BOTOX is one of the first injectable treatments people think of when they start noticing troubling signs of aging, and it has been for some time. This Mother of All Injectables has been one of the most popular anti-aging treatments in history. It represented the shift from surgery-or-no-surgery to more convenient, less invasive treatment options for people of all ages. Every year, we meet new patients who are interested in seeing what BOTOX can do for them. If you’re getting set to schedule your first BOTOX treatment, you want to know a few things first. We’ll cover them here.
How BOTOX Works
The way that BOTOX works is by incapacitating certain muscles targeted via injections. It is categorized as a neuromodulator, meaning that it inhibits the transmission of certain neurochemicals to achieve a specific outcome. In this instance, the desired outcome is to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles are the lines that appear when we make facial expressions like smiling or squinting or frowning. When we are younger and have more elasticity and firmness to the skin, dynamic wrinkles disappear when the face is at rest. Repeated muscle movements cause them to etch themselves in the skin. So, by restricting the movement of offending muscles, BOTOX smooths the skin.
The Benefits of BOTOX
The biggest benefit of BOTOX is that this cosmetic injectable is convenient. It does not require downtime and is associated with very few side effects. Patients can immediately resume most normal activities after receiving BOTOX injections and can feel confident in the high safety rating this product has enjoyed for years. The side effects that are most likely to occur include minor swelling and redness at injection sites. Some patients may develop a slight headache or flu-like symptoms, but these usually subside within a day or two. The beautiful results that BOTOX provide build gradually over 5 to 7 days. From that point, they can last 3 to 6 months.
Is BOTOX Painful?
If you’ve been thinking about getting BOTOX but aren’t completely in the know about the pain you might experience, chances are you’re procrastinating. BOTOX injections are performed with such a tiny needle that pain is very subtle. While the product is injected into muscle tissue, the muscles that we target are superficial. The needle only enters the very top layers of tissue to reach their intended depth. So, do BOTOX injections hurt? No. Aside from the tiny pinch of the needle, you won’t feel anything. The product does not sting or burn as it gets absorbed. And the process is done in 15 minutes or less.
The Takeaway
BOTOX is a safe and effective way to reduce the wrinkles that make you look older than you feel. Injections can correct crow’s feet, frown lines, horizontal forehead lines, and can even lift a descending brow. If you’d like to see what BOTOX can do for you, contact our Austin office at (512) 450-1077 and schedule a visit!
