It should come as no surprise that Botox is one of the most popular anti-aging treatments on the market. It’s safe and effective, minimally-invasive and results in little to no downtime. With the popularity of Botox on the rise and the many varied positive effects of the treatment, it has become one of the most sought after minimally-invasive cosmetic treatments on the market.
What is Botox?
Botox is a injectable neuromodulator that works to treat wrinkles and lines caused by repeated muscle movement such as frown lines and also helps to delay the formation of new lines. This has led to an increase in preventative Botox (sometimes called Baby Botox) with people beginning Botox treatment in their mid-twenties and early thirties.
Botox injections are an FDA-approved treatment for frown lines, lines on the forehead and crow’s feet. It’s also effective for other areas such as the nose, lower face, lips and neck softening the appearance of lines and wrinkles by blocking signals from the nerves to the muscles, which prevents the muscles from contracting.
It’s effective for people of all ages from mid-twenties on as it minimizes the appearance of existing lines, as well as working to weaken the muscles so that the wrinkles in the affected areas don’t worsen over time. Keep in mind that Botox isn’t a miracle fix, it won’t work on lines that are caused by other factors such as sun damage.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Botox
There are a number of reasons that more and more, people are turning to Botox as their anti-aging treatment preference. However, in some cases, it might not be the ideal choice. These are the Pros and Cons:
Pros:
Cons:
Here are some answers to the most frequently asked Botox questions in Clackamas, OR:
Is Botox safe?
While Botox remains one of the most popular minimally invasive treatments, there are many that have concerns, because it’s derived from a toxin that paralyzes muscles temporarily. Complications from Botox are rare, but it is possible that the Botox can spread into other areas, resulting in drooping eyelids or an uneven smile. The results are not permanent and will wear off within 3 – 4 months.
The poison, botulinum type A, has very little risk and few to no side effects when administered by a qualified professional. This makes choosing the right provider important - they should be qualified and have proven experience in successfully and effectively offering Botox injections. Every provider that is listed on Anzolo Med has been checked to ensure that they meet the medical requirements in Clackamas, OR.
What is it used for?
Botox, which works by paralyzing the underling facial muscles, is most commonly used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is a popular option for the treatment of migraines, muscular disorders, excessive sweating and, in some instances, bladder and bowel disorders. It is also effective in treating temporomandibular joint disorder, bruxism, vaginismus, and for reducing a gummy smile.
What can I expect from my Botox appointment?
If you have concerns about your Botox appointment, this should help you to understand what you can expect at each stage of the process:
How long will it take to see results?
The full effects of Botox are not immediate as the Botox needs some time to bind to the receptors on the nerve cells, which then relaxes the muscles. You should start to see results around two to three days after treatment, but the full effects will take upwards of a week to show. If you want to compare a before and after of the difference, you should wait at least two weeks.
Keep in mind that you may still see some fine lines. The appearance of these lines will decrease as the facial muscles remain relaxed and immobile over three months. This is what makes long-term Botox use so effective as the longer the muscles don’t move; the fewer lines will appear as a result.
Do Botox injections hurt?
The pain from Botox is minimal as the needles used for the treatment are very small. After the treatment is finished, you may have small red bumps on your face that will last for 15 to 20 minutes. There is a small risk of bruising that can take a week to disappear. To reduce the chance of bruising, try to avoid anything that works to thin the blood (unless it’s medically necessary). This includes Aspirin, ibuprofen (and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories), fish oil, vitamin E supplements and alcohol.
If you are worried about the pain, you can request the area to be numbed with a topical anesthetic cream before the injections.
How long does Botox last?
Botox lasts for between 3 and 6 months. As the muscle gradually returns to action, you will notice the lines and wrinkles beginning to reappear. At this point, they will need to be treated again. When the lines and wrinkles reappear, they often appear less severe as continued Botox treatments result in the muscles shrinking. If you discontinue Botox treatments the effects will wear off completely, and muscles will go back to their normal movements.
How much should I expect to pay?
The total treatment amount will vary from person to person, depending on how many units are needed to treat the area taking into account the size of the area and the strength of the muscles that need to be relaxed. In Clackamas, OR the cost per unit ranges between $10 and $25 per unit. The frown lines between the eyebrows is a popular treatment area, and the right number of units for most individuals will be 25; however it could be as few at ten and as many as thirty.
When should you start getting Botox?
Many patients start using Botox around the age of 30 when lines and wrinkles start to become more noticeable; however, others use Botox as a preventative treatment from the age of 25.
Botox Additional Treatments
Although Botox enjoys a reputation for its ability to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, there are a number of other cosmetic and medical conditions that can be effectively treated with Botox.
Migraines
Botox offers relief for chronic migraines that are caused in part by muscle tension. If you struggle with headaches at least 15 days per month, Botox is an FDA-approved treatment that relaxes the trigger muscles, effectively reducing the severity and duration of the headaches.
To receive treatment for your migraines, you will first need a diagnosis from a neurologist who may perform the Botox injections. The injections can also be administered by a facial plastic surgeon or any specialist with knowledge of craniofacial anatomy.
Hyperhidrosis
If you sweat excessively, this condition can be treated with Botox which is injected into the areas with overactive sweat glands. It works by disabling the nerve signals that active the sweat glands. Its most effective in the armpits where a provider will inject around 50 units in each armpit over 20 to 25 injections.
Because the treatment uses a fine needle and the Botox is injected superficially, the pain is minimal, and the sensation can be compared to pinpricks. However, because the same site is treated upwards of 20 times, it is common to apply a numbing cream before the appointment to reduce sensation in the treatment area.
Similar to facial Botox, the effects last between 3 and 6 months, but it is common for the results to be longer-lasting.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
Botox can be injected directly into the muscles of the jaw to relieve symptoms of TMJ as well as teeth grinding and a clenched jaw (bruxism). The treatment helps to prevent damage to the teeth and is often effective in reducing the instances of headaches that are a result of tension caused by jaw-clenching.
The effects of the Botox last between 3 and 6 months, and during this time, the muscles learn to relax. This may mean that follow-up treatments may not be needed, or that fewer units of Botox are used to treat the condition.