The medical procedure – The risks for the patient and the surgeon
Understanding what is Botox Injections can be summarized as such – It is a natural purified protein produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinim. It is used in the medicine for over 50 years. Its initial uses were for lazy eye (strabismus), blepharospasm (inability to move the eyelids in certain ways), and wry neck (cervical dystonia). In 2002, Botox was approved for improving and relaxing frown lines in the area (the grabella) between the eyes on the forehead and it has shown great results in more than over 11 million patients. In 2004, Botox, was approved for hyperhidrosis, and in 2010, Botox was approved in the treatment of migraines. As you can see in the beginning the Botox injection was only used in neurology and pediatrics, but in the last couple of years it is most used in cosmetology.
Botox Injection Videos
Botox injection at a day spa
Videos on this site are for
demonstration purposes only. Please do not attempt any
of the procedures seen in these videos without formal
medical education & licensing.
How does Botox work?
Carefully and accurately applied in very small quantities Botox is blocking the functions of some particular muscles that are making the entire mimic on the face. It usually takes two to four days to see cosmetic improvement and the effects tend to last from four to six months. Most of the patients want to remove their wrinkles and lines as they begin to reappear, but choosing that option you have to know that there is a chance you will get an unpleasant effect. After each injection the wrinkles return as less severe as the muscles are trained to relax.
What Is Botox Injection? – The Medical Procedure
Botox procedures does not require anesthesia and they usually take just a few minutes to perform. This protein is going to be injected into the muscle by using a fine needle in order to minimize the discomfort and the maximize accuracy. It is recommended for all patients to avoid alcohol for about a week before the procedure. In order to minimize the bruising it is recommended for all patients to stop using aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications about two weeks before treatment. You will be surprised when you read that for some cosmetic procedures men need a higher dose of Botox than women.
The risks for the patients
There are no risks for the patients; Botox injections are relatively safe when they are performed by an experienced doctor. Most common side effects are swelling or bruising at the injection site; the medication may spread into adjacent tissues and cause problems such as:
- Eyelid droop
- Cockeyed eyebrows
- Crooked smile
- Dry eye or excessive tearing
There is a possibility that the effect of botulinim toxin may spread to the other parts of the body and cause botulism-like signs and symptoms. Call your doctor if you notice any signs like:
- Muscle weakness all over your body
- Vision problems
- Problem with speaking or swallowing
- Breathing problems
- No bladder control
Botox injection is no recommended for pregnant women or when they are breastfeeding. The side effects on the baby are still not known. You must select your doctor carefully because Botox must be used under a doctor’s care. A skilled, certified and experienced doctor can advise you on the procedure and can help determine if Botox suits your needs and health.
What is better, Botox Injection or Face-Lift?
Everything depends on the age of the patient. People in their 30s who have limited exposure to sunlight usually show signs of aging in their eyes and temple area first. As they have not lost much volume at this point, Botox is a perfect solution that can smooth out the lines that people want to get rid of.
Unlike the people in their 30s, when people enter their 40s the middle of the face starts to shift as the cheeks lose some of their fat and laugh lines set in. At the end of the 4th decade the cheeks become deflated and the jowls start to sag. For these situations it is recommended a combination of Botox as well as minimal lifting procedure. This can be a perfect solution for most women in their 40s.
What is Wrinklerexia?
This is a warning for those that might get obsessed with their wrinkle-free image. Most of the doctors all over our country have reported that some of theirs patients “binge” on Botox to the point where their faces look frozen. They use the term “Wrinklerexia” when some Botox devotees become obsessed with their wrinkle-free image and they start to see lines where there are none and binge Botox to obtain a freeze-frame face.
