Those little creases that appear when you laugh, frown, or raise your eyebrows can turn into lines and wrinkles over time. Botox® lets you look youthful and refreshed without surgery or recovery time. Its ability to smooth these creases makes Botox® one of the world’s most popular aesthetic treatments, but where these abilities come from may surprise you.
What is Botox®?
After several decades of use as a medical and aesthetic treatment, Botox® has become a household name. This injectable anti-aging treatment is used to address lines and wrinkles including glabellar lines (vertical creases between the brows), crow’s feet, and horizontal forehead lines. It causes facial muscles to stop contracting, letting your skin relax.
What is Botox® Made Of?
The wrinkle-smoothing power of Botox® comes from a compound called botulinum toxin. While originally discovered to be produced by bacteria, botulinum toxin is now produced in a laboratory to be concentrated and pure. This compound works by traveling to the targeted facial nerves and stopping them from sending a signal called acetylcholine to your facial muscles.
Without this signal, your facial muscles do not contract. As a result, they stop pulling and creasing the skin. Lines and wrinkles relax and become less noticeable, and without the continued muscle action, they will not get deeper. Despite being known as a neurotoxin, botulinum toxin does not harm your facial nerves in any way, and they will return to normal when Botox® wears off.
What is a Botox® Treatment Like?
One factor in the popularity of Botox® is how quick and simple the treatments are. Injections can take as little as 15 minutes, depending on the areas you want to treat, and discomfort is minimal. You may feel a minor burning or tingling sensation as the small amount of Botox® is injected, but this effect only lasts a moment. With treatments that fit into a lunch break, Botox® is an excellent anti-aging option for busy individuals.
How Long Do Botox® Results Last?
When injected, Botox® travels to your facial nerves and tells them to stop sending signals to the targeted muscles. This process takes three to seven days for most people. Once established, results typically last three to four months. Some people, especially those who have been getting Botox® for a while, may see results lasting up to six months. How fast your body processes and removes Botox® depends on your unique metabolism.
Is There Any Downtime After Botox®
Adding to the convenience of getting Botox®, this treatment allows you to leave the office and return to work or other activities without delay. While there is no downtime after Botox®, you should avoid rubbing your face for several hours and limit strenuous exercise for the rest of the day. You may notice bruising, swelling, or redness in the injection area that can last up to a few days.
Am I a Good Candidate for Botox® Injections?
With so many uses in medicine and aesthetics, Botox® is used by millions of people every year with minimal risk of side effects. Good candidates should have reasonable expectations and understand the risks and benefits of the procedure. You should not have Botox® injections if you have an active skin condition or infection in the treatment area or if you are pregnant.
Take the Next Step
If you are interested in Botox®, please reach out to our qualified staff to schedule a consultation at one of our convenient locations in Walnut Creek and Tiburon. Give us a call at (925) 397-5486 or fill out our online form. Helping you achieve your cosmetic goals is an honor and a privilege at NorCal Plastic Surgery, proudly serving the East Bay, Marin County, and the greater San Francisco Bay Area. We look forward to hearing from you.
