Botox: Purpose, Procedure, Results, Risks and How it’s Made?
Dalia is an experienced makeup artist and a skincare expert…
You’ve probably heard your best friend talking about Botox, or you read it somewhere on Social Media but you still not sure about what it really does. Let’s find out the important things to know about Botox.
What is Botox?
Botox is a protein made from Botulinum Toxin which is produced by a bacterium called Clostridium Botulinum. Botox is actually a toxin that has several beneficial effects when doctors use it correctly and in small doses. It paralyzes or weakens muscles and proves beneficial in reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
Commercial preparations of botox include:
- Onabotulinumtoxin A (Botox)
- Abobotulinumtoxin A (Dysport)
- Incobotulinumtoxin A (Xeomin)
- Rimabotulinumtoxin B (Myobloc)
- Prabotulinumtoxin A (Jeuveau)
How Does Botox Work?
Botox works by blocking the nerve impulse conduction towards the muscle. As a result, the muscle cannot contract. The effects are temporary but can last for a few months.
Cosmetic Uses of Botox:
The most common cosmetic use of botox is reducing the appearance of wrinkles. This procedure is practiced worldwide. Other uses of botox include:
- Reducing frown lines (wrinkles between the eyebrows)
- Reducing wrinkles beneath the eyes known as “crow’s feet”
- Reducing the appearance of lines at the corner of the mouth
- Reducing the horizontal creases in the forehead.
- Reduce dark circles under the eyes
- Keloids and scars
- Blisters
Botox also has several medical uses.
- Excessive sweating
- Overactive bladder
- Strabismus/ squint
- Cervical dystonia
- Neck pain
- Chronic migraines
- Spasticity
What to Expect During the Procedure:
Your doctor will preferable anesthetize the area with topical anesthetic agent, ice or vibration anesthesia. After numbing the area, your doctor will inject small amounts of botox with the help of a tiny needle. The number of injections depends on the extent of the area being treated. It is advisable to not rub or massage the area for 24 hours as this prevents the toxin from spreading to surrounding areas and reduces the risk of side effects.
Risks and Complications to Be Aware of:
Generally, people tolerate botox injections and side effects are very rare. Nevertheless, botox can result in some undesired side effects depending on the individual’s response. These include:
- Temporary undesirable weakness in surrounding muscles
- Eyelid drooping/ ptosis
- Urinary problems such as urinary incontinence
- Mild pain and bruising
- Headache
- Dry eye
- Numbness in the treated area
- Upset stomach
- Double vision
- Corneal ulceration after treatment of blepharitis
- Inflammation
- Allergy/ sensitivity (It is indicated by symptoms including wheezing, redness, itching, rash and dizziness)
Precautions before Opting for the Treatment:
- Avoid sun exposure for at least 4 hours after the procedure. Exposure to sunlight can cause flushing and irritation of the skin in the treated area.
- Do not sleep on the injected side to prevent physical pressure on the treated area.
- Botox takes time to settle into the skin. So, it is advisable to avoid facial massages, exfoliation and scrubbing of the skin.
- Do not touch the treated area for at least 24 hours to avoid spread of the botox into surrounding areas.
- Discontinue alcohol 24 hours before the procedure as alcohol intake can worsen the side effects of this procedure.
References
Cassoobhoy, A. (2020, July 24). Botox . Retrieved from Web MD: https://www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-procedures-botox
Botox Explained by Mount Sinai Health System
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Dalia is an experienced makeup artist and a skincare expert that owned different high-end beauty centres in some of Europe's sought-after countries, such as Switzerland, Spain, and France. One of Dalia's goals is to share her knowledge with her audience to help them get all the information they need while getting inspired.