Although Botox injections are primarily known for minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and slowing down the onset of dynamic lines, Botox injections have additional medical benefits, too. In addition to cosmetic applications, Botox injections are used to treat the following conditions:
- Lazy eye (amblyopia)
- Muscle spasms
- Excessive sweating
- Overactive bladder
- Chronic migraines
- Thyroid eye disease
- Bell’s Palsy
The active ingredient in Botox injections is a substance called onobotulinumtoxinA, which is a botulism toxin. This paralyzes muscular movement on a temporary basis. While Botox is the most widely recognized brand name for onobotulinumtoxinA-based treatments, other medications using this solution include Dysport, Myobloc, and Xeomin. These non-Botox brands contain varying concentrations of onobotulinumtoxinA and are formulated differently, so they cannot be used interchangeably.
Cosmetic Botox
Botox injections have multiple cosmetic applications. Patients have successfully used Botox injections to perform minor aesthetic adjustments to the nose, to define the jawline, to make the lips appear plumper, and to create a smoother neck area.
Botox injections do not “fill” lines and wrinkles – they relax the underlying muscles so that lines and wrinkles do not appear as pronounced. Moreover, the muscle relaxation prevents new wrinkles from forming, since overactivity of the facial muscles can cause new wrinkles to become engrained.
Preparing for Botox Injections
It is important to always have Botox injections under the care and supervision of a medical professional in a clinical setting. Selecting the appropriate injection site is critical to achieving optimum results and reducing the likelihood of side effects and complications. If you are considering Botox treatments to address a legitimate medical concern, consult with your physician for a referral to a specialist with experience administering Botox for that specific condition.
If you’ve had Botox or other cosmetic injections within the previous year, make sure you disclose it to your doctor. Moreover, make sure you disclose any muscle relaxants, blood thinners, pain medications, allergy medications, or prescription or over-the-counter sleep aids you are currently taking.
While there is generally minimal discomfort from the injections, pre-injection preparation may include the application of topical numbing agents to the injection site if the treatment area is particularly sensitive. (It is most often needed when treating the palms of the hands or soles of the feet for sweat control.)
Once the injections have been administered, it is advisable to avoid rubbing or massaging the injection sites for approximately 24 hours. This is to prevent the solution from migrating to other areas of the face or body. In addition, it is advisable to avoid strenuous activity that day such as running, kickboxing, jumping, etc. In most situations there is no downtime as long as there is no bruising, and you may return to work and other normal activities immediately post-procedure.
Patients typically notice results between one and three days after the injections, which last between three months and one year, depending upon the issue being addressed. Periodic follow-up treatments will be necessary to preserve the effects for the long-term.