Whether you are looking to smooth out pesky facial wrinkles or treat a medical condition, botox can help. It uses a bacterial toxin to weaken or paralyze muscles.
It’s a safe, effective treatment for fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, especially crow’s feet. However, it’s important to find a trusted and experienced provider. Contact Botox San Diego now!
The term Botox refers to the brand name of a type of botulinum toxin injection. Healthcare professionals inject small amounts of this neurotoxic substance into specific muscles to smooth wrinkles and prevent migraine headaches, as well as treat a number of other medical conditions that affect the neuromuscular system. It also is used off-label for a variety of cosmetic reasons, though research is limited and its effectiveness for these purposes is uncertain.
The injections cause a temporary weakness in the muscle that is targeted, preventing it from tensing up. The effect lasts for about three to 12 months, depending on the area being treated. The drug is made from a purified bacteria (Clostridium botulinum) and is extremely safe when it is administered by trained medical professionals.
Most people tolerate the injections very well. The needles are very small, and most patients experience only a slight pinching or stinging sensation. Before the procedure, your provider may apply a topical anesthetic to minimize discomfort. You should not receive this treatment while pregnant or breastfeeding because it is not known whether the medication passes from mother to baby. It also should not be used by anyone who has a skin infection at the injection site, is taking certain medications such as muscle relaxants, antibiotics, aspirin-like products or blood thinners, or has an allergy to the ingredients in Botox.
Besides correcting fine lines and wrinkles, doctors use this medicine to treat bladder problems, including overactive bladder and urinary incontinence that is caused by nerve disorders, such as spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis. It is also used to relieve severe underarm sweating in adults.
Cosmetically, Botox is injected into the forehead crease, frown lines between the eyebrows and the crow’s feet around the eyes. It is also used to reduce thick bands in the neck, and on the lips and chin. It is not recommended to receive the injections from more than one medical professional or to have the procedure done more frequently than prescribed. This can lead to the toxins traveling from the intended target and into other parts of your body, which can cause serious side effects.
How Does Botox Work?
Botox is a neurotoxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. The toxin blocks nerve cells from sending out certain chemical messengers that instruct muscle cells to contract. When injected into the skin, Botox interferes with the release of this messenger at the junction where nerves meet muscle cells, and prevents the muscles from contracting. This results in a temporary reduction of lines and wrinkles.
In addition to cosmetic applications, Botox can be used for medical purposes including involuntary muscle spasms, migraine headaches and overactive bladder syndrome. Depending on the individual, it may be necessary to receive multiple injections to achieve maximum results.
When administered by a trained healthcare provider, Botox is safe and effective. It is a minimally invasive procedure that requires little to no downtime and provides immediate results. Your physician will clean the treatment area and apply a topical anesthetic before injecting. A small amount of pain, bruising and swelling may occur at the injection site.
The most common uses of Botox are for treating fine lines and wrinkles around the forehead, between the brows, and on the corners of the eyes (crows feet). The injections relax the muscles that cause these creases and wrinkles by blocking the signals to them from the nerves. The result is a smoother appearance that lasts about 3-12 months.
Other areas of the face that we use Botox for include nasolabial folds (bunny lines), glabellar lines between the eyebrows, neck bands and loose skin, and the platysma muscle of the neck which is responsible for neck wrinkles or “smoker’s lines.” When injected into this muscle it relaxes it and causes the neck to look more defined.
Generally, patients over 18 years of age who have moderate to severe lines and creases that are caused by dynamic muscle movement such as frowning or squinting are good candidates for this procedure. People with specific health conditions or on immunosuppressive medications should avoid the treatment. Side effects of the injections are temporary and can include bruising, headache, eyelid ptosis (dropping of the eyelid), and the possibility of a hematoma (mass of usu. clotted blood that forms in a tissue, organ, or body space as a result of a broken blood vessel).
What Are the Side Effects of Botox?
Botox is an injectable drug that uses a type of toxin to prevent muscles from moving for a limited time. It is used to smooth wrinkles, treat neck spasms, reduce excessive sweating, and help with a number of other medical conditions. The drug is made from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is a neurotoxin, which means it affects nerves to cause muscle weakness. It is often combined with other medicines, such as steroid creams or anti-inflammatory drugs, to increase its effectiveness.
Botox injections are safe when administered by trained, licensed health care professionals. They are usually done in a doctor’s office, a clinic or an outpatient surgery center. A topical numbing cream or anesthesia may be applied before the procedure. A small needle is then injected into the skin where the injection is needed. Botox can cause several side effects, but these are typically mild and temporary.
One of the most common side effects is a mild headache. This is usually caused by injuring a blood vessel near the injection site. It can also be a result of the stress of the injection process itself. Other minor side effects can include redness around the injection site, bruising and an occasional rash. If you develop a rash, call your doctor right away. In rare cases, an allergic reaction to the injection can occur that can be life-threatening. If you have trouble breathing, swelling or a rash that spreads quickly, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Other serious side effects are very rare and can be prevented. You can lower your risk of complications by avoiding touching the injection sites or getting other botulinum toxin injections at the same time. You should also avoid lying down or rubbing the treated area for 12 hours after treatment. You should also talk to your doctor about how often you should receive treatment.
Many people find that they need to receive Botox treatments every three to six months. But your body can train itself to relax, and you may need less frequent treatment over time. There isn’t a lot of research on long-term effects from repeated Botox injections.
What is the Cost of Botox?
The cost of Botox can vary significantly depending on unique candidate needs, geographic location and provider. Unlike most cosmetic treatments, which are priced by weight or volume, Botox is typically billed either by unit or area of treatment. The most common areas treated with Botox are the forehead, glabellar lines (between the eyebrows), crow’s feet and the chin.
The first step in determining your treatment cost is to meet with an experienced provider and let them know what areas you would like to treat. You will likely be asked to fill out a short medical history form before your injection appointment. This helps your injector to identify any potential issues that might prevent you from having an optimal experience or achieving the results you are hoping for.
Once your consultation is complete, the provider will take a few measurements of your face and decide on a placement strategy for the injections. Most providers will provide some sort of pre-icing or other comfort strategies to help reduce discomfort during the injection process. The injections themselves only take about five minutes and are relatively painless. Most patients report a slight pressure sensation, but no actual pain.
Medical practices usually price Botox by the unit, as Allergan (the manufacturer of Botox) sells it in 50 and 100-unit vials. This pricing model makes it easy for consumers to compare costs between various providers. It also ensures that you are only paying for the amount of Botox that is needed for your desired results.
A single unit of Botox can smooth out a wrinkle or crease by blocking certain muscles in the face. The number of units required varies depending on the strength of your muscles, the severity of the wrinkle or crease and whether you are looking for a more dramatic effect or simply a softening of facial expressions.
In general, the more experienced your Botox provider is, the higher your costs will be. You should be wary of providers offering prices significantly below the national average, as they may be using low-grade or expired product that is not FDA regulated and may have a higher risk of complications.