What you need to know about BOTOX® (Part 1)
What is BOTOX®?
BOTOX® injections are now one of the most popular cosmetic treatments in the world, accounting for 42% of non-surgical procedures carried out in Asia.
BOTOX® is the short name for botulinum toxin, a group of molecules created by the bacteria clostridium botulinum.
In large amounts, this toxin can be extremely dangerous, causing muscle paralysis. However, by diluting the toxin, BOTOX® has become a popular and safe procedure. BOTOX® injections are diluted with a mixture of botulinum toxin type A, human albumin and sodium chloride. These small, diluted amounts can be directly injected into muscles to treat wrinkles and facial creases by relaxing the muscle tension in the skin.
Additionally, BOTOX® has been successful in treating medical conditions such as neck spasms, excessive sweating and lazy eye by blocking the action of some of the nerves.
Where on the face can BOTOX® be injected?
The most popular area of use for BOTOX® is the face. By relaxing different facial muscles – from the forehead to the neck, wrinkles can be minimised, resulting in the smoothing of the overlying skin.
The three most common facial areas treated with BOTOX® for wrinkle reduction are the frown lines (vertical wrinkles in the glabella area, between the eyebrows), the “crow’s feet” area in the temple to the side of the eyes (caused by squinting), and the horizontal forehead wrinkles (caused by raising the eyebrows).
Why do people get BOTOX®?
The most common use of BOTOX® injections is to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles caused by facial expressions and to help bring about a more youthful appearance.
BOTOX® may be recommended for other cosmetic uses, such as:
- To manage acne. BOTOX® can be injected into affected areas to curb oil production, reducing breakouts.
- To get a temporary face-lift. BOTOX® can shape the jaw, lift the tip of the nose, relax wrinkles around the eyes and forehead, giving the appearance of a facelift.
- Mimic a nose job. BOTOX® can help to lift the nose by relaxing the muscles that pull the nose downward, giving the impression of a rhinoplasty.
- Define the chin and jawline. With age, your jawline can become wider, particularly if you grind your teeth. BOTOX® can be injected into the area to shrink the muscle and narrow the jawline.
- Tighten the jowls. If the jawline has become less defined, a little BOTOX® can be injected along the muscles of the jawbone to pull the skin up for a defined effect.
- Lift the lips. Injecting BOTOX® along the upper lip border can cause the top lip to roll up slightly, so it appears plumper.
Medical Uses
BOTOX® injections can also be used to treat other medical conditions, such as:
- Cervical dystonia. This is when neck muscle contracts/spasms involuntarily. Injecting BOTOX® can block the nerves responsible for the muscle spasms.
- Lazy eye. BOTOX® can fix the imbalance in muscles responsible for positioning the eye.
- Muscle contractions. BOTOX® can be used to relax muscles for some neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy.
- Chronic migraine. The exact way that BOTOX® can relieve migraines is unclear, but it is believed that BOTOX® may reduce the nerves’ ability to send pain signals during a migraine.
- Bladder dysfunction. BOTOX® injections may help relieve contracture or twitching of muscles around the eye.
- Eye twitching. BOTOX® injections injections may help relieve contracture or twitching of muscles around the eye.
- Excessive sweating (Hyperhidrosis)- Hyperhidrosis affects about 1 % of the population. BOTOX® injections may help to block the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands.
- Part 2 to follow click here to view Part 2
For more information, please request for a consultation by completing the form below.
No Comments
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.