Wanting to turn back the time on our skin is nothing new to human nature, but with the invention of Botox came the ability to do just that without surgery of any kind. Botox has only been used for cosmetic treatments in the U.S. for 17 years. It was approved for this purpose by the FDA in 2002, but it has become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures ever, with billions being spent on the treatment every year. The treatment works by injecting botulinum toxins, which eliminates wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing muscles in the face. It sounds scary, but if done correctly there are often little to no side effects. Here are some things you need to know if you are considering Botox for yourself.
Botox is just another word for botulinum toxin, which is a protein. It works by blocking messages sent between the nerves and the muscles, which stops the muscles from contracting. Because the muscles can’t contract, wrinkles relax and soften, giving the appearance of younger-looking skin.
Botox lasts between three and four months on average. The good thing about Botox is that your body will break it down over time, which means that you won’t be continually building up botulinum toxin in your body if you do Botox treatment multiple times. Always be sure that you are having your Botox administered by a licensed medical professional.
The side effects of Botox are usually very minimal if there are any at all, but who you get the injections from makes all the difference. An overdose in Botox can cause dropped eyelids, heavy eyelids, or frozen or heavy feelings in the face. It is always best to start with a small amount and then gradually increase from there.
Luckily, any side effects caused by Botox are temporary since your body breaks it down over time, but it’s still important to know what minor things could go wrong so you can prevent it. Botox is mildly painful, but those who have had the procedure say the treatment is very quick. Some describe it as a sting.
If you’re thinking about Botox as a preventative measure, you should know that Botox has yet to be proven effective at preventing wrinkles from happening at all. Preventative Botox is often performed on young people who believe that getting Botox before wrinkles appear will help to prevent wrinkles in the future. There is no proof that this actually works, and many doctors are skeptical of the procedure because even if you get Botox in certain areas, your face will still need to move, which will cause wrinkles in other areas. Because of this, most doctors recommend you just get the procedure done as needed.
Getting Botox is a serious medical procedure. Careful consideration and research should be done before getting the treatment. Because it is so common, many people will just jump into the treatment without doing their due diligence, but if you want the best results, you need to do your research. Be sure to consult a licensed medical professional before getting Botox treatment of any kind to ensure your safety.
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