Whether or not you’ve ever used a cosmetic injectable before, you’ve probably heard about Botox, the most famous injectable in the world. This neurotoxin treatment has been used for over 10 years as a cosmetic treatment to smooth away the appearance of wrinkles on the face, particularly the upper region of the face. But how does it work? At Vibrant Rejuvenation in Commack, NY, we believe knowledge is the key to unlocking your best beauty routine, so we’re happy to explain everything you need to know about this unique treatment.
What Exactly Does Botox Do?
Botox is a neurotoxin injectable treatment formulated with purified botulinum toxin. This cosmetic treatment is FDA-approved to smooth the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines associated with aging. Specifically, this injectable treatment is designed to address dynamic wrinkles, which are the wrinkles that form from a lifetime of making facial expressions. Both smile lines and frown lines on the forehead are good examples of dynamic wrinkles.
The key to this treatment is the way botulinum toxin interacts with our bodies. Simply put, when botulinum toxin is injected into the muscles of the face, the toxin interferes with the regular communication between motor neurons and the brain. In other words, this neurotoxin acts as a block between brain signals that will prompt your facial muscles to move.
Sensory Nerves vs Motor Nerves
Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin that affects a specific type of nerve in the body called a motor nerve. Motor nerves are responsible for directing movement in the body. When motor nerves are blocked, they are unable to send or receive signals that will direct the movement of muscles in the body.
Motor nerves are different from sensory nerves, which are the nerves that process sensation in the body. Sensory nerves communicate the way things feel, including temperature, texture, and softness. Because this neurotoxin injection only affects the way motor nerves operate, you will be able to feel touch and other sensation on your face after your Botox treatment.
What Should You Expect From Treatment?
Overall, your treatment with this neurotoxin injection will be very simple. Most of the time, your appointment can be completed within 20 to 30 minutes, making this a perfect “lunchtime appointment”. Our expert staff will perform this treatment with several small injections of the botulinum toxin formula in the targeted muscles of the face. After that, your treatment will be complete and you will be free to return to your normal activities without delay.
Pre Treatment
Before your appointment, it’s important you temporarily discontinue taking any blood-thinning medications and supplements to prevent bruising. You should also avoid alcohol consumption for at least 24 hours before your treatment.
Post Treatment
After your appointment, you will be instructed to avoid touching or rubbing your face. You will also need to avoid direct sunlight on your face and wear SPF when you plan to be outside to protect your results. In general, it’s also a good idea to avoid excessive heat, sweating, and strenuous activity after your appointment for at least 24 to 48 hours.
When Will You See Results?
The results of this treatment will be both immediate and gradual. Your immediate results will be visible in the way your muscles relax after your treatment. Usually, the immediate period is when the muscles of the face feel the most unresponsive; although you will not appear “frozen”, you will also have very little movement in treated muscles.
After a few days, the laxness of your facial muscles will fade slightly as the injectable treatment settles. At this time, your final results will appear as your facial muscles become accustomed to the neurotoxin. You will be able to make subtle facial expressions at this time without making creases on your skin.
How Long Do Results Last?
The results of this treatment can last for three to six months without any further treatments. Naturally, the way your body responds to the neurotoxin, your age, and the severity of your anti-aging concerns are also factors that may determine how long your results last. Your results may also last for less time if you are new to using neurotoxin treatments.
What Is the Best Treatment Frequency?
Ideally, you should have your treatment appointments about three times a year or every three to four months. This frequency is ideal because it will allow your results to be continuous without any visible aging signs returning between treatments. In other words, your next treatment appointment should be scheduled around the time when your current results begin to fade.
Where Can You Use This Neurotoxin?
When this neurotoxin injectable was first approved, it was only used to treat wrinkles and fine lines on the upper face. However, with time, this treatment has been used to address other visible signs of aging aside from frown lines and glabellar lines. Some other places you can use this treatment include bunny lines on the nose, downturned lip corners, a gummy smile, and even the area around the eyes.
What Is the Best Age for This Treatment?
Most people who use this treatment are around age 40, as this is when mild to moderate signs of aging are most visible. This treatment is most effective when used on wrinkles and fine lines that are not incredibly deep. If you do have deeper wrinkles, then a combination of injectable treatments may be required to restore your appearance.
Why Using Botox Younger May Be Beneficial
These days, it’s not uncommon for younger people to use this treatment to improve their appearance. In fact, many people in their early 30s use this treatment at the first sign of visible aging to stave off the increase of dynamic wrinkles. By using this treatment earlier in life, you may be able to prevent exaggerated lines and wrinkles from developing as you age, which ultimately means you can look younger for longer.
What Are the Benefits of This Treatment?
There are several key benefits of this treatment that are worth considering, such as the way this treatment can be used as a preventative measure against visible aging. Some other benefits that are most attractive to patients include:
Non-Invasive
This treatment is non-invasive and non-surgical, which is very important to patients who want to avoid prolonged downtime or painful recoveries. Unlike plastic surgery, non-invasive treatments can be performed without any risk of scarring. This non-invasive treatment also allows you to get back to your normal daily routine much more quickly than other procedures or cosmetic treatments.
Well-Tolerated
Although botulinum toxin is a toxin, it isn’t considered harmful in a purified form. In fact, this treatment is generally well-tolerated by most people. Because this treatment is approved by the FDA for treating lines and wrinkles, you can be confident that the neurotoxin is safe for most people.
Anti-Aging
The biggest benefit of this treatment is the fact that it can produce unrivaled anti-aging results. Over time, repeated facial expressions and tension in the muscles of our face can create deep dynamic etchings in the skin. However, treating dynamic wrinkles is not possible with dermal fillers. Fortunately, this anti-aging treatment can easily smooth away these visible signs of aging without any invasive techniques.
Who Are Good Candidates?
Although this treatment is most commonly associated with women who want to look younger, about 10 to 20% of all people who use this injectable are men who also want to smooth the appearance of deep wrinkles in the face. This treatment is appropriate for women and men who are over the age of 21, who are generally healthy, and who do not have any history of severe allergic reactions.
Women who are pregnant should not use this treatment. During your consultation, your provider will go over other qualifying requirements to determine if this treatment is ideal for you.
Smooth Away Wrinkles With Botox Injections Today
Looking younger is about more than keeping stress at bay, getting a good night’s sleep, and using the right anti-aging products. For the treatment of dynamic wrinkles, you will need a helping hand from a trusted cosmetic injectable. If you think this neurotoxin treatment is right for you, contact Vibrant Rejuvenation in Commack, NY to schedule your consultation today.
