A Beginner's Guide To Botox Injections

Botox injections are used in small doses to weaken or paralyze muscles to reduce skin wrinkles or help treat some medical conditions. It has both medical and cosmetic uses. Botox is a protein derived from botulinum bacteria present in many natural settings.

Common Botox medical uses include:

• Preventing excessive sweating. Botox injections can be used to prevent hyperhidrosis or severe underarm sweating
• Treating cervical dystonia. People with this condition have uncontrollable neck and shoulder muscle spasms
• Preventing uncontrollable blinking
• Preventing migraines
• Controlling eyelid spasms

Other medical conditions that may benefit from its off-label use include facial redness and flushing, scars, certain types of inflammatory disease, and blistering lesions. Other off-label, or unapproved, uses of Botox injections include treating

• Sialorrhea (producing too much saliva)
• Alopecia
• Dysfunction of the anal muscle
• Raynaud's disease

Facial Botox

The primary use of Botox injections is to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and facial creases. Over the years, facial Botox has become a very common cosmetic procedure in the United States. It involves a painless and quick procedure, which makes it a better alternative to surgical procedures. It also needs minimal preparations. It is important that you let your doctor know your medical history, underlying conditions, and allergies before getting a Botox injection.

The procedure takes only a few minutes and does not require anesthesia. It takes effect between three and five days. You can undergo the procedure and report to work the following day. Botox effects are temporary, lasting anywhere between three and twelve months. You will be required to redo the procedure once this period lapses. However, the wrinkles and creases appear less severe after the expiry of this period since the muscles are shrinking.

Botox injections are used to lessen the following facial wrinkles:

• Frown lines and glabellar lines—these are wrinkles between eyebrows
• Forehead horizontal creases
• Wrinkles around the eyes
• Around the mouth

The FDA has only approved facial injections for use on the forehead and around the eyes.

Cost, and side effects

The average cost of Botox cosmetic treatment may vary according to the number of injections, geographical location, or the size of the area getting treated. Botox injections have few adverse effects, adding to their popularity. The most common unwanted effect is bruising, which goes away quickly.

If you are thinking of getting facial Botox, consult with your doctor about the risks and other considerations. Also, shop around for the best facial Botox rates before making your final decision.

For more information about Botox injections, reach out to a doctor or plastic surgery center in your area.