All You Need to Know About BOTOX® Cosmetic
Aging is a normal part of life. As you grow older, your facial skin might lose its firmness and consequently develop wrinkles. Unfortunately, wrinkles can negatively affect your appearance and cause you to look older than you are. This might negatively affect your self-confidence. The good news is that there are several minimally invasive facial treatments that can help improve the appearance of wrinkles, BOTOX® Cosmetic being the most common one.
But what is BOTOX® Cosmetic, and how does it work? Here is everything you need to know about this minimally invasive cosmetic treatment.
Table of Contents
What Is BOTOX® Cosmetic?
BOTOX® cosmetic is an injectable solution for facial wrinkles. The treatment relies on the effect of botulinum toxin type A on the facial muscles. Although botulinum toxin is extremely dangerous, it temporarily paralyzes facial muscles when applied in safe quantities, which consequently improves the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Millions of BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments are performed annually, and it is the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedure offered in the United States.
How BOTOX® Cosmetic Works
BOTOX® Cosmetic injections may seem like a simple, straightforward treatment. However, it is a complex art and science that should only be done by adequately trained and experienced healthcare professionals.
Your face has 43 muscles, and therefore, it is important for the person administering the BOTOX® Cosmetic injections to know the location of the muscles and target them correctly for optimum results. The number of BOTOX® Cosmetic injections you will get will depend on your facial features and the extent of fine lines and wrinkles to be treated.
Once the injections have been made, the toxin will block muscle contractions and nerve signals. This will effectively paralyze the muscles and consequently reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Consequently, this will give the patient a younger-looking facial appearance.
What You Can Expect After BOTOX® Cosmetic
After the treatment, you will be advised on how to take care of the treated area. For instance, you might be required to avoid massaging, rubbing, or applying pressure to the area. This is because these actions may cause the toxin to spread to other areas, which might negatively affect your BOTOX® Cosmetic results. The procedure requires little to no downtime, and, in most cases, patients can go back to their normal day-to-day activities immediately.
Risks and Side Effects BOTOX® Cosmetic
Although BOTOX® Cosmetic is a safe treatment that has been approved by the FDA, it is not without risks. Some of the risks associated with the procedure include:
- Pain, swelling, and bruising at injection sites
- Nausea
- Flu-like symptoms
- Temporary drooping or facial weakness
- Skin redness
- Headache
Although it is quite unlikely, the toxin might spread from the treatment area and lead to symptoms such as difficulty breathing, muscle weakness, trouble swallowing, and slurred speech.
Before the procedure, you will get to discuss these risks and side effects with your provider so that you can make an informed decision.
BOTOX® Cosmetic FAQs
Is BOTOX® Cosmetic painful?
The procedure is mainly painless. Even without anesthesia, the discomfort you will experience is negligible since your provider will use extremely thin needles. In this case, you will only feel a little pinch that should go away within a short time. In some cases, providers use topical anesthesia to make the procedure completely painless.
Is BOTOX® Cosmetic Safe?
Although BOTOX® Cosmetic is not without some risks and side effects, it is largely safe. In 1989, the FDA approved the use of BOTOX® in the treatment of blepharospasm. The FDA then approved BOTOX® for the cosmetic treatment of frown lines between the eyebrows. Clinical studies done later on showed that it is safe to use BOTOX® Cosmetic for the treatment of forehead wrinkles. Therefore, as long as the injections are administered by a qualified and experienced provider, BOTOX® Cosmetic is perfectly safe.
When Can I Expect to See My Final Results After BOTOX® Cosmetic?
Unfortunately, BOTOX® Cosmetic results are not immediate. Although you will start to see the difference after 24 hours, it might take up to two weeks for you to see the full results. Therefore, if you are having BOTOX® Cosmetic in preparation for a particular event, it is important to consider this when choosing the right time for the treatment.
How Long Do BOTOX® Cosmetic Results Last?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a short-term solution for wrinkles. Indeed, the results of the treatment are temporary, and they typically will last three to four months. However, the results do last up to six months in a few cases.
How Much Does BOTOX Cosmetic Cost?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of BOTOX Cosmetic treatment is $466. Of course, the cost will vary on a case-to-case basis, depending on the provider you choose and how advanced the wrinkles and fine lines are.
