Botox is one of the best-known names in non-surgical cosmetic procedures. These injections are as popular now as they were when the FDA first approved them — and it doesn’t look like that popularity will wane.
What exactly do Botox treatments offer, however? Learn more about these injections and whether you are a good candidate for them.
What Are Botox Injections?
Botox is a brand name for a drug made from the botulinum toxin. It is a neuromodulator, which means that it interrupts the signals your brain sends to your muscles to tell them to contract or tense up. These muscle movements are the cause of fine lines and wrinkles that can appear as you age.
To understand how Botox works, you need to know that collagen and elastin help keep your skin hydrated and flexible. Once you pass your 20s, collagen and elastin production decreases; every time you smile or frown, your skin cannot bounce back into place as it once did. This creates dynamic wrinkles that get more pronounced over time.
Botox injections temporarily block the signals your brain sends to the muscles at the injection sites, leaving your skin smoother.
Botox treatments can diminish the following wrinkles:
- Glabellar lines
- Crow’s feet
- Forehead lines
- Bunny lines
- Smile lines
- Chin lines
The best candidates are people who have dynamic wrinkles they would like to diminish and who are not allergic to the components of Botox.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a history of neuromuscular diseases, have very thick skin, or have muscle weakness in the injection sites, we will look for an alternative treatment option.
What Benefits Do Botox Injections Offer?
Aside from diminishing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, Botox can also prevent new ones from forming. It does this by teaching your muscles to be softer so that they contract less when you smile or frown.
Botox injections also do not require any downtime, letting you get back to your life right after your appointment. They are so convenient that many of our clients schedule their treatment over their lunch break.
These treatments also enhance your natural beauty. Botox does not change your facial structure but only smooths out the signs of aging.
Results from Botox are almost immediate, as well, letting you get the full benefits of the procedure for months at a time. Because it is less expensive than many other cosmetic treatments, you can get the injections when you need them.
Dos and Don’ts When Preparing for Botox
Do schedule an appointment with us. We want to assess the areas you want to treat to make certain Botox is the best option. During this consultation, remember to tell us about any experiences you have had with neurotoxins. We will get your full medical history, and please also tell us about the medications and supplements you take.
Don’t drink wine for at least a week before your appointment, and avoid anti-inflammatory or blood-thinning medications and supplements like ibuprofen, aspirin, ginseng, vitamin E, and fish oil.
Do stop smoking a few days before the injections.
Don’t get a chemical peel, suntan, or facial for at least a week before Botox injections.
Do exercise ahead of your appointment because we recommend you do not do anything that makes you sweat during the first hours after the injections.
What Is the Procedure Like?
On the day of your Botox treatment, you want to come to our clinic with a clean face. Don’t wear makeup or apply lotions or moisturizers. We will wash your face again to remove any oils before we begin the injections. We can use a topical anesthetic or ice to numb the treatment areas.
With very thin needles, we will inject Botox into the predetermined treatment areas. The entire procedure can take as little as ten minutes, and you can immediately return to your day.
Recovery Tips
Applying ice to the injection sites is a good idea, especially throughout the first few hours. Don’t massage, rub, or scratch at the areas, however.
If you get Botox injections between your brows, we recommend you don’t bend over or lie down for at least four hours. It is also a good idea to prop your head up with pillows for that first night.
We recommend you wait until the next day to exercise because strenuous activity can raise your blood pressure. We also suggest you stay out of the direct sun for the first couple of days and avoid going to saunas, hot tubs, or anything else that can raise your body temperature.
Use a gentle face cleanser for the first 24 hours. After that, you can return to your regular skincare routine. For the first day, avoid applying makeup to the treatment areas.
Most people see results within one to two days. These results can last for four to five months. During your first consultation, we will put together a treatment plan if you would like to get regular injections to prevent new wrinkles from appearing.
Diminish Wrinkles with Botox Injections
Botox can allow you to get smoother, younger-looking skin by softening your facial muscles. Because Botox can also teach your muscles how to tense more gently, it is an option that works to prevent wrinkles and fine lines as well as diminish them.
At SkinMD Seattle in Seattle, WA, we offer Botox injections for people who want to look younger without turning to invasive procedures. Our team of experts is here to answer all of the questions you may have about Botox. Schedule an appointment today to get started!
