Although Botox began as a medical treatment for optic muscle disorders, decades later it has quickly spiraled into the most sought after cosmetic procedure available. Simple injections introduce the substance to underlying muscle, causing a paralysis of movement that occurs when a nerve signal is not delivered to the intended muscle. When the muscles of the face do not move, wrinkles are unable to form. Botox treats a variety of physical issues including eye spasms, eye coordination, perspiration of the underarms, and most popularly lines and wrinkles throughout the face. The full results of the injections are apparent after one week, and remain for at least three months.
Patients who receive Botox injections for lines and wrinkles are generally aged thirty-five to sixty years of age. Simple injections can eliminate nearly the entire presence of creases in the face. To maintain the results of Botox, patients will need to receive injections every three to six months.
Receiving Botox Injections
Before a patient undergoes Botox injections, the areas of the face to be treated are marked with a special pencil or ink. A single crease in the face may require a number of injections, and each area is treated with an antiseptic. Botox injections vary in amount, which will be determined by the doctor before or at the time of the procedure.
Dr. Gentile, an experienced facial plastic surgeon, generally injects patients with Botox in his Youngstown, Ohio and Akron offices. Much like injections your primary care physician administers, Botox injections are nearly pain-free and do not require anesthesia. A topical numbing cream or ice pack may be applied to the face before a patient receives the cosmetic injections. Generally, this non-invasive procedure takes less than twenty minutes and patients are free to return to their daily activities following treatment.
After the Treatment
Botox injections are very effective in temporarily treating lines, wrinkles, and other physical issues that stem from minor muscle use. Some patients experience side effects that resemble flu symptoms, including nausea and headache. It is also possible for the muscles to weaken for a short while, or cause either eyelid to sag. Days later, these symptoms should resolve, but it can take months following the Botox injections. Botox patients are advised to avoid sun exposure until directed otherwise, and report unusual symptoms to Dr. Gentile.
Alternatives or Additions to Botox
If you prefer to explore minimally invasive cosmetic options other than Botox, there are other facial injections that can benefit your skin with similar results. Injectable fillers such as Juvederm Restylane or Radiesse do not prevent muscle movement, however they are injected into creases to plump up sunken skin. There are numerous injectable filler materials, which are also used to increase fullness in the lips and cheeks, and make scars less noticeable. These multi-tasking substances pose low risks and instances for side effects.
Some patients with more progressive signs of aging may opt to receive more invasive procedures, such as a brow lift or a facelift. In other cases, Botox injections are just one part of a treatment plan to combat facial maturity. Dr. Gentile may also suggest that such patients additionally receive a laser skin resurfacing treatment, a chemical peel, or microneedling including the most advanced technology for fractionated microneedling with RadioFrequency for the greatest skin improvements.
