Botox is the commercial name for the purified form of botulinum toxin-A - the toxin that is derived from the bacterium Chlostridium botulinum. In small doses, this toxin can help smoothen fine age lines and wrinkles, and treat certain medical conditions that involve nerve transmissions that control muscle contractions.
Botox treatment is recommended for people aged 18 to 85. Botox injections can temporarily immobilize the contraction of facial muscles to help ease, smoothen and reduce wrinkles.
Only a qualified cosmetic surgeon can administer the Botox injection on the specific areas of the face to be treated. The treatment usually takes 10 to 15 minutes, plus 10 to 15 more minutes for the consultation and preparation.
Botox treatment can last for up to 3-6 months, depending on how fast the patient develops wrinkles. Each patient is different and the response and results vary based on this factor.
The cost of a typical Botox treatment is around $200 to $400 per treated area. This amount may vary per location and number of areas treated.
Botox as medical treatment
While Botox is a famous cosmetic treatment, it is also regarded as a medical treatment. The original purpose of Botox injection was to treat Strabismus (misaligned/lazy eyes) and Blepharospasm (uncontrolled blinking). However, due to developments in research and technology, Botox has reached the cosmetics industry in helping ease away facial lines temporarily.
Other medical conditions that Botox can treat are:
Migraine headaches
Cervical dystonia
Prostate
Hyperhidrosis
Known side effects
Headache
Flu-like symptoms
Nausea
Bruising around the treated area
Pinching pain
Tenderness
Swelling
These common side effects usually occur after Botox treatment and they normally fade over time.
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