Botox is an FDA-approved toxin, a protein secreted by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum toxin. Once injected under the skin, Botox releases a chemical that tightens the skin and muscles at the injection site.
Botox injections are one of the most common cosmetic procedures. Botox injections can serve many purposes, but its most well-known purpose is to remove sagging skin, lines and wrinkles caused by aging. Botox works to relax the stiff facial muscles that cause facial wrinkles, especially around the eyes, mouth and nose. Some of these areas are also called frown lines and crow’s feet.
Although Botox is mostly known for reducing wrinkles, it is also used for other purposes, for example:
Retouching the shape of the nose: Botox can be injected into the tip of the nose to give the desired upturned shape.
Treatment of headaches and neck pain:
Although Botox is a cosmetic procedure, getting Botox can treat chronic migraines, regular headaches and associated neck pain.
Treatment of excessive sweating:
Botox weakens the muscles at the injection site and these weakened muscles lead to reduced sweating. To treat excessive sweating, Botox can be applied to various parts of the body such as the armpits, palms, feet and face.
Eye twitching treatment: Botox can treat persistent eye twitching by numbing the surrounding nerves.
Treatment of muscle contractions: In some cases, muscle contractions can be treated by numbing with Botox application. However, for this treatment, you need to undergo some examinations and get your doctor’s approval.
CANDIDATES FOR BOTOX INJECTION PROCEDURE
The procedures of the Botox procedure are the same as all other surgical and non-surgical operations. A person must meet certain conditions in order to get satisfactory results from this procedure.
Possible candidates for Botox treatments should be as follows:
- People with mild facial wrinkles and sagging.
- People suffering from certain facial conditions such as sleepy eyes, fluttering eyelids, droopy eyelids or other conditions that Botox injections can treat.
- People who experience facial wrinkles and aging effects and want to have a fresher and younger face.
- People with facial fat imbalances due to excessive weight loss causing improper fat distribution.
- The person must be between the ages of 18 and 65.
Although most people think that Botox injections are more suitable for relatively older people, it is actually recommended to start Botox injections around the age of 25 if you want a bright and wrinkle-free appearance even in your 50s.
While the Botox injection procedure is known to be completely safe, there are some cases where Botox injections are prohibited, such as pregnant or breastfeeding women or if the patient is allergic to the Botulinum Toxin contained in Botox.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Although Botox is an extremely safe and simple cosmetic treatment, it can cause health problems or allergic reactions if performed in an unqualified clinic or by an inexperienced doctor.
These effects are as follows:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis)
- Eye problems such as dryness or excessive tearing
- Loss of bladder control
- Double vision or blurred vision
To avoid all these side effects, make sure you choose an accredited and certified clinic and inform your doctor about your medical history. If you experience any of these abnormalities, you should contact your doctor immediately.
RECOMMENDATIONS BEFORE BOTOX INJECTION
Before the Botox injection procedure, the doctor will examine the patient to make sure that they are in good general health. The doctor will also review the patient’s medical history and make sure that they are suitable for the procedure. Finally, the doctor will identify the areas where the injection will take place.
Beforehand, however, there are some instructions that the patient must follow, such as
Avoid taking diluting medications such as ibuprofen and any anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce any bruising during the procedure.
STAGES OF BOTOX INJECTION PROCEDURE
Botox injection procedure is done in several stages;
- The patient undergoes local anesthesia by applying cream, spraying or injecting local anesthesia under the skin in the areas to be injected.
- The doctor uses an undetermined number of Botox injections according to the patient’s condition and the method to be used to remove wrinkles and sagging.
- The doctor injects Botox with a pre-prepared syringe into the areas determined before the procedure.
- Botox is injected into the facial muscles repeatedly and quickly to get instant results.
- Botox usually takes effect within three days depending on the area to be treated. If you wish, you can go to your doctor for a follow-up about a week later.
RECOMMENDATIONS AFTER BOTOX INJECTION
The Botox injection procedure is a simple, in-office procedure that takes a maximum of 30 minutes.
However, after the procedure, the patient needs to lie down for at least two to three hours until the Botox used is completely stable.
The doctor will also give the patient some tips and instructions for satisfactory and impressive results. Some of these tips are the following:
Avoid rubbing the injected areas during the procedure for at least 12 hours after the operation.
Avoid massaging the injected area for 24 hours.
Lie down for at least two to three hours after the operation to prevent leakage of the Botox used in the procedure.
The Botox injection procedure has a very fast recovery process where the patient can return to their daily activities in as little as a week.
The duration of Botox injections varies from person to person, but varies between 3 and 6 months. If you want to maintain the effect of Botox, you need to have it done again after 4-5 months or retouching. You can always repeat Botox injections for a young and wrinkle-free face.