The Botox Boston skin clinics administer, is actually prescription medicine. It is used to treat facial muscle spasms, including lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Botox injections also include other cosmetic treatments including nasal creases, smile lines, and crow’s feet.
Botox is injected, typically, into the muscles of the face to stop or lessen facial wrinkles and maintain a youthful appearance. It is basically a purified form of botulinum toxin A that is U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved (FDA), which happens to be one of the different strains of that toxin produced by clostridium botulinum at room temperature.
When injected, dermal fillers spread and block impulse transmission to the nerves in the treated area effectively weakening the muscles of the area and reducing wrinkling. Once your repeat dose wears off it is important that you know where Botox goes when it wears off.
Here are a few more facts about botox injections you might find interesting.
The most common areas for Botox injection are the forehead and the eyes. As we age, the forehead can develop vertical wrinkles and horizontal lines called worry lines, and the eyebrows can droop due to facial expressions. Frown lines between the eyebrows—known as glabellar lines—are also a frequent target, while some people choose to have their crow’s feet treated as well.
Once injected, nerve endings that initiate muscle contraction will be blocked for about three or six months. Botox can treat several different issues, including cosmetic dermatology issues like facial wrinkles and underarm excessive sweating, as well as neck spasms, lazy eyes, and chronic migraines.
In the first few days after a Botox regimen, most people notice no change in their appearance. However, within one week of injection, you will experience smoother skin, and some wrinkles are reduced.
You may experience side effects such as numbness or bruises at the injection site, but these are temporary and typically disappear within 72 hours of treatment. Results from Botox are also dependent on the location of your injection. For example, you’ll likely see results quicker with injections to the forehead area than to deeper wrinkles around the mouth.
Botox is not a permanent solution, but it doesn’t wear off immediately upon injection, either. The muscle responsible for the freezing effects of the drug will eventually fade away, allowing muscles to resume their normal movement.
After you receive a Botox injection, your body will metabolize the drug over the next few months. When this happens, your body starts to create new neurotransmitters. When they’re created, they override the botulinum toxin and allow your muscles to contract again. This means that you’ll have to have another dose of Botox at some point.
Many derms recommend getting a second dose around the three-to-six month mark after the first dose. If you forget to schedule an injection and your Botox wears off, your wrinkles won’t immediately race back, either.
Sometimes Botox injections wear off earlier than they should, and while you might blame yourself and think you’ve broken the rules that allow Botox to properly last, below are other reasons why this can happen.
As you age, your skin loses subcutaneous fat, making the underlying musculature more prominent, which can make lines and wrinkles more severe. The fold of the skin itself may change due to gravity over an extended period, again making Botox results less effective.
Aside from age and genetics, one main factor that causes Botox to wear off is the use of harsh beauty and skin products. The application of these can sometimes cause wrinkles to set at a quicker rate than usual, thereby causing your Botox treatment to wear off faster than expected.
People who live an expressive lifestyle will likely find their Botox treatments wearing off faster. This is because of the body’s natural process of self-repair, cells rapidly reproduce to replace old or dead ones, breaking through whatever hurdles are in their way.
This can include the neurotransmitters stopped by Botox, which can lead to treatment results not lasting as long for active people.
If you already have a well-stocked beauty cabinet, your Botox results may wear off sooner. This is because beauty products often contain ingredients that cause your skin to tighten. When they do this, they also shorten the muscles in your face even more and make the effects of Botox wear off before they should.
Stress is a pretty big player when it comes to wearing down our bodies, but the effect it has on Botox is a little bit sneaky. Though the exact cause of wrinkles never exactly comes down to stress, it definitely plays an important role.
In fact, studies show that stressful situations tend to activate specific subsystems in our face that contribute to fatigue and aging.
Many people with chronic or recurring illnesses choose to undergo Botox treatments on a regular basis in order to raise their self-esteem and appearance, but they need to be aware that drugs they’re using to manage these conditions can cause the Botox to wear off earlier than expected.
Your dermatologist will give you all the information you need to minimize the side effects of Botox treatment and get the most out of your investment.
It's a question many of us have asked. Fortunately, there are things that can be done in order to extend the desired outcome of a Botox injection. Here are a few strategies which will help your treatments last longer.
Excessive sun exposure may lead to premature aging, including wrinkles and dark spots. It’s no secret that the sun’s ultraviolet radiation is dangerous, but did you know that excess sun exposure may hinder the effects of Botox?
If you’re looking to make your Botox treatments last, limit your sun exposure as much as possible.
Plenty of creams and serums that contain peptides and retinol can help relax the muscles in the face, complementing the effects of Botox injections. As an added benefit, patients who use collagen-boosting supplements can see wrinkle reduction from these products as well.
Always ask your physician or dermatologist about these products to ensure optimal results after a Botox treatment!
Don’t let fine lines and wrinkles get in the way of having fun and fully enjoying every stage of life.
To find out more about how cosmetic enhancements can transform the way you look, as well as enhance your confidence in yourself, schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified providers.Look no further than Skin Deep Med Spa. Boston residents can rely on the quality of our Botox injection procedures and if you want to learn more about our services, contact us today!