What Is Botox?

Botox is short for botulinum toxin a neurotoxin produced by a bacterium called Clostridium Botulinum. It has been used for nearly two decades and has several medical applications. Most commonly, botox is used to reduce facial lines and wrinkles. In fact, botox is the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure, with more than six million treatments administered each year. Known as a “lunchtime” procedure, the process is simple, non-surgical, and requires no recovery time.

The Botox Procedure

The most common target areas for the administration of botox are the areas around the eyes “crow’s feet” near the outer eyelids and between the eyebrows. The lines and wrinkles that appear in these areas are erased and softened to give the face a younger, more relaxed appearance. The procedure takes about ten minutes, during which the patient will experience minor discomfort. While no anesthetic is required, the patient may choose to have the area numbed with a cold pack or anesthetic cream upon request.

The Results

It normally takes a few days for results from the botox procedure to appear. Often, patients will continue to see improvements over the course of the first week. In some cases, it may take up to a week for the full effects of the treatment to become apparent. Because of this timeline, it’s a good idea to schedule a follow-up visit with your physician about two weeks after the procedure. This gives the physician an opportunity to evaluate the results and, if you aren’t completely satisfied, schedule a “touch-up” injection.

Botox is not a cure for facial lines or wrinkles the effects will eventually wear off.  The results of most treatments last about four months, at which time the patient may choose to schedule a follow-up treatment to repeat the process.

Recovery from a Botox Procedure

The botox procedure requires no downtime. Patients commonly go straight back to work after the treatment has been administered. You shouldn’t rub the treated area for the rest of the day, however, and you should avoid blood thinning medications such as Aleve, Motrin, or Advil — these can increase the chances of bruising.

Other Uses for Botox

Botox can be used for other medical issues, as well. Though not as common or well-known, botox treatments can also be used to help patients suffering from:

• Spasms (eyelids, neck and shoulder, upper limb, hemifacial)
• Chronic migraine
• Excessive sweating
• Strabismus (crossed eyes)
• Urinary incontinence
• Overactive bladder

The botox procedure is a quick, easy treatment that can be taken care of during your lunch break. It has been used for nearly two decades, and has become the most popular cosmetic procedure in the U.S. Contact Trueskin Dermatology in Sandy to find out if botox is right for you.