There is nothing new about Botox. The FDA approved this injectable treatment 20 years ago. For the next generation of adults looking to slow the signs of aging, Botox seems an obvious choice.
At Live MedSpa in Doral, Florida, we know that just because you’ve heard of Botox for years doesn’t mean you know all of the details of this popular treatment. It’s important to us that you look and feel your best and fully understand your treatment options and how they work for you.
Here, we share everything you need to know about Botox—what it is, how it works, what to expect from a Botox procedure, and more.
What Is Botox?
Botox is an injectable cosmetic treatment containing the naturally occurring compound, Botulinum toxin A. Botulinum toxin A is found in the environmental bacteria Clostridium botulinum.
How Does Botox Work?
Botox injections target tissues below the skin’s surface, then block nerve signals to the muscle, keeping it from contracting. Muscle contractions from facial expressions highlight and deepen existing wrinkles. Botox injections stilling those muscles give your face a smoother, younger look.
Botox works best on dynamic wrinkles, which appear when expressing emotions. Dynamic wrinkles fade when the feeling passes, and you stop making whatever “face” you’re making. In contrast, static wrinkles remain on the face even after the facial muscles relax and deepen with age.
Treating dynamic wrinkles with Botox can prevent them from becoming deeper, static wrinkles over time.
Is Botox Safe?
Yes. While injectable treatments in your face may be daunting, Botox is a popular and safe procedure. In addition, Botox is the most widely researched and studied injectable treatment of its kind.
Ninety-five countries approve Botox for cosmetic use, and there are over 528 peer-reviewed articles in scientific and medical journals describing the safety and efficacy of Botox.
What Does Botox Treat?
The FDA first approved Botox for medical (not cosmetic) purposes. Botox treats various medical conditions, including:
- Cervical dystonia (neck spasms)
- Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
- Bladder dysfunctions
- Lazy eye due to muscle imbalances
- Eye twitching
- Chronic migraines
- Muscle contractures from neurological conditions.
Cosmetically, Botox treats moderate to severe forehead lines, crow’s feet lines, and frown lines between the eyebrows in adults. Some people also use Botox injections to soften a square jawline, smooth dimpling in the chin area, and correct an overly gummy smile.
What Results Should I Expect from Botox?
Within 24 to 48 hours after your first Botox treatment, you may begin to notice your lines visibly smoothing. As Botox works, you’ll see lines in the treated areas soften, and wrinkles reduce in appearance. Full results from your Botox procedure typically take up to two weeks.
Depending on the severity of your wrinkles and the chosen treatment area(s), you may need more than one Botox session to achieve your desired results. Results generally last around four months.
What Should I Expect from a Botox Procedure?
Before your procedure, you’ll meet with a member of our expert team to discuss areas of concern and your overall goals. The length of your Botox procedure depends on the treatment areas and the amount of Botox used.
During the Procedure
The needle used in your Botox injectable treatment is tiny, so typically, no numbing cream or topical anesthesia is necessary. Our expert injector will identify precise areas on your face that require an injection. The procedure is quick and very easily tolerated.
If you are nervous about experiencing discomfort during your Botox procedure, let us know so that we can apply a numbing agent if needed.
During Recovery
Botox requires no downtime, and you can resume normal activities immediately after treatment. However, we recommend you wait four hours after treatment before beginning any strenuous exercise or rubbing your face at the treatment site. Since your Botox injections are applied expertly into precise locations, exercising or massaging the injection site can spread the protein into unwanted areas.
Note that you will not see results immediately from your first Botox treatment. Botox injections take time to act, and you will begin to notice results in two to three days. These results continue to improve until your results are fully realized, at about two weeks after your first treatment.
When Should I Start Getting Botox?
Many patients worry about being “too young” or “too old” for Botox. However, there is no right or wrong age for Botox injections. An expert member of the Live MedSpa team is happy to consult with you to determine your facial rejuvenation goals and the proper treatment.
Many patients in their twenties begin Botox as a preventative measure to reduce the appearance and the deepening of wrinkles as soon as they first appear. Patients in their sixties and older also pursue Botox injections for a natural-looking refresh.
How Will Botox Make Me Feel?
The goal of Botox injections is to soften lines from facial expressions. Botox procedures deliver the best (natural and subtle) results with a skilled practitioner.
Who Can Perform Botox Injections?
You want to get an expert to administer your Botox treatment for several reasons. First of all, Botox is a prescription-only medicine. For that reason, only medically qualified practitioners should perform injections.
Trained providers know the right way to administer and formulate them. Additionally, you should have a face-to-face consultation with your injector before treatment to determine what areas require treatment.
Our Botox injection treatments are safe and effective at Live MedSpa in Doral, Florida. If you’re looking to restore your skin’s youthfulness, schedule an appointment with Live MedSpa today.
