Botox is the purified form of toxin (botulinum toxin-a) derived from Chlostridium botulinum, the bacterium that is directly associated with botulism. It is used in treating age lines or wrinkles (cosmetic), as well as other health problems such as dystonia, hyperhidrosis and migraine headaches (medical).
Yes, Botox is approved by the FDA as a cosmetic and medical treatment.
Botox was first approved by the FDA in 1989 as a medical treatment for 2 eye disorders namely Blepharospasm (uncontrollable blinking) and Strabismus (misaligned eyes).
In 2000, the FDA approved Botox to treat cervical dystonia, a neurological disorder that causes severe shoulder and neck muscles contraction.
Botox was approved by the FDA as a cosmetic treatment in April of 2002.
In 2004, the FDA approved Botox as a treatment for axillary hyperhidrosis for patients who do not respond positively to topical prescription drugs.
Is Botox safe?
Botox injections are safe and effective, and it has been used to treat various conditions for more than a decade.
Where is Botox administered?
Botox injections are usually injected on the skin to treat wrinkles and facial lines. Same goes for medical treatments, although the technique is different particularly in the injection process and the type of needle.
How long is the treatment?
The actual Botox treatment for wrinkles usually takes 10 minutes but the entire consultation time may take around 20 to 30 minutes.
Is there any pain during Botox injection?
Patients have reportedly experienced tiny pinching or "tiny bug bites" sensation during the Botox injection process.
What should a patient do after a Botox treatment?
A patient is required to rest without lying down in the first 2 hours after the treatment. Exercising or any strenuous activity is also prohibited during this period.
A patient is also advised to avoid touching the treated area for the first 4 hours after the treatment.
How long will the results last and how soon can the patient see the results?
Results last for around 3 to 6 months. Re-injection of Botox is required to maintain the desired appearance.
Results can be seen at 2 to 4 weeks after the treatment.
How much does a typical Botox treatment costs?
The cost of Botox treatment will depend on where you reside and the area of the face to be treated.
One can expect to pay around $250 to $400 per treated area.
How often should a patient have Botox treatment to maintain the desired results?
To maintain the desired look and results, it is advisable to have Botox treatments every 4 to 6 months.
Delaying the succeeding treatments can be made as the age lines and wrinkles become lighter.
Which type of wrinkles respond best to Botox injections?
Only dynamic wrinkles respond positively to Botox injections. Wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes are the most responsive.
Wrinkles due to sun damage and aging will not improve through Botox injections as these types of wrinkles do not involve muscle contractions.
How does Botox treatment work for wrinkles?
Botox blocks the nerve signals that trigger the facial muscle contractions that produce facial lines or wrinkles. The muscles are immobilized by Botox, hence, softening and preventing the formation of age lines.
Are there any risks?
There are very minimal, and often rare, risks and side effects associated with Botox. Headache, flu-like symptoms, temporary redness, swelling, tiny pinching sensations and bruising are the most common side effects that usually fade over time.
No fatal systemic side effects have been reported from locally administering Botox injections for facial wrinkles.
Where does the toxin go after the treatment wears off?
The very minute dose of botulinum toxin-A is absorbed, processed and will be eliminated naturally by the body.
Despite the early discovery of Botox, there are still a lot more things to learn about the procedure. By reading Botox FAQ from several credible sources, you will know the procedure a lot better. Here are some interesting facts about Botox:
Unlike its concentrated from, the Botox solution will never be a source of poisoning. The toxin used is in minute amounts which cannot possibly cause a disease. The solution is believed to be 3 million times more dilute than the concentrated dose. Such little amount will cause no poisoning but will deliver only the best healthy effects on your body.
The first medical use of Botox was discovered during the 1800's. It was used to correct strabismus or lazy eyes. After that, several other indications of Botox have been discovered. Cervical dystonia, hyperhidrosis and Blepharospasm were only some of the conditions treated by the powerful toxin.
It took Botox quite a long time before it was finally accepted by FDA. Because of the controversial component of the drug, several studies and experiments were done to prove its efficacy. Today, these medical uses are employed in health care facilities. To date, no related deaths or complications took place with Botox procedure.
Many individuals think that Botox is only done once. Actually, Botox can be performed several times depending on the effects of the formulation to your problems. Some have Botox procedure every 3 months while others have Botox only twice per year. The doctor will tell you about the schedule of treatment. You need to comply with it so the Botox effects can last a long time.
Botox also got a negative impact among people because they are administered through injections. The needle is so small that you will not almost feel the prick on your skin. But if you are sensitive to pain, a local anesthetic agent could always be requested. You have to request for anesthetics prior to the procedure so the doctor can apply it before the treatment starts.
Almost all people think that Botox is done when you are in your 30's. But as a preventive treatment, Botox can be performed on teenagers who are 18 years of age and above. The age bracket of Botox is between 18 and 65.
Like all other treatments, Botox procedure has risks. You can develop bruising because of the needle sticks. You might also experience headaches or drowsiness after the procedure. Temporary drooping of the eyelids, numbness of the face, and flu-like symptoms are also side effects of the treatment. These adverse effects can be prevented by following the physician's instructions before and after the procedure.
Botox is not just performed by anybody else. It is usually done by a physician, dermatologist, or even a Botox therapist. You must ensure the services of a proper health practitioner to avoid having problems later on.
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