BOTOX®
Why skin ages
Skin changes with age. It loses water and hence elasticity. But this is not the only reason for the wrinkles to show up. With time, collagen in the skin starts depleting, hormonal balance changes and our skin is being damaged by free radicals. These factors cause skin aging and lines to appear.
Besides, we show all our emotions with our face. We laugh when we are happy, we put our brows together when we are angry or upset, we cry when we feel sad. These all require facial muscle movements. With time there is a huge amount of such movements and finally the skin produces wrinkles at the sites of usual facial muscle movements. Folds that show up between our brows are actually a result of continuous muscle movements. While wrinkles are normal, defining features of the human face, they can sometimes falsely portray a tired or more aged appearance. It is particularly effective in reducing glabellar frown lines, horizontal forehead lines and wrinkles extending laterally from the periorbital area. Over time, these wrinkles and lines become deeper and more permanent.
How Do You Get Wrinkles?
We develop two types of wrinkles on our faces:
- Dynamic Wrinkles – We are born with dynamic wrinkles, which are associated with the muscles we use for facial expression. As we continuously use our facial muscles to smile, laugh and squint, mild wrinkles appear when we are young, but they become deeper and more noticeable as we grow older. The most common areas where we develop dynamic wrinkles are around the lips, the corners of the eyelids (where the wrinkles are known as crows’ feet), between the eyebrows, and on the forehead. These wrinkles often make people look older and more tired than they actually are. BOTOX can be used to treat these dynamic wrinkles and make them less noticeable.
- Crèpe-Paper Wrinkles – Crèpe-paper wrinkles are caused by sun exposure and aging. As we age or are repeatedly exposed to the sun, collagen (the protein substance found just beneath and within the deep layers of the skin) begins to thin, causing facial skin to stretch and sag. Unfortunately, BOTOX cannot treat crèpe-paper wrinkles. However, there are other procedures that may be used to reduce the appearance of crèpe-paper wrinkles.
How Does BOTOX Work?
Botulinum toxin (brand name BOTOX®) is extracted from the bacteria Clostridia botulinum. It is produced in controlled laboratory conditions and given extremely small therapeutic doses; also used for symptomatic relief of blepharospasms, neck spasms and severe ees (underarm sweating). Now it is used as a safe and effective way to reduce facial wrinkles without surgery.
BOTOX is targeted directly at the facial muscles that are causing dynamic wrinkles to form. The BOTOX protein injection blocks transmission from the nerve ending to the muscle. As a result, the muscle relaxes, significantly reducing the appearance of wrinkles and muscles on the skin above that muscle. This blocking effect on the nerves usually lasts an average of three to six months, at which time the muscle regains movement and wrinkles reappear. It is a therapeutic muscle-relaxing agent that works at nerve endings (nerves that lead to muscles). Normally your brain sends electrical messages to muscle so that they can contract and move. The electrical message is transmitted to the muscle by a substance called acetylcholine and, as a result, the muscle doesn’t receive the message..
When does BOTOX® start to work?
Usually you will see the effects within three days. The maximum benefit is reached in one or two weeks.
How Is BOTOX Administered?
Using a very fine needle, your doctor injects the BOTOX directly into the targeted facial muscles. This causes the muscle to become temporarily paralysed, which softens lines and contours. Several injections are usually needed at specific sites, depending on the area being treated.
A topical anesthetic cream may be applied to your skin to decrease the sensation of the injection; you should discuss this option with your doctor beforehand. BOTOX treatments take only a few minutes and are given during a typical office visit. You should be able to return to your normal activities immediately.
The effects of BOTOX-induced muscle relaxation begin to occur within about three days. By the end of the first week, you will probably notice a significant reduction of fine lines and wrinkles around the treated areas. Repeat injections of BOTOX may be given after the effects wear off.
Are You a Good Candidate for BOTOX?
The best candidates for BOTOX treatments are people who are physically healthy, with no history of neuromuscular diseases (such as multiple sclerosis or myasthenia gravis), who are not pregnant or nursing, and who are at least 18 years old. Some people who should not have BOTOX treatments include those with:
- Existing weakness in the targeted muscles
- Ptosis (drooping eyelids)
- Deep facial scars
- Very thick facial skin
- Marked facial asymmetry
- Skin disorders around the planned injection sites
You should inform your doctor of your medical history and all medications, vitamins and/or herbal supplements you are currently taking before having BOTOX treatments.
It is important to remember that the level of improvement in the appearance of wrinkles after BOTOX treatments can vary among patients. Some people respond better to BOTOX than others. Occasionally there is little improvement and another form of treatment may be recommended. It is important to discuss your situation and your expectations with your doctor.
Understanding the Risks, Complications and Side Effects
BOTOX is a toxin and can be potent in high concentrations. Only small, diluted amounts of BOTOX are used in treatments to reduce facial wrinkles.
The most common side effects are headache and temporary redness or bruising of the skin at the injection site. Bruising appears to be more common in patients taking aspirin or blood-thinning medicines. These medicines should be avoided if possible for a few days before treatment. Occasionally, some people might experience temporary eye irritation or tearing after BOTOX treatments.
More serious complications are rare but possible. There is a chance that non-targeted muscles could be affected and weakened. This could cause drooping of the eyelid (ptosis) if BOTOX seeps below the eyebrow and into the muscle that controls eyelid function. Though the effect is not permanent and will eventually go away as the BOTOX wears off, drooping eyelids may temporarily obstruct your ability to see.
In order to help reduce the possibility of side effects, your doctor may recommend that you use lubricating eye drops, gel or ointment for a period of time after treatment. You may also be instructed to:
- Sit upright and do not lie down for at least four hours after treatment
- Avoid pressing on or massaging the treated area for four hours
- Avoid exercising for 24 hours following treatment
Why Is It So Important To Repeat Your Botox Injections?
When your Botox is not repeated and your muscles start “overacting” again, the collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin will again be depleted from that fold and the line will deepen again. Eventually it forms a ‘skin crack’ which ultimately can only be filled up with a medical cosmetic filler like collagen or cross linked hyaluronic acid. If your Botox is repeated before the muscle starts causing folds again, collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin will continue to fill the skin line and ultimately your lines will disappear!
How Long Does the Effect Last?
Given its unique mechanism of action BOTOX® offers sustained relieve, dose after dose, over the course of long term treatment. The relief you will feel from a single treatment of BOTOX® will normally be sustained for approximately three months. You will notice a gradual fading of its effects. At this point (after 4 – 6 months) you will return to your doctor for your next treatment.
How Long can I be Treated with BOTOX®?
Treatment with BOTOX® can typically be repeated indefinitely. BOTOX® has been used for over 10 years worldwide. Acceptable safety in long-term treatment has been established.
