How Does Botox Work?

Botox is a cosmetic form of Botulinum toxin type A, a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, that is used to weaken the facial muscles responsible for causing fine lines and wrinkles. It is injected into the facial muscles (without actually affecting the muscles themselves) causing them to relax by blocking the neurotransmitters that “work” them. When these muscles relax, they no longer make the expressions that cause unwanted wrinkles, thus making the skin look smoother.

Botox is FDA-approved for patients 18 years and older and, while there’s no hard and fast rule about when someone should get Botox, most experts believe that the late twenties and early thirties are a good age to start. Although it’s unlikely that young people will have enough lines to be concerned about, more are opting to have preventive Botox injections to ward off the inevitable signs of aging by training their facial muscles to prevent lines and wrinkles from forming.

When having a botox treatment, the doctor may first numb the area using an anesthetic cream before injecting the medicine but, because the needles used are so fine, numbing may not be necessary. The procedure only takes a few minutes and is done as an outpatient, in-office, procedure. Certain activities should be avoided immediately after treatment and the patient will be given guidelines on what they can and can’t do. The muscles should begin to relax within the first week of treatment resulting in fewer facial lines and wrinkles and a more youthful and, in some cases less “worried”, look.

Whilst there can be side effects to a botox treatment, these are rare and not usually serious. They may include temporary weakness of the nearby muscles, a droopy eyelid, drooling, or facial asymmetry. These side effects will depend on where the botox was injected and can last a few weeks but are fully reversible. Some slight temporary bruising may also occur at the injection sites. Although highly improbable, the toxin in a botox injection can spread to other parts of the body. Seek medical attention right away if any of these symptoms appear hours to weeks after receiving Botox:

• Muscle weakness
• Vision problems
• Trouble speaking or swallowing
• Breathing problems
• Loss of bladder control

Doctors generally recommend not using botox when pregnant or breastfeeding, and it should not be used in people with an allergy to cow’s milk protein.

The most commonly treated areas are those where facial muscle activity causes the unwanted wrinkles, such as:

• Glabellar lines (frown lines)
• Wrinkles around the eyes (crow’s feet)
• Forehead creases
• Corners of the mouth
• Chin dimples
• Lip lines (smoker’s lines)
• Nose lines (nasolabial folds)

Botox can also be used to decrease muscle mass in the jawline to provide a slimming facial result. In addition to its aesthetic function, botox injections can also be used to treat conditions such as neck spasms, excessive sweating, an overactive bladder, and a lazy eye; they are also believed to help prevent chronic migraines.

If you would like to know more about our botox injectable services, contact Lansdale Plastic Surgery today! For more information, contact us today or schedule an appointment online. Visit our clinic conveniently located at 2405 North Broad Street, Colmar, PA 18915. We serve clients from Colmar PA, Montgomeryville PA, Lansdale PA, Skippack PA, Harleysville PA, Hatfield PA, Blue Bell PA, and surrounding areas.