Medically known as Botulinum, Botox is a quick and effective remedy for smoother, wrinkle-free skin, eradicating forehead lines, crow’s feet and frown lines. Botox is an injection skin treatment which disrupts and paralyzes the release of acetylcholine, the chemical which triggers a muscle contraction that creates wrinkles. The treatment leaves the patient looking more youthful and feeling more rejuvenated.
About the Procedure
First, your doctor will have you sit in a reclining chair and apply numbing cream to the targeted location. The doctor may select numerous injection points for each location to be treated. These points may not be located on the wrinkle itself, but at the area where the muscle contracts. He will then inject Botox filler into the area marked beneath the skin. The procedure ought to take no more than 30 minutes and be relatively comfortable.
Types and Options
Botox Cosmetic and Botox are made from botulinum toxin Type A, and Myobloc is from botulinum Type B. Another type of Botox may be available someday soon. Already approved in more than 60 countries, Dysport/Reloxin, an injectable form of botulinum toxin Type A, is moving down the pike.
Length
The treatment may take 10 to 30 minutes or up to one hour from start to finish. You ought to start seeing the effects of Botox within the first few days, and they will last for about 3-6 months.
Benefits
Since it erases on average 80% of wrinkles such as crow’s feet and frown lines, Botox can leave you feeling and looking much younger. Because of its muscle-relaxing effect, many surgeons claim to have had success using Botox in the treatment of migraine headaches, excessive sweating and muscle spasms.
Effects can be cumulative over time with repeated treatments, or even preventative if injections are begun before expression lines begin to appear.
Who is an ideal candidate?
An ideal candidate would be showing signs of facial aging with tired looking wrinkles and lines, but would prefer this kind of treatment to actual surgery. They would also like to boost their self-confidence.
Who is not an ideal candidate?
A candidate who is not ideal would be pregnant or nursing women as research has still not proven that Botox is safe for the fetus. They could also have an infection at the targeted treatment location and be suffering from neurological disorder.
Recovery
You may feel like applying a lightweight cold compress to the treated location for a few minutes after the injections, and do not lie down for a few hours. If you suffer from slight facial side-effects such as bruising or redness, you can simply apply make-up to cover this up.
Preparing your surgery
While preparing for your surgery, it is essential that you discuss the procedure with your doctor so giving him a good idea on how you wish to change your appearance. Moreover, the surgeon should look into your health history and examine your facial skin. Your surgeon will perform a health history and complete a facial examination to determine which areas of your face may benefit from Botox Cosmetic.
Botox
Cosmetic can only treat wrinkles caused by muscle contractions; therefore, you may need facial chemical peels or laser skin resurfacing to eliminate additional facial lines and wrinkles.
Anesthesia
No anesthesia is required but your doctor will add numbing cream to the targeted location.
Risks / Complications / Side effects
Some people may suffer from side-effects, but they are nothing too serious and don’t last long
The most common side effects of Botox include:
• Drooping of the upper eyelid muscles or muscle weakness
• Headache
• Flu-like symptoms
• Red dots
• Nausea
• Localized pain
• Tenderness
• Infection
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Inflammation
• Bleeding
• Reduced blinking, which can lead to increased likelihood of corneal abrasion
• Rarer complications or adverse reactions have included cardiac complications, anaphylaxis and other serious (including fatal) reactions; an allergic reaction to BOTOX® Cosmetic; and no improvement after undergoing treatment ; Flu like symptoms.
However, each of these side effects is short term, lasting only a few weeks at the most. Discontinuing Botox? Cosmetic treatments will reverse any side effect that may occur from the treatment.
After your surgery
There may be some unsightly swelling, bleeding, bruising or redness at the injection site, which usually lasts only a few hours, but can persist as long as 24-48 hours in highly sensitive patients. Since the treatment doesn't actually last very long, you may have to opt for repeated trips to the doctor every few months.
Post operative care
It is recommended that you do not lie down for several hours after the procedure, and that you refrain from massaging the treated area or participating in particularly strenuous activities for 24 hours
Price range
USD 190-200