Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of Botox and know that it is a treatment most commonly used for wrinkles in the face.
Today, more than ever, Botox has soared in popularity…even among younger men and women. Perhaps the reason is because it is minimally invasive and much more cost effective than its more intense anti-aging counterparts.
In fact, studies show that people are rushing to receive minimally invasive procedures — with a 200 percent increase in these types of treatments since the year 2000.
But how does Botox work and can it help you look younger? Read on for more
WHAT IS BOTOX?
Botox is the first in its class of drugs known as neuromodulators, and is a protein that temporarily stops muscle contraction, thus, stopping the formation of wrinkles where injected.
People like Botox both because it provides an effective nonsurgical fix for smoothing out wrinkles, while also improving the appearance of wrinkles over time. Also, there is no downtime and minimal (if any) pain with Botox injections, with results developed in as little as several days to two weeks.
Botox can be used to treat facial wrinkles in a variety of areas, including frown lines, crow’s feet, forehead lines and neck bands, and it can also be used to treat TMJ and excessive sweating under the arms.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING YOUR BOTOX APPOINTMENT?
Botox treatments and fairly quick and most patients find them painless — topical anesthetic is not typically needed. During your appointment, Dr. Andrew will listen to your concerns and make recommendations as to where you should have Botox injected, and how much of it. He always ensures that he explains the treatment from start to finish.
The injections themselves are done with a very small needle and are virtually painless. Dr. Andrew’s patients often note that he has a gentle had and that they can hardly feel an injection at all.
You should take care not to drink alcoholic beverages before your appointment and avoid anti-inflammatory drugs for several days prior to your appointment to help reduce the risk of bruising. You can go back to your regular activities following your treatment. There is no down time and if bruising occurs, it can be easily covered with makeup. The best part? Botox can last up to 3-4 months.