Botox® Injections
Non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures are becoming increasingly popular among facial cosmetic patients. This is not surprising – the chance to reverse some signs of aging with a short procedure, involving almost no down time and a very easy recovery, is very appealing. Botox injections fit this description, and in fact are probably the most popular procedure performed at the Aesthetic Facial Plastic Surgery Medical Clinic. Below, you will find a complete introduction to Botox's effects and potential to greatly improve you appearance.
How Botox Works. Botox is a brand of injectible medication derived from the toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, a rare bacterial contaminant of food. Like this toxin, Botox can paralyze voluntary muscles by blocking the release of substances from nerves that tell the muscles to move. When injected into specific muscles, the wrinkles produced by those muscles are reduced or eliminated. The effects of Botox develop over two to three days, and last approximately three to five months.
Botox is extremely safe, because it is used in very small quantities. Even with an extensive facial treatment, the amount of Botox required is a very small fraction of a “dangerous” dose. To ensure safety, it is very important to use pure Botox that has been produced and distributed by its U.S. manufacturer, Allergan.
Suitable Patients for Botox. Patients with prominent wrinkles and creases of the forehead, lateral eyelids (“crow’s feet”), upper nose (“bunny lines”), and lips are good candidates for Botox. Also, patients with deep creases between the eyebrows can often benefit from Botox. Eyebrows can be raised slightly with Botox, so patients with low brows who do not want a brow lift can use Botox. Less commonly, patients with large cheeks from profound chewing muscles can use Botox. Ideal patients should also be using no blood thinning medications around the time of the injection, to reduce the chance of bruising.
The Injection Process. Botox injections at the Aesthetic Facial Plastic Surgery Medical Clinic are performed by Dr. Hicks, or by our nurse aesthetician, Roseann Gallagher. After a thorough discussion of your goals, and a complete exam of your facial features, you will be give an ice pack to hold against the areas to be injected. Rubbing alcohol will then clean these areas, and the proper amount of Botox will be injected into carefully selected muscles using the thinnest possible needle. Further application of ice will reduce any minimal soreness from the injections.
Anesthesia. Since the needle used is so small, there is no risk of severe pain from the injections. Therefore, no anesthetic is needed, and patients find the process to be easily tolerated.
Recovery. It is wise to avoid exertion for six hours after Botox injections. Other than this, there are no specific instructions or precautions.
Read frequently asked botox questions.
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