Considering Botox?

By Alina H. Winamaker


Botox, under prescription, can be used to smooth away the frown lines between the eyebrows, and other facial wrinkles, that men and women get in middle age. Smoothing out lines is what it is most often used for. When people feel the lines on their forehead make them look tired or even angry, they choose this type of cosmetic improvement.

Avoid this treatment if you are allergic to any of the ingredients of Botox. If there is an infection in the skin surrounding the area being injected, common sense dictates that you shouldn't go ahead. You also should inform your physician before a treatment if you have any issues that affect your breathing such as asthma.

How does it work?

Wrinkles in the skin are usually formed right next to a muscle that will be close to it, normally beneath it. When Botox is injected into those muscles then it restricts impulses made by the nerves getting to the tissue that is causing the wrinkle. So, limited or no muscle movement means that the skin supported by the muscle stops being creased by constant expression contractions. Lines and wrinkles stop forming when muscle contractions are inhibited. The person gets a more youthful look as a result, when frown lines and other wrinkles are reduced.

Botox injections is a non-invasive procedure that is often used for wrinkles, and it takes less than 30 minutes. The practitioner injects a small amount of Botox into the site to be treated. As the Botox starts working, it blocks the nerve signals to the muscles under the skin. The muscle therefore relaxes and the skin is smoothed, causing facial lines to diminish.

The Botox Injection Treatment may leave the skin a bit red and sore, but this is usually very minor and will reduce after a few days. A patient can usually return to work the same day, right after leaving the clinic. The treatment usually starts to work within 3 days, but it may take up to a week to maximize the full effect.

After the Treatment

Try to exercise your treated muscles for one to two hours following your procedure. You should practice raising your eyebrows, squinting, and frowning. This will work the Botox into your muscles. While this can help, it won't impact your results negatively if you forget or don't have the time to do it.

Do not do yoga, heavy lifting or any type of strenuous exercise for four hours after the treatment, and take care to not rub or massage those areas that have been treated. Also, don't take Advil, vitamin D, or Tylenol after the procedure.

And don't be concerned if you see some tiny bumps or marks on your face after the procedure. They will disappear in a few hours.

If you choose to have a Botox treatment, be sure your practitioner is specifically trained in this procedure. This type of treatment is a medical procedure, and should be seen in this way.




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