Botulinum Toxin Type A or Botox treatment is formed from the bacteria which cause botulism. What does the Botulinum toxin do? It helps in the reduction of muscle activity as it temporarily blocks nerve activity in the muscles. Botox is not only known as the treatment for fine lines and wrinkles but it is used for several treatments such as cervical dystonia and muscle spasms in both upper and lower limbs as well. It can also treat severe underarm sweating. Certain eye conditions caused by nerve disorders can also be treated by Botox. Botox can treat overactive bladder and incontinence caused by spinal cord injury and so on.
Treating Different Types of Wrinkles with Botox
Wrinkles are one of the first and prominent signs of aging. There are two types of Botox that one can treat such as, dynamic wrinkles and very fine lines.
Dynamic Wrinkles:
These are the types of wrinkles that appear on your skin when you smile, laugh or squint, the moving facial muscles moves and cause dynamic wrinkles. A few examples of wrinkles are “crow’s feet” that appear on the corner of the eyes. Wrinkles may also appear on the forehead and in-between the eyebrows. The use of botox can substantially reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles.
Very Fine Lines and Wrinkles:
When the collagen in the skin thins out you notice fine lines and wrinkles on your skin. Collagen is the protein that lies just within the layers on the skin and is called collagen. Aging and overexposure to the sun reduce the collagen formation. When the Botulinum toxin injections are administered the appearance of fine lines reduces to a large extent.
How to Prepare Yourself for a Botox Treatment?
So, are you trying out Botox treatment? Then you have to follow certain points to make it successful. It is best you consult your doctor to estimate the potential reaction to the treatment and for good results that last long.
Before Botox Treatment:
Here are few tips to keep in mind to ensure a good and safe experience:
Very often it is the knowledge and experience of a seasoned doctor that can get you the results you want to see. Your doctor may ask you several questions before the administration of the treatment.
• Any particular supplements, medications, or herbs you are taking.
• Any kind of allergy that you may be particularly susceptible to.
• If you are suffering from any particular health conditions, illnesses or diseases.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
During Botox Treatment:
Here are a few tips you can follow to ensure a safe and good treatment experience.
• Without a scrap of makeup
Ensure you do not put on makeup when you arrive for the treatment. Your skin is cleaned thoroughly using alcohol or any antiseptic, so always show up for your Botox treatment au natural.
• Use an Ice Pack :
Use an icepack to reduce bruising before and during the treatment.
How does Botox Treatment Work?
The Botulinum toxin is used to inject in extremely small doses. The powder is first diluted in saline and then administered directly neuromuscular tissue. The Botulinum toxin takes at least 24-72 hours to take effect. In some cases, the effect of Botulinum toxin takes at least 5 days. It is advised that pregnant or lactating women or those susceptible to allergic reactions should avoid this treatment or at least go ahead only after a thorough evaluation by your doctor.
The Botulinum toxin stalls the signals from the nerve cells to reach the muscles. This stops the muscles from contracting, causing them to freeze or paralyze. After the muscles start to contract the nerves release chemical acetylcholine right at the point where the nerve endings meet the muscle cells. A chemical messenger by the name of Acetylcholine fixes itself to the receptors of the muscle cells, enabling the muscle cells to contract. The action of releasing the acetylcholine is restricted whilst the Botulinum toxin has been injected. This stops the muscle cells from contracting. The muscles are less stiff as the effect of the toxin helps the abnormal muscle contraction to reduce. The Botulinum toxin can be used in the Botox treatment to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and other facial lines appearing in older adults. The results of the treatment last for six months. Another effective treatment for fine lines is “Mesobotox.”
“Mesobotox” is a term used for the application of botulinum toxin with the help of papule needle injected into the dermis of the skin. The toxins used in this protocol is more dilute than the ones used traditionally for treating areas such as the glabellar. In some cases, mesotherapy products such as hyaluronic acid, are added to the mixture. It is not the injection of particular muscles but the treatment of large areas of the dermis used with dilute botulinum toxin. Mesobotox can be used successfully in people of all skin types.
Who is the Best Candidate for Botox?
What to know about Botox? And who is the ideal candidate for the same? The ideal candidate for the treatment is someone above the 18 years of age and is in excellent physical health. The effect of the treatment varies from person to person.
How to Care for Your Skin after Treatment?
Here are a few tips to consider after the treatment,
• Stop Treating the Area:
Stop touching the treated area for some time, any intentional massaging or rubbing the treated area may spread the effect of Botox to the surrounding muscles.
• Avoid Heavy Physical Activity :
It is important you avoid any form of arduous physical activity.
• Abstain from Alcohol :
Stay away from consuming alcohol at least for some time.
• No Chemical Peel :
What happens after a chemical peel?
Well, your skin becomes particularly sensitive so it is important to avoid the application of chemical peels at least 24 hours after the treatment.
• Consult your Doctor
If you experience any side effects it is important to call your doctor.
Some critics say Botox freezes the facial muscles and takes away the personality from your face, leaving your face with significantly less range of motions and your face does not express any emotions at all, such when you laugh, get angry or upset. But it is not exactly true, while it’s true that some of your movement will be restricted, however, a moderate amount of Botox will still allow freedom of movement and allow you to react and communicate in an enigmatic way. Results last for at least 4 to 6 months.
