Is Botox A Safe Treatment For Wrinkles?
Individuals considering Botox treatment often have a lot of questions about the process. What exactly is Botox? Does it work on deeper wrinkles? Is it safe for long-term use? Will my face look worse than it does now if I start Botox treatments and then stop?
What Is Botox?
All of these are excellent questions, and we’re here to provide the answers. Let’s start with what Botox is. Botox uses botulinum toxin injections to temporarily paralyze facial muscles by blocking the brain signals that cause them to contract. The contraction of facial muscles is the cause of wrinkles and forehead furrows, so blocking them is an effective method of mitigating their appearance.
Botulinum toxin is produced by the bacteria that causes botulism, a specific type of food poisoning. There’s no need to worry about catching the disease though, as the injections never contain the bacteria itself.
In fact, paralyzing facial tissues provides a myriad of benefits. For cosmetic purposes, it results in a dramatic reduction in the appearance of wrinkles, especially in patients age 65 or younger. It also has several medicinal purposes, including treating repetitive neck spasms, lazy eye, overactive bladder, and excessive sweating. They can also help individual individuals dealing with chronic migraines.
What Are The Treatments Like?
Safe Botox injections must be carried out by a trained, licensed medical professional. They will prepare a thin needle containing a tiny amount of botulinum toxin for each injection required. The number of needed injections varies based on a variety of factors, including how large of an area is getting treated.
The effects of each treatment last for three months or maybe a little longer, but are not permanent. Regular booster injections are required to maintain the effects of the treatment.
Are Treatments Suitable For Any Age?
Wrinkles tend to become thicker as we age, so many patients wonder if Botox becomes less efficient as they grow older. The truth is that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves Botox treatments with patients 65 years old or younger in mind. Patients older than this may not experience the same results as a younger demographic, but the treatments usually still provide some benefit. This is especially true if the injections are combined with facial fillers to help soften the wrinkles.
Is It Safe?
Yes, Botox is safe for all patients. Research on the subject reveals no short- or long-term health risks associated with these treatments. Medicinal injections for the ailments listed above involve higher dosages of the toxin that is used for cosmetic purposes, further verifying the safety of cosmetic treatments.
That said, some individuals experience side effects when they begin treatment. Pain in the treated area(s), bruising of the injection location(s), headache, eye dryness, excessive tearing, and flu-like symptoms are the most commonly reported.
The best way to avoid these side effects is to ensure that the medical professional performing them understands what they are doing. Plastic surgeons, eye plastic surgeons, board-certified dermatologists, or otolaryngologists who have personally examined you are the best option to administer the injections. In the unlikely event you still experience adverse side effects, these professionals will also be able to provide valuable advice on how to manage your symptoms.
What Happens If I Stop?
Stopping Botox after a few years will not make your face look worse than it did initially, but you will revert to the way you looked before starting treatments. Your forehead muscles will also regain their strength and range of motion after stopping treatments.
Hopefully, the information above answered all of your questions concerning cosmetic Botox treatments. If not, feel free to contact us for additional information!
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