Botox

Botox is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. It is a non-surgical treatment that can temporarily reduce lines caused by overexpresion of certain muscles (such as frown lines between the brows and crow’s feet). It is used in people between the ages of 18 and 65. During the treatment, very small amounts of Botox are administered using a tiny needle inserted directly into the muscles that cause the expression lines. Depending upon the number of areas that need treating and the experience of the Botox practitioner, treatments take about 15 to 30minutes and are usually painless. No recovery time is needed, and you should begin to see an improvement within three to four days, and the results usually last up to 4  months.

Within two to three days, you may see a marked improvement in frown lines between your brows. However, the lines continue to improve for up to a month, and your skin appears smoother. The results from Botox last for up to four months; regular treatments are thus required to maintain a wrinkle-free look. In clinical trials, nearly 90% of men and women rated the improvement in their appearance as moderate to better one month after treatment.

Crow’s feet and frown lines between your brows form over time as the result of muscle activity. The theory behind treatment is to reduce this muscle activity. Botox is injected directly into the muscles between your brows, and it works by blocking the signals between nerves and the injected muscles, thereby reducing the activity of the muscles (through temporary paralyisis) that cause those lines to form.

The results from treatment with Botox usually last for about three to four months. However, if you do not continue with regular Botox treatment, your lines (frown lines and crow’s feet) will eventually come back to the level they were at prior to your treatment.

You may experience some discomfort during the treatment, but as the needle is so small, this is usually minimal. Some dentists, hygienists  numb the area with a local anaesthetic cream prior to injection, and if they’re using dermal fillers in the lips – a rather sensitive area – local anaesthetic is used to numb them. Once you have had the treatment, you can get on with your everyday tasks.

Although the effects and results are visible after about three days, treatment with Botox will not dramatically change your facial appearance or make you look totally expressionless The muscle activity that causes the forehead frown lines is simply reduced, so you should still be able to frown or look surprised, just without wrinkles and creases between your brows.

The most common side effects after botox injections include temporary eyelid drooping and nausea. Localized pain, infection, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, redness, and/or bleeding/bruising may also be associated with the injection.