What is Botox, what is it made from?
Botox is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. It is a non-surgical, treatment that can temporarily reduce lines caused by overexpresion of certain muscles such as frown lines between the brows and crows feet. It is used in people between the ages of 18 to 65. During the treatment, very small amounts of Botulim Toxins are administered using a very tiny needle directly into the muscles that cause the expression lines. Depending upon the number of areas that need treating and the experience of the Botulim Toxin practitioner, treatments take about 10 - 20 minutes and are usually painless. No recovery time is needed and you should begin to see an improvement within 3-4 days and the results usually last up to 4 months.
How does Botox work?
Frown lines between your brows and crows feet form over time as the result of muscle activity and so the theory behind treatment is to reduce this muscle activity. Botulim Toxin is injected directly into the muscles between your brows and it works by blocking the signals from nerves into the injected mucsles therefore reducing the activity of the muscles (temporary paralyisis) that cause those lines to form.
When will I see results from my Botox treatment?
Within two to three days, you may see a marked improvement in frown lines between your brows, however the lines continue to improve for up to a month and your skin appears smoother. The results from Botulim Toxin last for up to 4 months and so regular visits to have the treatment are required to maintan a wrinkle free look. In clinical trials, nearly 90% of men and women rated the improvement in their appearance as moderate to better one month after treatment. What side effects could I experience with Botox? The most common side effects after botox injections include temporary eyelid drooping and nausea. Localized pain, infection, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, redness, and/or bleeding/bruising may also be associated with the injection.
Will my facial expressions look natural after treatment?
Although the effects and results are visible after about 3 days, treatment with Botulim Toxin will not dramtically change your facial appearance or make you look totally expressionless The muscle activity that causes the forehead frown lines is simply reduced, so you should can still be able to frown or look surprised without the wrinkles and creases between your brows.
How long has Botox been in use?
As long ago as 1978, Botox was used as a treatment for patients with eye squints by weakening the overactive eye muscle. Since then it has been used in a variety of therapeutic areas such as spasmodic neck, writer’s cramp, tics, multiple sclerosis, facial spasms, Parkinson’s Disease, cerebral palsy and vaginismus to name but a few.