The most common area for Botox injections is the face. Botox relaxes various facial muscles to eliminate wrinkles and temporarily help achieve a youthful appearance. Let’s find out where in the face one can have Botox injections.
Botox is a cosmetic treatment to temporarily weaken facial muscles and minimize the appearance of facial wrinkles such as forehead lines and crow’s feet, among others. Botox injection is an excellent option for nonsurgical ways to enhance their natural appearance. The procedure is non-invasive, safe, and quick, with mild side effects that subside within a few days after receiving a Botox injection. There is no downtime needed after Botox injections. Most patients normally return to their normal work routines after the injection without experiencing any serious effects. Unlike surgical cosmetic procedures, Botox injections are not permanent. The results of a Botox injection can last up to 3 to 6 months, depending on various factors such as depth of wrinkles, metabolism, and others. Most patients go for top-up injections at least once every 3 to 6 months to extend the longevity of their desired effects.
What Is Botox?
Botox is a trading name for Botulinum toxin, a protein neurotoxin derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum). C. botulinum can be found in natural settings such as lakes, forests, certain foods, and the intestinal tracts of some animals. Botulinum toxin is a very poisonous substance. One gram of botulinum toxin (evenly dispersed and inhaled) can kill over one million people. The toxin is responsible for a deadly disease known as botulism. Manufacturers of Botox use minute quantities of highly purified botulinum toxin, which is therapeutically safe.
How Does It Work?
Botulinum toxin or Botox is a neurotoxin. It works primarily on the nervous system by disrupting nerve-signalling processes, especially those that stimulate muscle contraction. Typically, the brain sends nerve signals to the muscle cells, causing them to contract and make dynamic movements. The signals are transmitted by acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter responsible for muscle contraction. Acetylcholine binds to the receptors found at the neuromuscular terminals causing surrounding muscle cells to contract. Nunez (2022)explained that the neurotoxin (Botox) blocks the release of acetylcholine, preventing muscles from contracting. It temporarily stops muscle contractions that cause skin wrinkling until the effects of Botox wears off. Patients with medical conditions linked to the neuromuscular system can also benefit from Botox injections. For example, according to Spinu et al. (2020), botulinum toxin has beenused for over 30 years to treat low urinary tract disorders such as overactive bladder and neurogenic bladder. The researchers state, “The toxin has multiple effects such as inhibition of the nerve growth factor, it blocks the bladder sensory afferent pathway, it has an apoptotic effect on the prostate tissue, by inhibiting the substance P, altering the nociceptive pathways. This paralysis lasts 3 to 6 months when injected into the neuromuscular junction of the skeletal muscle and more than one year if the injection is made into the smooth muscle.”
Where to Have Botox on the Face
According to Naik (2021), botulinum toxin indications for cosmetic applications include glabellar frown lines, crow’s feet, bunny lines, horizontal forehead lines, perioral lines, mental crease and dimpled chin, platysmal bands, mouth frown, and horizontal neckline. However, the FDA-approved indications for botulinum toxin type-A (Botox) are severe glabellar frown lines, lateral canthal lines, and horizontal forehead lines.
Forehead
For most patients, the forehead is the first to show ageing as one approaches old age. The formation of forehead lines and deep horizontal wrinkles on the upper face can be temporarily stopped with Botox injections. The effects of Botox injections can last up to around six months.
Crow’s Feet
Crow’s feet are tiny lines around the eye area. They extend from the corners of your eyes, especially when you smile or laugh. Botox injections soften the appearance of these lines giving you a smooth and refreshed look.
Glabellar
Biello & Zhu (2021) stated glabellar lines are small vertical between the eyebrows that make one look like they are frowning. They are also called “frown lines,” “elevens,” or “11 lines”. Botox injections work well for these lines giving you a young-looking appearance.
Marionette Lines
Marionette lines are vertical creases that extend from the corners of one’s mouth to the chin. They also occur naturally with ageing. Botox injections can smooth out the appearance of these lines and help patients with drooping mouth problems.
Other Face Areas That Can be Treated With Botox Injections
- Smoker’s lines or perioral lines
- Neck cords or bands
- Lipstick lines
- Bunny lines
- Upper lip ( gummy smile)
Frequently Asked Questions about Botox
What Are the Common Side Effects of Botox Injections on the Face?
Botox treatments have a few common side effects like other medical procedures, such as swelling, bruising, itching, bleeding, and redness. The side effects are mild and subside within a few days after the treatment.
Can I Get a Botox Injection While Pregnant?
The effects of Botox injections during pregnancy are still unknown. For that reason, most practitioners recommend avoiding the treatment while pregnant since there is no guarantee of the unborn baby’s safety.There have been reports of women unaware they were pregnant and had received botulinum toxin injections without adverse fetal effects. Since botulinum toxin is not expected to enter the systemic circulation after administration, it should not cross the placental barrier, creating controversy over pregnancy as a contraindication. Until additional evidence supports its safety during pregnancy, botulinum toxin is offered to pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers.”
How Long Does Botox Last?
The effects of Botox injections can last up to 3 to 6 months, depending on the area being injected and the amount of Botox used. Patients who wish to extend the longevity of their desired results often go for top-up injections at least once every 3 to 6 months.
Conclusion
Botox is an effective treatment for eliminating facial wrinkles and helping you achieve a smooth and young-looking appearance. The injectable is popularly used on the upper face for glabellar lines, forehead wrinkles, and crow’s feet. Botox injections require no downtime. Patients practically get back to their normal work routines immediately after receiving Botox. However, they must adhere to the doctor’s aftercare instructions for the best-looking results. Although the effects of Botox injections are long-lasting, the results are not permanent. Patients who want to extend the longevity of their Botox results often go for top-up treatments at least once every 3 to 6 months. Patients should also ensure that they receive Botox injections from a board-certified aesthetic practitioner to avoid adverse and side effects risks.
References
Biello, A., Oney, R., & Zhu, B. (2021). Botulinum Toxin Treatment Of The Upper Face. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.
Naik, P. P. (2021). Utilities of botulinum toxins in dermatology and cosmetology. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 14, 1319.
Núñez, F. D. R. G., de Castro, F. N., & Núñez, R. M. G. (2022). Medical Applications of Botulinum Toxin: Spasticity.
Spinu, A. D., Bratu, O. G., Diaconu, C. C., Stanescu, A. M. A., Bungau, S., Fratila, O., … & Mischianu, D. L. D. (2020). Botulinum toxin in low urinary tract disorders‑over 30 years of practice. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 20(1), 117-120.
In today's world, people's eating and exercise patterns have changed, and it is often lifestyle that is the cause of many diet-related illnesses. I believe that each of us is unique – what works for one does not help another. What is more, it can even be harmful. I am interested in food psychology, which studies a person's relationship with their body and food, explains our choices and desires for specific products, the difficulty of maintaining optimal body weight, as well as the influence of various internal and external factors on appetite. I'm also an avid vintage car collector, and currently, I'm working on my 1993 W124 Mercedes. You may have stumbled upon articles I have been featured in, for example, in Cosmopolitan, Elle, Grazia, Women's Health, The Guardian, and others.
- Post-Lip Fillers: Your Guide to Smoking Safely - February 17, 2024
- From Injection to Impact: How Long Fillers Take to Work - February 14, 2024
- The Truth About Lip Fillers During Pregnancy: What You Need to Know - February 13, 2024