Botox is a revolutionary injection that treats a wide range of conditions and illnesses. The injection contains botulinum toxin.
Botulinum toxins are neurotoxins. These neurotoxins affect the nerves and are often the main cause of muscle weakening. Medical reasons aside, Botox is used for cosmetic purposes as well.
Although botulinum toxins cause botulism, a type of food poisoning, healthcare providers use a purified form for cosmetic purposes. This purified form meets all modern medical standards.
What is Botox Used For?
One of the major benefits of Botox treatment for face is that it corrects several conditions related to ageing. Botox injections are primarily used in the following parts:
Forehead
Botox injections on a person’s forehead help smooth vertical wrinkles and horizontal lines in the area between the eyes. Botox helps relax the muscles that cause wrinkles. On average, 10 to 30 units are injected into the forehead.
Eyebrows
Botox is used on the eyebrows to perform an eyebrow lift. It helps relax the muscles that are pulling the eyebrows up, resulting in a more natural, refreshing look. Generally, a brow lift involves 4 to 8 units of Botox.
Nose
Botox is often injected into an individual’s nose to enhance its appearance or correct a crooked nose. The treatment involves injecting Botox into the depressor septi nasi muscle, a muscle that is supposed to be the anchor of the nose. An individual generally needs 2 to 4 units of Botox to be used on the nose.
Eyes
You may notice fine lines on the outer corner of a person’s eyes. These are called lateral canthal lines, but they are more commonly known as crow’s eyes or laugh lines. They are formed as a result of tiny muscles contracting when a person goes through different emotions.
Initially, they’re only visible when you smile or squint. But with age, they become more common and start to appear even when the muscles are at rest.
In addition to age, the following factors also contribute to fine lines:
- Sun exposure
- Diet
- Genetics
Botox injections correct crow’s eyes by blocking muscle contractions. Allergan recommends 24 units of Botox to completely treat crow’s eyes.
Lips
Botox injections can help people attain fuller, more attractive lips. Additionally, Botox injections can
- Reduce creases in the upper and lower lip areas
- Enhance the corners of a person’s mouth
- Eliminate lines that go down from the corners of a person’s mouth (also known as marionette lines)
- Correct a condition where an individual shows off their gums when they smile (also known as a gummy smile)
- Improve the appearance of the upper lip
In addition to these conditions, Botox can also reduce or temporarily clear wrinkles on the lip area. Wrinkles on the lip area happen due to a range of reasons, including:
- Ageing
- Smiling
- Laughing
- Smoking
- Frowning
- Kissing
The units required to correct these conditions will vary depending on their type.
Chin
With age, a person may experience dimples or wrinkles. Although this is natural, some may feel self-conscious about it. Some people even feel much older than they are due to these dimples. Botox is an effective treatment for such conditions.
A Botox injection alters this condition by holding the muscle tissue in place. The effect lasts anywhere between 3 and 6 months and doesn’t cause any damage. You’ll be able to see the effects of Botox after 7 to 10 days.
Jawline
A person’s jaw has lots of muscles. The masseter muscle is one among them that helps with chewing. This muscle can be found on the side of the face and connects the cheekbone to the lower jawbone.
Botox is often injected into the masseter to alter the shape of a person’s jaw. It helps reduce the size of the masseter. This leads to a thinner jawline that resembles a V shape.
The dosage of Botox depends on your surgeon’s recommendation. You should start seeing the effects of the injections on your jawline in about 3 days. The results usually last around 3 to 4 months.
Besides altering the shape of the jawline, Botox also has various other benefits.
- Reduces tooth grinding or bruxism
- Provides relief for the symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
- Relives headaches
Neck
Wrinkles are one of the signs of ageing that impact a person’s appearance. These wrinkles give away a person’s age in addition to making them self-conscious. Wrinkles are caused by the looseness of the platysma muscle, something that happens naturally due to ageing.
Botox can help correct this condition. Wrinkles and fine lines aside, Botox also assists in correcting sagging skin.
Botox on the neck starts showing results 10–14 days after you’ve taken the injections. The results last for 3 to 5 months.
Botox is also used to treat the following medical conditions.
