. A., Mahmoudvand, H., & Tizmaghz, A. (2019). A rare complication of botox injection: a case report. World journal of plastic surgery, 8(1), 116.

Small, R. (2014). Botulinum toxin injection for facial wrinkles. American family physician, 90(3), 168-175.