As one of the most popular facial procedures in the market, Botox has earned mixed criticisms. People who are considering it try to get the best out of testimonies. But the truth is, a successful botox injection would be possible if your doctor of choice is experienced in the field. Out of all the beauty blogs about Botox, not all discuss how the treatment works, and not all provide honest reviews about it. So to guide you in your botox journey, here is everything you need to know and consider.
Botox is not harmful at all, and continuing your reading here will not harm you too.
Botox is a protein made from Botulinum toxin, paralyzing and weakening the muscles. Professionals use this in both medical and cosmetic fields. The cosmetic area can reduce skin issues such as facial wrinkles. In the medical field, it treats particular muscle conditions. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also approves botox in different health issues such as excessive sweating, migraine, bladder disorders, and eyelid spasms.
Botulinum is a bacteria present in several natural things we see every day, like forests, lakes, soil, and even the intestinal tracts of fishes and mammals.
Since we mention words like “toxin” and “bacteria,” which generally means a harmful substance that can cause death to live things, the bacteria and spores that botox extract is safe. However, conflicts may arise when the cell population increases and spore transformation. Because of this, the bacteria start to produce Botulinum toxin, which is the deadly neurotoxin responsible for botulism.
The Botulinum toxin is tremendously dangerous. According to sources, some scientists say that 1 gram of the crystallized toxin could kill 1 million people, and a few kilograms could wipe out the whole planet. Insane, right? However, when the substance is in the hands of professionals, and they use it properly, it is safe but has side effects.
The commercially released botox products include prabotulinumtoxin A (Jeuveau), abobotulinumtoxin A (Dysport), incobotulinumtoxin A (Xeomin), rimabotulinumtoxin B (Myobloc), and botulinum toxin A (Botox).
Before considering botox, this is everything you should prepare for:
Before: Before the procedure, your chosen doctor will get your medical assessment and history and conduct further examinations to help you decide what type of botox product is most suitable for you, depending on your goals and needs.
During: Once you are ready to take the risk and improve your condition, you will go to your doctor’s clinic because they will conduct the procedure here. Your doctor will numb the areas you want to treat using topical anesthesia, reducing your discomfort. After that, they will use a thin needle to inject small amounts of botulinum toxin into your skin or muscles. The number of injections will solely depend on the type of treatment you want to achieve.
After: After the process, it would be excellent to avoid rubbing the treated areas for 24 hours because this will prevent the toxin from spreading on the injected sites. However, you can return to your regular activities as there is not much downtime for it. You can also see results 24-72 hours after the procedure. It can take five days for the toxin to take effect in some cases. The consequences could last 3-12 months, depending on the treatment you will get.
Since botox is a neurotoxin, it targets the nervous system, shattering the nerve signaling processes that vivify muscle contraction. This process is how the drug causes temporary muscle paralysis.
For any muscle to contract, the nerves produce acetylcholine, a chemical messenger at the hinge where nerve endings meet the muscle cells. The acetylcholine links to receptors on the muscle cells and causes the cells to shorten or contract.
Because of botox injections, the release of acetylcholine is prevented, which stops the muscle cells from contracting and shortening. As a result, the toxin helps the muscles to become less rigid.
Botox is popularly known as a facial procedure. According to research, in 2016, over 7 million people chose botox treatments. It is undeniable because botox can do several kinds of magic.
In the cosmetic field, botox injections are perfect for treating skin conditions such as wrinkles around the eyes, known as crow’s feet, “cobblestone” skin on the chin, called glabellar lines, fine lines, or elevens, horizontal creases in the forehead, lines at the corners of the mouth.
In the medical field, botox can also be a treatment for several illnesses. Remember that this is FDA approved and is suitable for 18 years of age (unless otherwise specified). These illnesses include eyelid spasms due to dystonia, upper limb spasticity, in anyone older than two years, a neurological movement disorder called cervical dystonia that affects the head and causes neck pain, crossed eyes in those more aged than 12 years, severe underarm sweating, and more. Some people also use botox for psoriasis, anismus, vulvodynia, alopecia, etc. However, these are not approved by the FDA or haven’t had any studies that prove botox is efficient in these cases.
Commonly, side effects will not manifest because most patients tolerate these side effects well. However, you still have to watch out because the severity of side effects will depend on how your body responds.
The unwanted side effects include an upset stomach, a headache, numbness, temporary eyelid drooping, dry eye following cosmetic uses, urinary problems after treatment for urinary incontinence, cardiovascular events, such as arrhythmia and myocardial infarction, spatial disorientation, or double vision after therapy for strabismus, mild pain, swelling, or bruising around the injection site, cardiovascular events, such as arrhythmia and myocardial infarction, a worsening of neuromuscular disorders, and corneal ulceration after treatment for blepharitis.
Remember that the side effects may worsen to the extent of trouble breathing because genetics and type of treatment may also affect.
You can use botox if you are 18 years old and above unless you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have allergy or sensitivity to the injection and have an infection on the sites to be injected. Generally, if you want to know the perfect period to do the treatment, it would be best if you consult a healthcare professional and ask for guidance.
The only thing left unanswered is where you can get a botox service? In Bella Vida Laser and Aesthetics, you can always find a trustworthy doctor to cater to your needs and to offer you better options.
If you want to belong to those 7 million and more people who joined the botox craze, contact the best aesthetic clinic near you because you deserve quality service for your health!
