What Is Botox and How Does It Work?

Botox derives from a commercially prepared form of Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which are normally present in different natural settings such as soil, forests and lakes,

Botulinum toxin is a purified protein that temporarily blocks nerve impulses. Injections are intended to relax the muscle and stop it from contracting, which will decrease wrinkles.

The amount of botulinum toxin injected depends on the brand used and the treatment area; it usually ranges from 5 units to 150 units per session.

Botox injections can be used to treat lines and wrinkles for a variety of cosmetic reasons.

• Botox For Frown or Glabellar Lines

• Botox For Crow’s Feet

• Botox For Bunny Lines

• Botox For Forehead Lines

• Botox For a Dimpled Chin

• Botox For Lip Lines

• Botox For Neck Bands

• Botox For Gummy Smiles

• Botox for Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)

Botulinum toxin can be used for a number of medical conditions. Some include:

• Botox For Chronic Migraines

• Botox for Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)

• Botox For an Overactive Bladder

It's important to follow instructions when preparing for Botox injections. Your practitioner will advise you of these during the consultation, but here are a few guidelines:

• Remove makeup and jewellery from the area where you will be receiving injections.

• Clean the skin with soap and water, if necessary.

• Avoid alcohol, coffee and smoking for 24 hours before your appointment (these substances can increase bruising).

• Avoid any NSAID’s such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen for two days before your appointment (these can increase risks of bleeding and bruise at the treated sites)

The treatment takes about 15-30 minutes, depending on the number of areas being treated and the severity of your concerns.

Side effects are rare but after Botox is injected into the muscle, they may include:

• Headache: this is the most common side effect after the procedure and usually goes away in a few days.

• Severe headache: if you have headaches that don't go away after the first week let your doctor know right away so they can help you find an effective treatment (such as taking over-the-counter pain medicine).

• Swelling around your eyes: this can happen anywhere from one hour to two days after Botox injections and should go away completely within two weeks of having injections.

• Allergic reactions: a small percentage of people develop an allergic reaction to a Botox injection. Symptoms can include redness, burning, itching or swelling at the injection site. If you experience a severe reaction after getting treatment, contact your practitioner immediately and seek medical attention.

• Droopy eyelids: patients can develop droopy eyelids after getting injections of botulinum toxin in their forehead area (glabella).

• Dry mouth: this side effect is more common among men than women and usually lasts only a few days following treatment, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). If your dry mouth continues beyond that point or becomes unbearable while it lasts, then you may need additional medication like lip balm or throat lozenges until it goes away completely but don't worry - this isn't permanent!

• Dry eyes: if your eyes feel irritated and dry, you may require eye drops following treatment. Get in touch with your practitioner.
  If at any point after your injections, you have difficulty breathing or double-vision you should contact a medical professional immediately.

After your procedure, you may experience some mild redness and swelling at the injection site. These symptoms are normal and typically fade within 24 hours.

To help minimise side effects, don't massage treatment areas, avoid direct sun exposure, hot and steamy environments (including hot tubs), vigorous exercise f and alcohol consumption for the next 24 hours

It normally can take up to two weeks for you to see the full effect of your injection, but you can start to see a difference starting from day 3-5 following your treatment most people are able to have repeated treatments every three to six months as needed.

Botox injections are generally considered quite painless and numbing cream or ice will help ease any pain from the injection.

A small number of people can experience a little soreness, swelling or bruising after their treatment, but this usually goes away after a few hours.

Botulinum toxin is not recommended for pregnant women or children under 18 years old.

It is regarded as a medical treatment and therefore people with certain health concerns are not suitable for the treatment.

Botox is not safe for you if:

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding

• You have certain neurological diseases

• You have hypersensitivity to any component of the formulation

• Have a generalised disorder of muscle activity (e.g. myasthenia gravis)

• Have a bleeding disorder of any type

• Are using or likely to use aminoglycoside antibiotics or spectinomycin

Any Botulinum toxin is not recommended during pregnancy.

The major difference between the two is that botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin while dermal fillers are not.

A neurotoxin such as Botulinum toxin Type A is a substance that interrupts neurological communication between specific nerves and muscles thus temporarily preventing muscles from contracting and creating wrinkles.

In contrast, rather than blocking communication between nerves, HA dermal fillers will restore age-related volume loss and improve the appearance of facial wrinkles by supporting and strengthening skin directly under the wrinkles with hyaluronic acid molecules (the same ones naturally found within skin tissue). These molecules attract water back into cells underneath your skin's surface so that they plump up over time thanks to the extra hydration boost. They also help keep moisture locked inside.