Doctors have successfully used Botox for the treatment of wrinkles for years, and patients love it. It’s very safe, has no downtime and is an affordable option in the anti-aging market. Botox is the most common solution for those wrinkles and lines that start to appear as we grow older. In addition to wrinkles, there are several other treatments that use Botox.
WHAT DOES BOTOX DO?
Botox is injected into the muscle and actually blocks the signal from the nerve to the muscle. When the muscle is treated with Botox, it cannot contract, causing the wrinkles to relax. Areas commonly treated for wrinkles with Botox include forehead lines, “crow’s feet” or lines around the eyes, and lines around the mouth and lips. After a Botox treatment, the effects typically last around 4 months and as the Botox begins to wear off, the muscle will slowly begin to show some signs of wrinkles, letting you know it is time for your next treatment. Over time the wrinkles will appear less severe as your Botox wears off because the muscles do become trained to be more relaxed. Botox also stops new wrinkles from forming, making it an ideal preventative wrinkle treatment.
Botox injections are very fast and relatively pain free. There is no anesthesia needed prior to receiving Botox and the treatment only takes a few minutes. Your injector will use a fine needle to place the Botox into the targeted areas. Patients usually describe it as feeling like minor pin pricks, just for a moment. The Botox will take full effect three to seven days following the procedure. Most people experience minimal side effects, including temporary bruising. To reduce the risk of bruising, it’s best to stop taking aspirin and other anti-inflammatory medications a few days prior to receiving your treatment.
OTHER BOTOX TREATMENTS
The Botox lip flip is the newest treatment being used to enhance the appearance of the upper lip. This technique flips out the lip line, rolling the lips outward, giving a fuller appearance. This technique requires only a small amount of Botox, making it quick and affordable.
Botox can also be used to treat excessive sweating, or what is known as hyperhidrosis. The Botox blocks the secretion of the chemical that causes the sweat glands to become active. However, it is only temporary and can be very costly. Another treatment for excessive sweating is miraDry, which is a one-time treatment to stop underarm sweating, which also stops odor and reduces hair growth. For about the same cost as one Botox treatment, miraDry offers the majority of patients a permanent solution to excessive underarm sweat and odor.
If you are experiencing lines and wrinkles on your face, or you’re interested in Botox for other treatments, schedule a free consultation with one of our skin care experts at Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery’s Skin Care Center.
