More and more people are turning to cosmetics to reflect the way they feel inside. BOTOX treatment is one such rejuvenation technique used to relax specific facial muscles that cause facial wrinkles.
How and why do wrinkles form?
Facial wrinkles form when we use our muscles to make facial expressions. The wrinkles formed during these facial movements are called dynamic wrinkles. For example, when we smile our eye wrinkles become prominent and when we frown, the vertical lines between our eyebrows become noticeable.
In youth, the skin springs back to its initial position after making a facial expression. As we age, dynamic wrinkles turn into static wrinkles, that are present even when the skin is at rest. This process occurs because natural substances in our skin such as collagen (natural protein in skin), elastin (protein that causes tissue to stretch) and Hyaluronic acid (gives skin volume) decrease as we age. Chronological ageing with environmental factors such as sun exposure, smoking and stress all contribute in the creation of wrinkles and folds.
What is BOTOX treatment?
BOTOX is a natural, purified protein that relaxes wrinkles causing muscles, creating a rejuvenated appearance. The active ingredient in BOTOX is derived from a bacteria and is manufactured under sterile laboratory conditions.
How does BOTOX treatment work?
BOTOX relaxes specific facial muscles responsible for causing dynamic wrinkles (wrinkles formed during facial expression). Once the muscles are relaxed, you cannot contract them preventing undesirable facial expressions. Thus, the lines gradually smoothen out and new lines are prevented from forming.
Will I still be able to make facial expressions?
Although treatment results are noticeable, BOTOX does not radically change your facial appearance or make you look as if you’ve had any work done.
What does BOTOX treatment involve?
BOTOX treatment is a non-surgical procedure whereby a small amount of BOTOX is administered into selected facial muscles by a trained dermatologist using a very fine needle. Generally, a BOTOX treatment takes around 10 minutes. Discomfort is typically minimal and brief, and an anesthetic is usually not required; the injection may sting for a few seconds. Normal activities can be resumed soon after the treatment.
The doses recommended for the treatment will vary depending on your individual indication and the severity of your lines. Your dermatologist knows the best dose for you and which muscles to inject to give you the best results.
How long does BOTOX treatment last?
The effects of treatment can last up to 4 months before lines slowly begin to return. After repeated treatments, the effect tends to last longer.
Does BOTOX treatment cause more wrinkles to form?
BOTOX relaxes the facial muscles that cause expression lines thus preventing the wrinkles from forming. If you choose not to repeat BOTOX treatments your muscles eventually return to their normal activity and your wrinkles will gradually revert to their pre-treatment levels.
How quickly can I see a difference?
Within 3 days of BOTOX treatment, you start noticing a softening in the appearance of your frown lines between your brows and it may take up to 7 days to see the full results. The treated area will continue to improve for up to a month.
Are there any side effects?
In the dosage used for improvement of facial lines, the side effects if any, are usually temporary and localized to the treatment area. Possible side effects include headache, pain, burning / stinging, swelling or redness at the injection site, localized muscle weakness including drooping eyelids / eyebrows, swollen eyelids, skin tightness, tingling sensations, itching / aching forehead, nausea and flu-like symptoms.