With all the hype and insanity over people getting Botox injections for everything from a sagging chin to a droopy eyelid, one has to wonder just what it is that Botox does and how exactly does it work?
Only BOTOX® Cosmetic is FDA-approved to temporarily make moderate to severe
frown lines, crow's feet, and forehead lines look better in adults.
To understand exactly what Botox is and what it does, we first have to look at just how this amazing miracle of modern science came to be.
Botulinum toxins, which are what Botox basically comes from, were first researched back in the good old 60s during the hippie era. Originally the purpose of this was to treat neurological disorders. In 1989 Botox was finally approved by the FDA to treat eye muscle disorders like blepharospasm, uncontrollable blinking, strabismus, crossed eyes and even wrinkles. In the year 2000 it was approved to treat cervical dystonia. This is a disorder that causes severe neck and shoulder contractions and also a very unusual side effect of eye disorder treatments. In their research, doctors discovered that Botox softened the frown lines between the eyebrows. It was after this discovery that Botox officially came into existence and was FDA approved on April 15, 2002.
So what's the price for this "fountain of youth?" The average cost of just one Botox injection is approx 100 euros. This also depends on what area of your face is getting the injections.
A combination of factors can cause facial lines. It’s not just about the cellular changes that may occur, or reduction of collagen, or damage caused by free radicals from the sun and the environment.
Repeated muscle contractions from frowning, squinting, or raising eyebrows cause skin to furrow and fold, gradually resulting in the formation of facial lines. BOTOX® works beneath the surface and temporarily reduces the underlying muscle activity that causes moderate to severe frown lines, crow’s feet and forehead lines in adults – to help them look visibly smooth
So what exactly does Botox do?
Well, when Botox is injected into the muscles of the forehead, it blocks nerve impulses which results in the weakening of the muscles that cause frowning. Eventually over a period of several months, given enough of these injections, the frown lines start to get softer and in many cases eventually disappear completely.
Botox injections themselves are actually a diluted form of botulism. Yes, the same botulism that can make us very ill. Botox cosmetic is a purified form of the Botulinum toxin, so there's nothing to panic about.
The next question is, how exactly does it work?
Well, to put it simply, every time you laugh, smile, frown, or for that matter do just about anything with your facial muscles, wrinkles are caused by the underlying contractions of these muscles. After years of making these expressions the wear and tear on your face begins to be noticeable and the lines start to become permanent. When these creases become permanent, no kind of skin cream can get rid of them. That's where Botox comes in. After being injected into the affected area, it temporarily paralyzes these muscles so that you can't make these expressions. You'll still have enough movement to give a smooth appearance, but not enough to cause these wrinkles. So in fact by taking these Botox injections they make you look younger.
Did you know that botox is not only for good looks?
Botox can also be used in the medical industry to help the following conditions; Interesting!
Chronic Migraine
WHAT TO EXPECT WITH TREATMENT
Some patients receiving BOTOX® Cosmetic report the injections feel like a pinch. You may begin to notice a visible smoothing of frown lines, crow’s feet and forehead lines within 24 to 48 hours, with full results in 30 days lasting up to 4 months for moderate to severe frown lines.
BOTOX® Cosmetic is not a permanent treatment. If you discontinue treatment the moderate to severe frown lines, crow's feet and forehead lines will gradually return.
To summarize!
BOTOX® is the first and only treatment FDA-approved to temporarily make moderate to severe frown lines, crow's feet, and forehead lines look better in adults. So you look like you, only with less noticeable facial lines.
Treatment requires minimal downtime. You can return to your daily routine immediately after you leave your specialist's office. You may begin to notice results within 24 to 48 hours, with full results in 30 days, with results lasting up to 4 months for moderate to severe frown lines.
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