Have you thought about Botox for wrinkles?
Are your wrinkles bothering you?
Do you feel as if your wrinkles make you look tired or older?
We get it. Who doesn’t want perfectly smooth and youthful-looking skin?
Unfortunately, wrinkles are a natural part of aging. As we get older, our skin loses its elasticity and becomes drier. This will eventually result in wrinkles around our eyes, forehead, cheeks, and lips. In addition, we also have to deal with other factors that damage our skin over time. These include things like exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, smoking, and even the normal wear and tear on our skin from repeated facial expressions. Because of this, Botox and other similar neurotoxins are a great way to help prevent and even remove some of these unwanted signs of aging.
What is Botox?
Botulinum toxin, commonly known as Botox, is a potent neurotoxin protein. It is produced from a type of bacterium known as Clostridium botulinum. Today, neurotoxins in the US are available under the brand names Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin. All 3 of these products essentially work to reduce wrinkles using the same mechanism.
How does Botox work?
Botox inhibits the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction. This means that it blocks certain nerve signals that lead to muscle contraction. Injection of small quantities of botulinum toxin into specific overactive muscles can cause these local muscles to relax. This eventually results in a smoothing out of the overlying skin and eventually a reduction of wrinkles.
What kinds of wrinkles can Botox injections be used for?
Botox can temporarily improve the appearance of:
- Frown lines between the eyebrows
- Crow’s feet lines
- Forehead lines
What can you expect with Botox injections?
Before you receive your Botox cosmetic injection, your provider may apply a numbing cream to the area of injection. We generally do this as a standard at our office as we like to avoid any discomfort during the procedure. Botox will then be injected into the specific facial muscles that cause age-related wrinkles. You should start to see an improvement in the appearance of your wrinkles and fine lines within a few days. Results are best seen after a period of 10-14 days. The effects of Botox generally tend to last approximately 6 months.
What are the possible side effects of Botox Cosmetic injections?
You should always consult with your medical provider to see how botox may affect you given your particular medical history. However, rare side effects can include, dry mouth, dry eyes, swelling, vision problems, drooping eyebrows, headache, and fatigue. Again, these are all rare complications and should be discussed with your medical provider.
Wrinkles are inevitable. The sooner you start taking control of your wrinkles, the easier it will be to manage the signs of aging.
Call us today to schedule a consultation.
Dr. Sergio Guiteau is a physician who has certifications in Aesthetic Medicine and is board certified in Family Practice and Sports Medicine. He specializes in Anti-Aging Medicine and blogs on Advancedrejuv.com/blog