What is Botox?

Everyone has possibly heard of it Botox at one point or another, but many people who have never had a Botox treatment do not know much about how it works. Botox is the leading brand name of the toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum. Some of you’ll recognize the bacteria as a sort of food poisoning.

Those who experience botulinum food poisoning are paralyzed, which is how scientists discovered that clostridium botulinum could be used to induce controlled paralysis in the affected muscles.

What is Botox used for?

When used in small amounts and very diluted, this toxin can target individual facial muscles and temporarily weaken them. This practice successfully treats facial wrinkles and folds caused by regularly contracting facial muscles, such as the glabellar line between the eyebrows.

Botox is not just for crow’s feet and frown lines. Uncontrollable blinking and lazy eye can even be successfully treated with Botox. It has even been used to relax uncontrolled bladders, relieving incontinence in some patients.

How does Botox work?

Botox works by blocking communication between muscles and nerves. The nerves can no longer command the muscles to contract, so they remain in a flaccid, paralyzed state. This muscle relaxation softens and reduces the associated wrinkles.

It only takes a moment to inject each targeted muscle with Botox. The needles used are very fine, so no anesthetic is required in most cases. Less than a week after your treatment, the Botox will take full effect, and you’ll see the maximum release of wrinkles.

It is suggested that you avoid alcoholic beverages for at least seven days leading up to your treatment. To stop extreme bruising, it is best to avoid aspirin and anti inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen for the two weeks leading up to your treatment.

How long does the Botox effect last?

Botox can last up to six months. When the wrinkles start to reappear, it is time to do another treatment. While the lines and wrinkles will reappear, they will normally appear smoother and fewer noticeable over time, as the muscles involved are learning to relax utterly. Between treatments, you will not be causing further lines and wrinkles in the area, because you will not have the ability to wrinkle your skin.

Are there any side effects from using Botox?

Bruising is normally the only side effect of using Botox to treat facial muscles. Drooping eyelids are sometimes noticed when Botox is moved by rubbing the area within the first 12 hours, or by lying down within a few hours after treatment. Due to bruising, it isn’t common for the patient to rub the area or move the Botox. Although worrying, this condition normally clears up on its own in less than a month. Some users have experienced headaches that can last up to two days, but this isn’t quite common.