Botulinum Toxin Injections

Botulinum Toxin Injections are move commonly known as Botox. There are several different manufacturers of Botulinum Toxins but all injections are known as Botox injections and perform the same function. The purpose of Botox is to reduce wrinkles that come with aging. Wrinkles arise due to a variety of factors that include gravity, rays from the sun, and deteriorating muscles. All of these factors increase with time and for this reason almost all humans over the age of 40 experience some form of wrinkles on their skin. These wrinkles can also appear as frown lines and forehead lines and can be treated with Botulinum Toxin.

The main science behind Botox is that it acts as a blocker to acetylcholine, a chemical in the human body that causes muscles to contract unwillingly. Botox injections essentially act as a temporary muscle paralyzer. This state of paralysis weakens the muscles around the eyes that are overactive. Eventually the muscle will regain its mobility and new nerves will grow in place of the old ones. Botox treatments generally will need to be applied every few months in order to paralyze the revitalized and energized muscles.

Botox procedures are very noninvasive and the main instrument the physician uses is a needle. The botulinum toxin is injected right into the wrinkle-causing muscles using a tiny needle. Every area that is injected will need to be injected several times. Each area of the face or body requires more or less amounts of Botox because of the varying size of the muscles. Botox is often applied in the armpit region to prevent abnormal sweating. Because the procedure is noninvasive, patients are able to resume all normal, physical activities following the injections. Immediate discomfort may include bruises and small amounts of swelling. The procedure does not require sedation or anesthesia of any form.

Within 1 to 3 days the Botox will begin to show results. Patients can expect to see full results within the first 2 weeks following injections. Effects begin to wear off after 12 to 16 weeks and in some cases can last for up to a year. When you begin to notice that the effects of the injections are wearing off you can request for additional treatments in order to retain the loss of wrinkles. Botox is limited to reducing wrinkles that are caused due to the muscle contractions previously discussed. Wrinkles due to sun damage and other lines that are the result of sagging skin are not treated as effectively with small amounts of injections and may require additional treatments. Excessive Botox injections can result in the body resisting the medication due to antibodies that are formed within the muscles.

There are little to no risks associated with Botulinum toxin injections and rarely have complications been reported. Occasionally the patient will have a difficult time manipulating facial muscles because of excess paralysis. Eyelids may begin to droop slightly but this condition can be treated with eye drops. These problems will disappear as the effects of the injections begin to wear off.