Two types of wrinkles affect the skin, static and dynamic. Dynamic wrinkles are the lines that form from smiling, squinting and frowning. Botox® can dramatically reduce dynamic wrinkles and create a more rested and youthful look by relaxing the muscles which create wrinkles and lines.
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For more than 15 years, specialists have used Botox® to control involuntary facial movements such as Benign Essential Blepharospasm and Hemifacial Spasm. In 1993, physicians began using Botox® as a means of reducing lines and wrinkles. Depending on where it is injected, Botox® works by blocking the action of the muscles responsible for frown lines or crow's feet, resulting in smoother skin around the eyes or forehead depending on which area has been treated. A very small amount of Botox® is injected directly into the muscle. The effect is usually seen within 24-72 hours, the muscles relax, reducing the appearance of frown lines or crows' feet. Sometimes headaches that are caused by frequent frowning may be relieved.
Patients receiving Botox® injections also report a decrease in tension headaches, perhaps by relaxing the muscles that lift the eyebrows or cause the brows to furrow.
The most commonly reported side effect is slight tenderness at the injection site. Botox® takes just minutes to inject and its' effects usually last for4-6 months or longer. There's no recovery period required following Botox® injections so patients can resume their normal activities immediately.
What is Botox®?
Botox® is a dilute, purified form of Botulinum toxin which is an extremely effective muscle relaxant.
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How does Botox® eliminate wrinkles?
Small amounts of Botox® are injected with a tiny needle into the muscles that creates the wrinkles. Botox® relaxes the muscles producing the wrinkles, thereby causing the lines to diminish. Botox® is mainly used for improving furrows between the eyebrows, horizontal lines of the forehead, and the crow's feet area around the eyes.
Does a Botox® injection hurt?
The needle to inject Botox® is very fine. In addition, topical anesthetic creams are applied to numb the skin before the injection. Most people don’t find the treatment to be uncomfortable.
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Is Botox® safe?
Botox® has been used safely and successfully by ophthalmologists for over 10 years and for wrinkle therapy since 1993. Although it is a toxin, it is safe and there have been no serious side effects reported. The most common minor complication is a slight and very temporary drooping of the eyelid. Botox® is used in extremely small amounts and does not spread throughout the body. In addition, a memory response may develop with repeated Botox® injections if are done every 3 months for approximately one-year. This means that although the effects are not permanent, there may be a gradual lengthening of the time interval between treatments resulting in fewer treatments to obtain the same results.
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