What Patients Should Know About Cosmetic Botox Treatment

Posted on: 11 November 2019

Cosmetic Botox is an option that many people choose to deal with concerns about their skin. Patients often have questions about the cosmetic Botox treatment process. Let's examine 5 things that people should think about before they elect to do Botox.

How Involved Is It? 

Procedures involving Botox are almost always performed on an outpatient basis. In fact, many practices have been established where folks can schedule appointments at clinics. Each injection takes a couple of minutes at most, and doctors often can get patients in and out in less than a half-hour. Be aware, though, that injections may take between 3 and 7 days to take full effect.

What Does Cosmetic Botox Treat?

Botox is intended in cosmetic settings to treat issues with lines on the forehead, face, neck, and lips. Wrinkles developed due to sun damage can't be treated with Botox, and some gravity-driven wrinkles also respond poorly to Botox.

How Does It Work?

A toxin secreted by a species of bacteria called Clostridium botulinum is used to create a mild paralytic effect. This is done by blocking signals that go from nerves in the face to certain muscles, preventing the muscles from contracting. For this reason, cosmetic Botox treatment is often most effective in dealing with lines around the eyes, lips, and brows because those are frequently driven by muscle movement. Anesthesia is not required.

Preparing for the Procedure

It's a good idea to prepare a small kit that will last you a week after your treatment. Swelling sometimes occurs in the injection sites, and it's a good idea to keep aspirin or a similar NSAID nearby to reduce inflammation and bruising. Patients are also encouraged to stay away from alcohol because the blood-thinning qualities of alcohol can encourage bruising.

Most side-effects subside within 24 to 48 hours of treatment. Headaches are known to happen, though rarely. Bruising is the most likely side-effect, but eyelid drooping can occur for about 12 hours after a shot. Patients are strongly encouraged to avoid touching or rubbing the injection sites because this can cause Botox to move away from the target site.

Effectiveness

Botox treatment is not a permanent solution. You can expect benefits to be visible for between three and four months. While not substantiated by rigorous scientific studies, there is some clinical evidence that supplements of phytase and zinc, sometimes marketed as Zytase, may sustain Botox results longer.

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