subject: Keep Facial Wrinkles At Bay With Botox Injections [print this page] BOTOX injections use a toxin to cause controlled weakening of the facial muscles for improved appearance and reduced lines and wrinkles. Although large quantities of this toxin cause botulism (associated with food poisoning), small, diluted amounts of BOTOX Cosmetic can treat multiple health conditions and signs of aging. Approved by the FDA in the 1980s for treating lazy eye and uncontrolled blinking, BOTOX injections into the skin are used to treat wrinkles, facial creases, and frown lines between the eyebrows.
BOTOX injections work by blocking signals from the nerves to the muscles. This causes the wrinkles to relax and soften because the muscles under the skin can no longer contract. BOTOX Cosmetic, which is most often used to treat the signs of aging, can be used on most facial lines, including forehead lines, crows feet around the eye, and frown lines. It cannot be used to treat wrinkles caused by sun exposure or gravity.
BOTOX injections take just a few minutes and require no anesthesia. A fine needle is used to inject the solution into specific muscles in a relatively painless procedure. Side effects include bruising and, rarely, headaches. Although BOTOX injections are a simple procedure, they do have some risks, including numbness or tingling, an allergic reaction, or flu-like symptoms. Choosing a qualified dermatologist to perform your BOTOX injections can greatly reduce your risks of side effects or complications. Do not rub the treated area for 12 hours or lay down for three to four hours, or the BOTOX injection could migrate, causing drooping eyelids.
BOTOX injections are often used as an easier alternative to more invasive procedures like facelifts and brow lifts, or to enhance their results. The entire procedure can be done in the doctors office, and BOTOX injections are often referred to as a lunchtime procedure because they can be done in an hour or less, and you can resume most normal activities immediately. Within three to seven days, youll see the full results of the injection. The results of BOTOX injections last about four to six months. The muscles slowly regain their ability to contract, and the wrinkles begin to re-appear.
