Botulinum A Injections
Botulinum toxin (BTX) (Brand name: Botox & Dysport)
Is a neuromodulator and a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles
In cosmetic applications, injection of BTX is used to improve the look of moderate to severe frown lines, crow’s feet lines and horizontal forehead lines.
It is also used to treat the symptoms of severe underarm and palm sweating.
What is botulinum toxin (BTX)?
Adults are living longer than ever before. We feel vital, we’re active and we want our bodies to mirror youthful minds and hearts. Enter BTX, one of the most important substances to hit the field of facial rejuvenation. Short of a surgical facelift, this substance is the most popular way to reduce facial wrinkles. BTX can be used as a wrinkle treatment to smooth:
- Frown lines
- Crows feet
- Forehead furrows
- Skin bands on the neck
Smiling, frowning, squinting and even chewing – basically any facial movement can eventually lead to one of the most common signs of aging: wrinkles. They can make you appear tired or even angry when you are not. One of the quickest and safest remedies to remove wrinkles is an injection of BTX.
BTX is a purified substances, derived from a bacteria. Injections of this substance blocks muscular nerve signals, which then weakens the muscle so that it can’t contract and diminishes your unwanted facial wrinkles.
BTX can be combined with other cosmetic skin procedures such as chemical peels, dermal fillers or microdermabrasion to further improve your results. This combination of therapies can even help to prevent the formation of new lines and wrinkles.
Here’s how it works
Injections of BTX may seem like a simple procedure to you, since it’s just a few shots. But it’s actually both an art and science that only an experienced healthcare professional should do.
There are 43 muscles in your face and it’s vital that the person who performs BTX injections understands and pinpoints the correct spots to optimize your treatment.
A very thin needle is used to inject small amounts of BTX into specific muscles. By carefully choosing specific muscles, your healthcare provider weakens only the wrinkle-producing muscles, preserving your natural facial expressions.
BTX treatment injections usually take less than 15 minutes. The number of injections you need will depend on multiple factors, including your facial features and the extent of your wrinkles. Crow’s feet, for example, usually demand two to three injections. Furrows above your brow could take five or more.
No anesthesia is required. There is no down time or recovery time.
You may notice results within a few days, but it can take up to a week to see the full effect. This improvement typically lasts about three to four months. When the effects of BTX begin to fade, your muscle reactions and the wrinkles will return.
Special considerations, risks and recovery
You may resume normal activities immediately. One note of caution: Don’t rub or massage the treated areas after the wrinkle treatment because it can cause the BTX to migrate to another area of your face. If this happens, you could have temporary facial weakness or drooping.
Although generally safe, side effects and complications can include:
Brusing and pain at the injection site
Redness
Headache
Flu-like symptoms
Nausea
Temporary facial weakness or drooping
Very rarely, the toxin can spread beyond the treatment area, which can cause botulism-like signs and symptoms such as breathing problems, trouble swallowing, muscle weakness and slurred speech.