Everything You Need to Know About Botox

Maybe you've thought about using it before, but aren't too sure if it is right for you. Everyone has heard about the age-defying treatment - Botox - but many people don't know what it is exactly, what it can be used for and what type of results can be expected. Botox is an exceptional treatment that can help remove years of age from your image by reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. If you've been considering Botox because of its youth-boosting abilities but are wary of the treatment because you don't know enough about what it entails, continue reading below to read everything you need to know about Botox.

What Is Botox?

Botox is a neuromodulator that paralyzes muscle movement. The neuromodulator's active ingredient is botulinum toxin Type A, which prevents the release of acetylcholine in a muscle, a neurotransmitter that stimulates muscle contractions. The type of wrinkles and lines that Botox helps correct is known as dynamic wrinkles. These types of wrinkles are common to everybody and become particularly more noticeable as you age. Dynamic wrinkles are caused by frequent facial movements throughout the course of your life. Lines that run along your forehead, that '11' between your eyebrows and the line near the corners of your eyes, known as 'crow's feet,' are all examples of dynamic wrinkles. These wrinkles result from the neurotransmitter acetylcholine causing your facial muscles to contract, resulting in your skin folding in on itself. Although this is a common cosmetic concern for everybody, it can be disheartening because dynamic wrinkles are the sign of an aged image.By utilizing the neuromodulator Botox, the appearance of your dynamic wrinkles can be reduced a significant amount. Botox will prevent your muscles from releasing acetylcholine when introduced to your muscles, causing your skin not to fold. 

What Is Botox Used for?

Botox is an exceptional treatment that is often used for treating cosmetic concerns such as fine lines and wrinkles. However, the neuromodulator is functional and can be utilized to treat both cosmetic and medical issues. Originally, Botox was FDA-approved in 1989 to treat eyelid muscle spasms, but it was soon discovered that the unique treatment did more than just relax muscle spasms. It relaxed the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles too. In 2002, Botox was approved as an aesthetic treatment. Aside from eyelid muscle spasms and fine lines and wrinkles, Botox is also used for:

Excessive sweating

Botox can temporarily treat hyperhidrosis, a condition that causes excessive sweating. This condition can be embarrassing for those that suffer from it as excessive sweating can be common regardless of the situation. Even while simply sitting in a cold room on a cold day, a person living with hyperhidrosis will likely sweat. Sweating can be frequent in the armpits, hands, feet, head and face. With a Botox injection, excessive sweating can be less of a concern. Botox has the potential to decrease sweat concerns by as much as 87 percent. 

Chronic migraines

Botox became approved to treat chronic migraines in 2010. The neuromodulator can be administered into the temples on the back of the neck or at the head's base, which will relax the muscles and make the pain commonly associated with chronic migraines more manageable. Botox can also be injected into the forehead, where a lot of head tension can arise. Botox can make severe pain in the head that chronic migraines cause subside.

Crossed eyes

Botox was also approved to treat crossed eyes, known as strabismus, when initially FDA-approved. Crossed eyes are an issue that can be present at birth or can develop after some form of trauma. With Botox, a person with crossed eyes can relax their eye muscles to undo the crossing. Crossed eyes are often correct through a surgical procedure, but Botox can be performed before surgery to see if surgical intervention is necessary. 

A hoarse, shaky voice

Spasmodic dysphonia is a condition where the vocal cords are hoarse or shaky. The neurological condition results when the brain receives abnormal signals, which causes shaking in the vocal cords. Botox can be injected into the vocal cords to lessen these abnormal signals, making the vocal cords smoother and spasmodic dysphonia's voice. 

Drooling

Botox is an ideal solution for hypersalivation. The condition that results in the salivary glands producing an excess amount of saliva can be corrected by injecting Botox into the glands, which will paralyze them and prevent them from over-producing saliva.

Cervical dystonia

Cervical dystonia is a condition in which the neck muscles contract involuntarily and can potentially cause the head to move forward or backward abruptly. The condition can be painful for a sufferer. Thankfully, Botox can correct the condition. Botox can significantly reduce the severity of an abnormal head position and neck pain.

Discomfort in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

TMJ, a condition in which facial pain and difficulty moving the temporomandibular joint, located in the lower jaw, can be corrected with Botox. Botox can significantly reduce pain in the facial muscles and lower lockjaw chances due to TMJ.

How Long Does Botox Last?

When treating cosmetic concerns, such as fine lines and wrinkles, Botox lasts for approximately four to six months. For medical conditions, Botox lasts for two to three months. There are certain factors, however, that can determine the efficacy of your Botox injection. When used to treat lines and wrinkles, your age, skin elasticity and wrinkle depth can affect how long your results will last. For deep wrinkles, Botox can reduce their appearance but will not completely rid your skin of them, and the effects will wear off quicker. It's become increasingly popular for people to use Botox as a preventative measure in recent years. Instead of treating wrinkles after forming, Botox can be used before dynamic wrinkles develop into something more noticeable. Botox can be used on a younger generation to stave off wrinkles and an older generation to improve the appearance of wrinkles. Botox can be performed at regular intervals to help maintain your results. Depending on how long your results last, Botox can be injected again. Typically, injections are spaced three months apart. How many Botox units are used initially depends on the amount of work needed on your wrinkles and their location. However, if Botox is performed at regular intervals, fewer injections will gradually need to be used. Because Botox is paralyzing your facial muscles, it is effectively causing them to become smaller and shorter, meaning fewer injections. Botox offers temporary results, but your results can be long-lasting if performed regularly.Botox is a treatment that has many benefits. The functional neuromodulator can be used to smooth your skin of fine lines and wrinkles or be used for medical purposes by reducing the pain often associated with chronic migraines or by relieving armpits of excessive sweating, among other conditions. If you are a resident of Sacramento, CA, and struggle with any of these, please contact Aesthetic Envy med spa clinic or call us at 916-333-4906 . Our Botox provider can assess your concerns and determine if Botox is right for you.