Botox
Botox is a popular cosmetic treatment that reduces signs of aging, including fine lines and wrinkles. This injectable treatment is widely available at medical day spas, wellness clinics, and cosmetic and plastic surgery centers. Continue reading to learn more about what Botox is, how it works, and whether you’re an ideal candidate for this cosmetic procedure.
What Is Botox?
What Can Botox Treat?
Botox is most commonly used to reduce signs of aging on the face, particularly fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and mouth. Other areas of the face that can be treated with Botox include the forehead, chin, jaw, neck, underarms, and area between the brows.
Botox can also be used to treat certain medical conditions that are unrelated to physical signs of aging. Medical conditions that may be treated or improved with Botox include migraine, and muscle contractures. It can also treat an excessive sweating condition called hyperhidrosis.
If you’re interested in getting Botox but aren’t sure whether it can effectively address your medical condition or improve signs of aging, make an appointment with Dr. F. Ryan Wermeling. He will evaluate your skin and medical history to determine whether Botox is ideal for you.
How Does Botox Work?
The active ingredient in Botox blocks signals from your nerves to your muscles. This causes the muscles to relax and soften, preventing them from contracting and contributing to fine lines and wrinkles.
The effects of Botox are temporary, which typically last three to four month. You may have to visit the visit Dr. Wermeling to receive additional injections and maintain your results. However, you can take steps to extend the results of your Botox treatment if you are receiving the injections to reduce signs of aging.
These steps include reducing your exposure to sunlight, exercising regularly, and eating healthy foods that contain high amounts of nutrients like vitamins and antioxidants. Behaviors such as these can help your skin look youthful and more hydrated to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
What Happens During a Botox Procedure?
Botox treatment usually only takes a few minutes. It involves receiving a small series of injections into parts of your face that are showing signs of aging. Appointments usually take no more than 15 minutes, which can make it easy for you to get injections at convenient times during the day and resume most usual activities afterward.
First, Dr. Wermeling will talk to you about the parts of your face you want treated with Botox. Then, he will use a tiny, ultra-fine needle to administer the Botox into those areas. Botox injections produce minimal discomfort and require no anesthesia.
After your injections, Dr. Wermeling will usually apply a cold compress to the treated areas to reduce any redness or soreness caused by the injections. Then, you can resume most activities immediately without any downtime.
You will get a specific set of instructions regarding what you can and can’t do during the first 24 hours following treatment. In most cases, you’ll be asked to avoid rubbing the treated areas and to avoid strenuous exercise, tanning beds, direct sunlight exposure, and high temperatures such as that in a sauna or hot tub. These activities may compromise your results and make them less noticeable or effective.
Who Are Ideal Candidates for Botox?
Any man or woman who wants to reverse signs of aging and achieve a more youthful appearance may be considered an ideal candidate for Botox. Patients need to be at least 18 years of age and in good physical health. Patients are also required to have realistic expectations regarding what Botox can and cannot do for their skin and overall appearance.
Certain people may be advised not to get Botox, such as those with a neuromuscular disease, facial muscle weakness, and women who are pregnant or nursing. The Botox injectionist can help you determine whether you’re an ideal candidate for this procedure based on your medical history.