| Lori Haney, RN is a Member of DNA. Here she has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Botox.
Q. How does Botox works?
Botox is a muscle relaxant. It works to relax facial muscles (and smooth wrinkles) by blocking the nerve connection that causes muscles to contract.
Q. On which parts of the body can Botox be used?
Botox for cosmetic purposes is only FDA-approved for use in the glabella area. The glabella area refers to the area between the eyes. However, it is common practice to use Botox on different areas of the face. Botox is commonly used to relax forehead lines, lines around the eyes, vertical lines around the mouth, dimpling to the chin, mouth frowns wherein the corners of the mouth are turned down, as well for a brow lift. The brow lift technique is a favored treatment among our patients because it is capable of giving the upper lids and brows a slight but subtle lift making the eyes appear more open and less tired.
Q. What issues can be successfully treated with Botox?
Botox is successfully used to create a younger more refreshed and relaxed appearance by smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. Frown lines, forehead lines, sagging brows, smoker’s lines are just a few of the issues that can be successfully treated with Botox.
Q. When are results visible after using Botox?
Although the effects of Botox are not immediate, most will experience improvement within 24 to 48 hours while some may require up to two weeks for full effects.
Q. How effective is Botox and how long do the effects of botox treatment last?
Botox is extremely effective for relaxing and/or resolving fine lines and wrinkles. Generally, most patients will enjoy the effects for 3 to 4 months. Some report sustaining effects up to six months, but this is not the standard. Research and experience supports the fact that regular use of Botox will lead to longer duration of benefits. This means that regular Botox users generally can go longer between treatments and require less product with consistent visits.
Q. Are there any side effects of using Botox?
Besides the positive side effects, there are only a few negative side effects such as temporary discomfort, bruising, or a mild headache shortly thereafter. In very rare cases, ptosis, which is eyelid or brow droop can be seen. This is most often the case with inexperienced injectors.
Q. What are the drawbacks of the Botox Treatment?
There are very few drawbacks that I can think of other than the monetary expense of the treatments. If one sees value in the outcomes, they will believe that the financial investment is well worth it. More importantly, I believe that a positive experience with Botox is based upon finding a practitioner that will involve you in the treatment plan, discuss options and treatment goals, and be very current with techniques and best practices. Oftentimes, injectors will use the same "recipe" (dosing and technique) for every patient. I believe that the recipe should be tailored to each individual at each visit. |
