What is Botox?
Botulinum toxin type A is derived from bacterium Clostridium botulinum that blocks nerve activity in the muscles and causes botulism. This Botulinum toxin type A is commonly known as Botox that is used to treat many muscle deformities like muscle spasms in the upper and lower limbs as well as certain spasms in the neck.
For cosmetic purposes, Botox is used to temporarily clear wrinkles and fine lines. Apart from its cosmetic use, it is also used to treat conditions that are caused by nerve disorders like overactive bladder, uncontrolled blinking and chronic migraines.
How Botox work?
Once the Botox is injected in the skin, it inhibits the nerve signals to the muscles that cause movement especially contractions. This relaxes and softens the wrinkled area and makes the fine lines and saggy skin tight and wrinkleless. It can help forehead lines, wrinkles around the eyes (crow’s feet) and frown lines. Botox is not used for lip augmentation, for that lip injections are applied.
Is Botox administered with anesthesia?
For performing the Botox procedure usually there is no need for administering any numbing injectable like anesthesia. The whole process uses fine needles that injects the material into the specific muscles that causes minor discomfort. At least two weeks prior to the procedure the candidate is asked not to take any blood thinning medications. It is advised to stay away from alcoholic beverages for at least three to seven days after the procedure.
Side Effects of Botox
- Headache
- Temporary Bruising
- Mild Nausea
- Droopy Eye (rare)
- Allergic Reaction (rare)
- Muscle Weakness (rare)
Am I a good candidate for Botox?
You are not a good candidate for opting Botox if you’re any of the following things:
- Pregnant
- Breastfeeding
- Have any neurological disorder