When you hear the word Botox, do you think of wrinkles, crows feet, or frown lines? If so, then you are not alone as more than 7 million Americans received Botox injections for cosmetic needs. Doctors also prescribe Botox medically because of its ability to restrict muscle movement.
Makers of Botox use a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum which is harvested from natural environmental resources like lakes and forests. Since the bacterias spore count is low in this setting, they are harmless to humans. Clostridium botulinum, in more substantial amounts, produces a neurotoxin called botulinum. It is only when the bacteria produces botulinum that it becomes problematic which is why it is necessary to receive injections from trained experts.
How Does Botox Work?
Botox injections prevent muscle movement by blocking the nerve signal from the muscle to the brain. The injections are administered by inserting a small needle into the muscle and injecting the nerve signal generator (botulinum toxin) which causes a paralyzing of the muscle. The movement of the affected area of the body is restricted by small clips so that affected area will not move or frown.
What Are The Side Effects?
While the drug has a very small chance of causing the muscle to relax, it has been linked to permanent frown lines, creases, wrinkles, drooping of the eyebrow, crow’s feet and increased wrinkling of the eyelids. The rest of the applied area is unaffected and generally does not receive any treatment. There is also a rare chance that there is an allergic reaction which produces a rash similar to the flu. The rash disappears within 24 hours. The rash, in severe cases is a raised patch of skin that may need medication to resolve. To make sure you are not a candidate for this reaction, please do not take this medicine within 4 days before or after getting Botox.
When To Seek Medical Advice
Before Botox injections, seek medical advice from your doctor.
There is also a great deal of information available about the side effects of Botox treatments. You may find it helpful to use search engines to find the most popular, and also the most reliable, information sources available.
When To Ask Your Doctor For Trial Or Side Effects information?
At the end of the consultation, you are strongly encouraged to take part in a Trial Information Session and ask your doctor any questions you may have about the procedure. Ask your doctor about any medical conditions, dietary restrictions, smoking history or treatments you may be taking.
When To Consider Your Other Options?
When considering your other options, bear in mind that Botox, which is a medication administered by injection, may have very limited clinical applications.
When you consult your doctor before treatment, make sure you provide them with as much information as possible, including the results and reasons why you are making the treatment, especially if you are considering getting the treatment for cosmetic reasons.
You are strongly encouraged to follow your doctor’s treatment instructions strictly, to avoid any side effects or other problems.
Your doctor is likely to advise careful skin care, and to prescribe medications to deal with any potential side effects.
If after a few days you do experience a slight inconvenience or discomfort, bear in mind that you are under medical care and that it could be irritating for a patient, so be polite and patient. Remember that you are a patient and expect special treatment.
Your doctor is likely to explain the procedure, the expected results and give you treatment instructions.
Any more questions? Ask them! This is your doctor and they want you to fully understand the procedure.
If you really want to know more, ask your doctor to explain the procedure to another patient. This will help you understand the procedure from the point of view of someone who has had the procedure done and is satisfied.
When you are satisfied with your doctor, with your treatment and with the explanation, ask to have the treatment to remove your filler re-done at the same time. This may be re-done once every four months or once every two years. When this is done, you will not need to worry about injections again until your hair growth returns to normal.
Reconstructive procedures are sometimes done in combination with other procedures as well as laser and other technologies. These combined procedures can help in maintaining a better and healthier looking complexion.
Follow your doctor’s treatment instructions and ask questions if you need to. However, please understand that there will be risks. Please understand that the results are temporary. Please understand that the treatments are quite expensive.
You may be able to buy products that reduce your need for injections. You may be able to arrange for the treatments to be re-done at regular intervals. If this is not possible, please be informed that it is likely that you will have the scarring from two injections in the same area. That is what results from doing the treatment. It is very painful. It is quite expensive. And it is likely to be sore for the rest of your life.
For more information on botox and fillers, we recommend visiting: Belle Ame Med Spa and CoolSculpting Center
