what is botox?
Botox injections are noted primarily for reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles. They are also used in treating conditions such as neck spasms, excessive sweating, overactive bladder, and lazy eye. Botox injections may also help prevent chronic migraines.
Other uses
- Chronic migraine. If you experience migraines more than 15 days a month, Botox injections may help reduce headache frequency.
- Eye twitching. Botox injections may help relieve contracture or twitching of muscles around the eye.
How does it work?
Botox is a neurotoxin. These substances target the nervous system, disrupting the nerve signaling processes that stimulate muscle contraction. This is how the drug causes temporary muscle paralysis.
For any muscle to contract, the nerves release a chemical messenger called acetylcholine at the junction where nerve endings meet muscle cells. Acetylcholine attaches to receptors on the muscle cells and causes the cells to contract or shorten.
Botox injections prevent the release of acetylcholine, which stops the muscle cells from contracting.
who cannot have botox injections?
In certain circumstances, botulinum toxin injections are not recommended, including if:
- You have a skin infection at the injection site
- You have a neuromuscular condition like myasthenia gravis
- You’re pregnant or breastfeeding
who should give botox injections?
Botox must be used only under a doctor’s care. Injections must be placed precisely to avoid side effects.
A skilled and properly certified doctor can advise you on the procedure and help determine if it best suits your needs and health.
How do you prepare for it?
A consultation with your Doctor is required to assess and prepare you for your injections.
It is important to tell your Doctor if you have any health conditions or allergies or f you are on any medications.
during the procedure
Most people don’t feel much discomfort during the procedure. But you may want your skin numbed beforehand, especially if your palms or soles are being treated for excessive sweating.
Your face will be cleaned, and medication will be injected into the muscles in your face using a very fine needle.
You may need injections in different places, depending on the treated area. The practitioner will ask you to move the muscles in your face to help find the best place for the injections.
The numbing may take up to 30 minutes, while the Botox injection takes up to 15 minutes.
after the procedure
Do not rub or massage the treated areas for 24 hours. This may prevent the toxin from spreading to a different area. You can return to your normal activities right after the procedure.
results
Botox injections usually begin working one to three days after treatment. Depending on the problem being treated, the effect may last three months or longer. To maintain the result, you’ll need regular follow-up injections.
afterwards
You will not see a change straight away. It takes about 2 or 3 days to start working, and 2 to 3 weeks to see the full effect.
Do not massage or rub your face for 3 days. Also, avoid vigorous exercise, sunbathing (including using sunbeds), and the sauna for 2 days. Your practitioner should be able to give you more advice about what you should and should not do.
The effects usually last for about 3 or 4 months. If you have botulinum toxin injections again, you should wait at least 3 months. It might stop working if you have it too often.
risks
The risks of botulinum toxin injections are small if it’s done correctly by a suitably qualified practitioner
After treatment you may have:
- A headache and flu-like symptoms for the first 24 hours
- Bruising, swelling, and redness where the needles went into the skin
- A frozen look – you might not be able to move the muscles in your face if too much botulinum toxin is injected
- Temporary weakness and droopiness in your face – for example, your eyelids or eyebrows may droop if the botulinum toxin moves into these areas
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