One of the biggest trends in cosmetic medicine in recent years has been the shift towards less invasive procedures. This new wave of non-surgical aesthetic medicine gives patients the desired appearance and radiance without the need for risky surgical procedures. At the forefront of this trend are injections of neuromodulators, commonly known as Botox (one of neuromodulator brands), a cosmetic procedure that involves injections that help prevent as well as diminish the appearance of expression lines, especially in the upper face. Botox, which has been on the market for over 20 years, is one of the best anti-wrinkle treatments. It can help correct forehead wrinkles, frown lines, crow’s feet, nose wrinkles, smoker’s lines and neck lines among others. Let’s take a closer look at what Botox is, how it works, and what it’s used for.
HOW A BOTOX TREATMENT WORKS
One of the advantages of Botox is that it is a minimally invasive procedure. It requires a series of small injections given by a healthcare professional. The injections are done with very small needles to deliver Botox to areas you are looking to improve or areas where you want to prevent the appearance of wrinkles. Because it is administered with tiny needles, Botox is painless for most patients. The application of a topical anesthetic agent is not necessary prior to your treatment. The recovery time after Botox injections is also very short. It is recommended that you do not lie down for 6 hours following your treatment and that you do not exert significant pressure in the treated area (facial, massage, exfoliation) for one week following the treatment. This will help the Botox to settle in the appropriate area of your face and prevent it from migrating to other parts of your face where we don’t want it to go.
HOW AND WHEN IS BOTOX USED
Botox relaxes the muscles into which it is injected to prevent or treat expression lines caused by the contraction of these muscles. The most common applications of Botox include the treatment of crow’s feet and forehead wrinkles. One of the reasons why it is so popular is that it is a quick and safe alternative to more invasive procedures such as eyebrow lifting or other facial reshaping. Botox has also been approved by the FDA and Health Canada to treat chronic migraines and underarm sweating.
WHAT BOTOX DOESN’T DO
Many people confuse Botox and fillers. Although both can be used to treat wrinkles on your face, fillers are used to give volume to certain areas of the face, while Botox is used to relax the muscles responsible for expression lines. It will be up to the healthcare professional you consult to help you decide which procedure is best for you based on your specific requirements and desired results.
BOTOX RESULTS TAKE SOME TIME TO APPEAR
Botox is a quick and simple procedure, but the results take some time to appear. Normally, results begin to be visible between 3 to 6 days after the injection and can continue to evolve for up to 2 weeks after the injection. On average, results can last between four and six months. If you’re looking to smooth away fine lines and wrinkles and keep your face and skin smooth and youthful, Botox is one of the most effective non-surgical, minimally invasive aesthetic medicine procedures.