- Strabismus (Crossed eyes)
- Dystonia (Excess muscle contractions)
- Eyelid twitching
- Adult spasticity
- Pediatric upper limb spasticity
- Hyperhidrosis (Excess sweating)
- Chronic migraines
- Overactive bladder
- Blepharospasm
Types of Botox
Whether it’s Botox for skin or any other purpose, it is vital to know about the different types of Botox available on the market. Each has its own set of uses and precautions.
AbobotulinumtoxinA
This is a type of Botox provided by Dysport. AbobotulinumtoxinA is a neuro-muscular blocker that is primarily used to treat severe muscle spasms in the neck, calf, elbow, wrist, and fingers. In children, it helps relieve muscle spasms in the calf.
In addition to those mentioned above, this type of Botox also corrects the fine lines between a person’s eyebrows.
Before you opt for AbobotulinumtoxinA, make sure you tell the healthcare professional whether you experience any of the following conditions:
- Breathing difficulties
- Diabetes
- Heart problems
- History of surgery on the area to be injected
- History of infections in the area to be injected
- Nerve or muscle conditions
- Reactions to botulinum toxin, albumin, cow’s milk protein, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- Breastfeeding
- Either pregnant or trying to get pregnant
IncobotulinumtoxinA
This is a type of Botox that is often referred to as Xeomin. Like AbobotulinumtoxinA, IncobotulinumtoxinA is also a neuro-muscular blocker. It is used in the treatment of muscle spasms and excessive drooling.
IncobotulinumtoxinA is also handy when it comes to tightening the eye and neck muscles. It also helps in correcting the frown lines on a person’s face.
The following conditions might impact the use of IncobotulinumtoxinA. It is recommended to discuss them with your healthcare practitioner before getting this injection.
- Cerebral palsy
- Trouble swallowing
- History of surgery on the area to be injected
- History of infections in the area to be injected
- Lung or breathing conditions
- Bleeding disorders
- Neurological diseases like myasthenia gravis
- Nerve or muscle diseases
- Reactions to botulinum toxin, albumin, sucrose, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- Breastfeeding
- Either pregnant or trying to get pregnant
PrabotulinumtoxinA
Also known by its brand name Jeauveau, PrabotulinumtoxinA belongs to the class of skeletal muscle relaxants. It is usually a part of Botox facial treatments and is used to correct wrinkles in adults. The effects are usually temporary.
As with any drug, PrabotulinumtoxinA has a list of conditions that can impact its efficacy. It’d be wise to reconsider your choices if you have any one of the following conditions:
- History of infections in the area to be injected
- Allergic reactions to products that contain botulinum toxin
- Received other botulinum toxin injections within the last 4 months
- Side effects due to previous use of botulinum toxin
- Lou Gehrig’s disease
- Myasthenia gravis
- Breathing disorders like asthma or emphysema
- Lambert-Eaton syndrome
- Swallowing problems
- Heart diseases
- Surgeries on the face
Before a Botox Injection
During your initial visit for Botox treatment, the healthcare provider will ask a set of questions related to your current health condition and the medications you’re prescribed.
It is also important to inform the provider about any Botox injections you have taken in the past 4 months.
If you’re taking blood thinners, you may be asked to stop them to prevent bleeding or bruising.
During the Procedure
Generally, Botox injections take a few minutes, and patients don’t feel any pain. But some may require anaesthesia.
Botox injections are an outpatient procedure and happen in the doctor’s office. During the process, the healthcare provider will inject small amounts of Botox into the skin or muscles. The total number of shots required is based on the treatment type and various other factors.
After the Procedure
Once you’ve received a Botox injection, you’re expected to not rub or massage the injection site for 24 hours. Also, you shouldn’t lie down for 2 to 4 hours after the injection. Following these instructions ensures that the toxin doesn’t spread to parts of the body where it isn’t needed.
The results of a Botox treatment for face should appear after a week or more. The effects last for 3 to 4 months. You’ll need follow-up injections to maintain the effect.
BM Cosmetic is your destination for Botox treatment in Chennai. The NABH-accredited aesthetic centre has over 10 years of experience in making people look their best.
The expert team is led by Dr Rajinikanth T, who is well assisted by senior consultant Dr Hema Malini and senior medical consultant Dr Tanuja Arvind.
Call +919952099620 or send an email to bmcosmeticclinic@gmail.com to learn more about how Botox can help you achieve the look you want. Book an appointment today and change your life.
