Botox® Cosmetic treatments are a popular, modern, anti-aging solution. The product has been in demand since it was discovered as a way to reduce wrinkles in the forehead. It is now used for crows feet around the eyes, neck bands and other general wrinkles.
Reducing wrinkles can give a boost to a person’s self-confidence, of course. In addition, skin can appear softer and smoother with Botox® treatments. When Botox® is injected by an experienced provider such as Dr. Shah, you can get a natural look – one that still allows you to have expression. You won’t likely experience the so-called, ‘frozen’ face that is sometimes shown on T.V. as a joke, or a mishap.
Botox® Cosmetic has uses other than merely reducing wrinkles. It has been used since 1977 for conditions like eye twitching. It can help with severe migraine headaches. And, it can reduce perspiration from sweat glands. Keep reading to learn more about the wonders of Botox® Cosmetic!
What is there to love about Botox® Cosmetic?
Botox® Cosmetic is an extremely popular product used in the beauty and medical industries. It is widely sought after for the following reasons:
- It gives near-immediate results with very short procedure times. It’s often called the “lunchtime procedure.” This is because it is very much an ‘in-and-out’ fix for wrinkles or other medical issues (like hyperhidrosis, migraines or muscle pain).
- The downtime and side effects of Botox® are minimal to nil. With careful dosing, in a sterile setting, and with proper care afterwards, most patients are back to normal life within minutes, literally.
- It is a non-invasive and relatively inexpensive procedure compared to surgical solutions.
- It requires no anaesthetic or pain killers during treatments. The injections are quick and not uncomfortable for most people.
In addition, Botox® Cosmetic can be used as a supplement, or enhancement, to other beauty procedures. For example, if used with other dermal fillers, it can provide a facial, “soft lift.” It can also be used alongside surgical enhancements.
Despite the seeming ‘ease’ of Botox® use mentioned above, we should emphasize that it is still a medical-grade treatment. It should always be performed by a medical professional. Serious side effects, bodily dangers, or even just plain scams can occur when it’s not injected professionally.
What can Botox® Cosmetic injections help to treat?
Botox® is used on both men and women. It can treat the following aesthetic and medical conditions, which (you’ll notice) are all related to muscle contractions in the body:
- Deep wrinkles and lines around the face (eyes, brow lines, crows feet, etc.)
- Migraine headaches
- Jaw pain from clenching
- Undesired jaw and chin shape
- Neck spasms or loss of control in the neck (cervical dystonia)
- Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) in the palms of hands and feet, underarms
- Lazy eye (strabismus)
- Eye twitching (blepharospasm)
- Muscle contractions and other forms of chronic pain
- Bladder dysfunction (for an overactive bladder resulting in leaks)
How does Botox® work for wrinkles and sweating?
Botox® is the trade name for a diluted, injectable botulinum toxin that inhibits muscle movement. Specifically, the solution is called onabotulinumtoxinA. Other forms of the same neurotoxic protein are found in brand name beauty products such as of Dysport® and Xeomin®. These work in a similar, but different ways, and with different dosages.
Botox® works by blocking the nerve impulses that control muscle contractions. It is effective only in the areas that it is injected into. It does not affect your ability to feel sensations, as those nerves are different than your muscle reaction nerves.
Precise, and varying dosages are needed for different conditions treated by Botox®.
During a treatment, you’ll be asked to contract and relax muscles in the area you want smoothed or relaxed. This will help the doctor determine the injection sites, to give you the results you want. The injection of Botox® can be done in about 10 minutes. A small, sterile needle is used to insert the solution in small amounts around the area to be treated.
No anaesthetic is required for this treatment. A cold compress may be used to help patients with any sensitivity or discomfort. However, this is not generally needed.
How many Botox® treatments does it take to see results?
Botox® Cosmetic is not a permanent solution to any of the conditions it treats. For wrinkles, it generally lasts around 3 to 4 months. However, this can differ between people, both because of genetics, and preferences. Some people choose to get treatments every 5 to 6 months, for instance. Generally, it can be every 4 to 5 months for the following types of Botox® treatments:
- Sweating
- Migraines, muscle contractions and pain treatments
- Eye twitching and lazy eye
- Bladder dysfunction
While results can been seen within a few days, it can take up to a week to see the full effects of Botox® Cosmetic after a treatment session.
Is there downtime after Botox® Cosmetic treatments? What about side effects?
There is usually very little, if not zero downtime from a Botox® Cosmetic treatment. Most people return to their normal, daily activities immediately after injections. At most, doctors may recommend no exercise for 24 hours after the session, and not laying down for a few hours immediately after. You should not take painkillers or blood thinners close to the time of a Botox® injection (before or after). This is to avoid bruising. There should be no touching or rubbing for a few days either!
However, different people can react differently to the Botox® solution. For that reason, we encourage you to read about the possible side effects listed on the product’s dedicated website: http://www.botox.com/
If a patient experiences any side effects, like bruising or some paralysis at the injection sites, these are usually temporary. We have a doctor on staff who can help you with any complications that may arise (though this is rare).
This anti-aging treatment should always be performed by a professional – preferably one trained in the medical industry (such as a doctor or nurse, when a doctor is present). We would advise against any ‘bargain’ deals for Botox® injections. There are counterfeits out there, which should be avoided at all costs. Knowledge about the dilution, dosage, sterility and application of this agent are very important for both patient safety, and effectiveness. At our skincare and laser clinic in Surrey, Botox® is only injected by doctors. We only use the brand-name product, which comes directly from Allergan, the makers of Botox®.
While the pure form of botulinum toxin type A can be fatal, the cosmetic version is very diluted, adapted and used safely in many applications. Botox® is also approved by the FDA in the United States.
No one outside the ages of 18 to 65 should have a Botox® Cosmetic treatment.
Before treatment, we will ask you to come in for a consultation at our clinic. During this time it will be important to let us know about your entire medical history before receiving any treatments from us. We will also be able to let you know about other possible solutions to the conditions you want to treat.
What is the cost of Botox® injections at your skin clinic?
Botox® Cosmetic, like other wrinkle relaxers, are often estimated by “units.” This is a term for the measurement of the solution to be injected. It affects the pricing of what you’ll need injected for your case.
At our skincare and laser clinic in Surrey, one treatment session costs a minimum of $275 (this is quite standard, if not low, for a brand-name procedure performed at a medically-run clinic). Our Botox® price also covers service time, equipment and medical expertise, in addition to the product itself.
While a consultation will be needed to determine how many units are required for your case, we can give general estimates below. Typical units used on different parts of the face are as follows:
- Forehead lines: 10-40 units
- Frown lines around the mouth: 20-50 units
- ‘Crows feet’ at the corner of eyes: 15-30 units
- ‘Bunny lines’ at the top of the nose: 5-15 units
The number of units required can also depend on the number and depth of your wrinkles, as well as the final result desired.
Hyperhidrosis treatments can take as many as 100-200 units. However, since some insurance companies cover this as a medical treatment (and not cosmetic), the estimating and prescription costs must be calculated differently. We are able to provide the prescription and treatment receipts in one sitting for patients who require this for insurance purposes.
