SAN DIEGO BOTOX is an injectable that can help reduce or eliminate facial lines and wrinkles. It also treats medical conditions like neck spasms, sweating, and overactive bladder.
The bacteria Clostridium botulinum makes the neurotoxin in BOTOX. It is safe and effective when injected correctly by licensed healthcare providers. The most common adverse effects are mild and temporary.
BOTOX injections use small doses of a botulinum toxin, which temporarily paralyzes muscles. It is used to reduce the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. Other uses include neck spasms, cervical dystonia, and eye muscle problems such as blepharospasm (eyelid spasms) or strabismus (crossed eyes). In some people, the injections may cause corneal problems. The risk is higher when BOTOX is injected into the eyelids, which can result in the surface of the eyes being exposed to air more often than usual. This can lead to dryness, itching or redness and a general feeling of irritation.
The botulinum toxin in BOTOX is derived from the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. These bacteria, or spores of them, are found naturally in soil and lakes, and can also be found in the intestinal tracts of mammals and fish. When these bacteria are under the right conditions, they produce the botulinum toxin, which is what is used in medically administered injections. The form of the botulinum toxin that is used in BOTOX injections is purified and meets the strict safety standards approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
BOTOX injections are considered safe for most adults when they’re given by a licensed health care provider in the appropriate settings. However, BOTOX injections are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or anyone with certain heart or nerve disorders. For example, if you have a condition called myasthenia gravis — a weakness of the muscles that control your eyes and mouth — BOTOX injections can worsen this problem. The same is true for people with certain respiratory problems like esophageal spasticity. This is because the botulinum toxin can weaken muscles that help control swallowing and breathing.
How is Botox injected?
A doctor or nurse will inject Botox into the muscle or skin where wrinkles are present. The injections are quick and painless (although a topical anesthetic may be applied to the area before treatment if you want). Your doctor may ask you to make certain facial expressions like squinting, smiling or frowning to help him/her find the best spot for the injections.
BOTOX works by blocking the nerves that cause muscles to contract and create wrinkles. It does this by attaching itself to nerve endings and blocking the release of chemicals that tell muscles to move. Over time, this causes the muscle to weaken and atrophy, resulting in a less wrinkled appearance.
Another medical use for Botox is to treat a condition called hyperhidrosis, which is excessive sweating. It does this by blocking the release of the chemical that stimulates sweat production in the body. Injections of Botulinum toxin can also be used to help prevent headaches by stopping the tensing of the muscles that cause them.
Botox can be dangerous if it is not properly administered, so it is important to choose a licensed and experienced healthcare professional. If a patient receives Botox from someone who is not a licensed practitioner, he/she may experience complications such as uneven or unbalanced smiles (due to improperly injected masseter muscles) and drooling. It is also not recommended to take this drug if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Bruising at the injection site is possible, but it usually resolves within seven days. In most cases, a series of injections is required to achieve the desired results. During your consultation, Dr Tim will discuss how many sessions are required to get the best result from your Botox.
What are the benefits of Botox?
BOTOX injections are a safe and effective way to smooth the skin and turn back the clock on aging. These injectables relax the muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles by inhibiting the nerve signals that trigger them. They also help to reduce neck spasms, which is a common condition called cervical dystonia that affects people with cerebral palsy. In addition, the botulinum toxin can be used to treat eye spasms, which are a condition called blepharospasm that causes uncontrollable blinking.
One of the most important things to remember when getting BOTOX is that it is a medical procedure and should be performed by an experienced healthcare professional. It is also a good idea to get your injections from an accredited practice, as they are more likely to be prepared according to FDA guidelines and injected by an experienced doctor or plastic surgeon.
While the cosmetic benefits of BOTOX are widely known, many people don’t realize that it can be used to treat a number of medical conditions. A 2015 study found that people who got repeated Botox treatments every six months for overactive bladder conditions saw better results than those who received them less frequently.
Other medical uses for the botulinum toxin include treating neck spasms in patients with cervical dystonia, helping people who have trouble swallowing, and reducing excessive sweating. It has even been used to help relieve the symptoms of a rare disorder that involves the stomach muscle that helps to pass food from the stomach into the intestines, called pyloric stenosis.
Researchers are currently looking into a number of other potential medical applications for BOTOX, including preventing depression and easing pain caused by migraines. They are also testing the use of the botulinum toxin to prevent facial scarring after surgery.
What are the risks of Botox?
The most common side effects from Botox are headaches, bruising and a mild pain or sensation at the injection site. This typically goes away within a few hours or days. If these symptoms persist, over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen can help. Rarely, if the medication spreads beyond where it was injected, you may experience severe side effects including swallowing problems, breathing difficulties, and weakness of distant muscles as shown on specialized electromyographic tests. This is most likely to happen if you have certain muscle or nerve disorders such as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome.
Other potential side effects include drooping of the forehead or eyelids (blepharoptosis) or other changes in the appearance and movement of the eyes (blepharospasm). Some people may also develop skin problems at the injection site, such as a redness, swelling or itching. These can usually be corrected by the doctor.
The FDA has approved the use of BOTOX to treat migraines because it was found that this treatment helped cut the number of headaches in half in people who received regular injections for this condition. Similar observations led to the approval of BOTOX for reducing facial spasms and excessive sweating in some individuals.
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding are not recommended to receive this treatment because it can cause fetal abnormalities. The toxin can pass through the placenta and may affect the baby’s muscles. You should also avoid BOTOX if you are allergic to the ingredients in the drug or have an infection at the injection site. Getting the drug too often can cause your body to build up antibodies against it and may reduce the effectiveness of future treatments.
How often should I get Botox?
One of the most common questions about Botox is how often you should get it. While most practitioners recommend a treatment schedule that includes visits every three to four months, there are a few important factors that can help determine your individual ideal frequency.
One significant factor is age. Younger individuals tend to find that their results from Botox last longer because their facial muscles are typically less active than those of older people. As such, they may only need to visit the provider for injections once or twice a year.
The duration of your results will also vary by the areas of your face being treated and how expressive your muscles are. In addition, your lifestyle choices such as sun protection and skincare routines can affect the longevity of your results.
It is important to note that it is recommended you avoid massaging or rubbing the area where you have been injected with Botox for 24 hours after your treatment. This helps minimize the likelihood that the toxin will be displaced into another area. Additionally, you should not receive any facials or other treatments at the same time as your Botox treatments.
Despite the concerns that are often associated with Botox, most patients find this treatment to be relatively painless and quick. The needle used is very small, and we utilize numbing creams and the Zimmer cooling system to minimize any discomfort. The entire procedure is typically completed in ten minutes or less. Many clients describe the experience as feeling like a slight pinch or sting. Afterward, the injected areas will look similar to little red dots, but this should fade within a few days.