Botox® 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Botox®

 

The quest for a youthful complexion starts by eliminating the telltale signs of aging on your face — also known as fine lines, frown lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet.

 

Creams and serums will only do so much for looking young, meaning that Botox® is the best way to hold onto your youth. Botulinum toxin injections work by relaxing your facial muscles, and as a result, smoothing out wrinkles in the desired areas of the face.

 

Sound tempting? Keep reading to discover if Botox® is for you!

What is Botox®?

A powerful injectable muscle relaxer, Botox® consists of a safe substance known as botulinum toxin that —when injected into the face— temporarily paralyzes the muscles to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is a minimally invasive and highly effective facial procedure, which makes it one of the most popular cosmetic treatments on the market today.

 

Originally introduced and approved by the FDA in 1989 for the treatment of blepharospasm and issues related to the eye muscles, Botox® soon after made its breakthrough into the beauty industry and went on to gain peak popularity in the past few years.

 

In 2002, it was officially FDA-approved for cosmetic use to treat frown lines in between eyebrows, and in 2013, it was given the green light to treat crow’s feet (which refer to the wrinkles around the corners of the eyes).

 

Skeptics have doubted its safety and efficiency over the years, but clinical studies have deemed it to be a safe way to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. In light of this, it’s no surprise that 4.5 million Botox® and similar wrinkle-freezing treatments have been conducted around the world.

 

Potential Side Effects

Just like any beauty product or treatment, there may be adverse reactions after receiving your dose of Botox®. While it is generally considered safe by medical experts, minor discomfort and bruising may occur but usually improve within a few days. Some other side effects may include:

 

• Drooping eyelids
• Swelling around the eyes
• Headache
• Neck pain
• Fatigue
• Double vision
• Dry eyes
• Allergic reactions that may cause itching or rashes
• Flu-like symptoms

 

If you experience any symptoms mentioned here, be sure to get in touch with your Botox® practitioner to rule out any serious reactions. Read on to learn about Botox® aftercare in order to minimize the chances of these side effects.

 

How Can Botox® Help You?

Targeting several parts of the face that are prone to premature aging, Botox® has been approved for cosmetic use to treat the following areas:

 

• Frown lines in between the eyebrows
• Crows’ feet around the eyes
• Forehead lines

 

Not only does it restore a youthful appearance, but Botox® is also a groundbreaking treatment for various health conditions. It is currently being studied for its ability to relieve depression, proving to have potential antidepressant effects — giving the expression “when you look good, you feel good” a whole new meaning.

 

Botox® doesn’t just give your mental health a boost, the FDA has approved it as a way to treat the following non-cosmetic medical issues:

 

• Underarm sweating
• Chronic migraines
• Neck pain
• Involuntary blinking or spasms
• Lower limb spasticity
• Overactive bladder

 

How Does Botox® Work?

Wondering about the science (and the magic) behind botulinum toxin injections?

Temporarily blocking muscle contractions and nerve signals, Botox® prevents the skin from folding and therefore minimizes the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, on the forehead, and between the eyebrows. Even better, it also slows down the formation of new lines, which is why many young people are opting for Botox® as early as their mid-20s.

 

This minimally invasive procedure requires no incisions or general anesthesia, and it typically takes as little as 10 minutes with practically no downtime. Our professional aestheticians use ice or topical anesthetics to numb your treatment area and thereby reduce discomfort or pain.

 

Using a thin needle to administer an agreed-upon number of injections, our providers gently and safely inject Botox® into the target areas in your face. In most cases, you will need approximately three injections on each side of your eyes to eliminate crow’s feet.

 

Getting a Lip Flip

Influencers and celebrities are filling our social media feeds with glamorous selfies and paving the way for full, luscious lips. While fillers are usually the go-to method, you can also achieve a gorgeously plump pout with a Botox® treatment known as a “lip flip”.

 

During the non-surgical procedure, we inject Botox® into the corners of your mouth and edges of your lips to relax the muscles around your upper lip and slightly flip it up. The results? Fuller lips with a much more natural look than what you would get with injected fillers.

 

Prepping for Botox®

There’s almost zero preparation involved for a non-surgical Botox® treatment. However, if you have any allergies or existing medical conditions, please let us know beforehand to lower the risk of side effects. Please make sure to cleanse your skin and turn up with a makeup-free face. Finally, avoid taking any blood-thinning medicine such as aspirin to reduce the risk of bruising.

 

Post-Treatment Care

Following your procedure, avoid massaging, rubbing, or applying any pressure to the treated area as this may cause Botox® to migrate to other areas of your body and negatively impact your results. If you received injections between the brows, avoid lying down or bending over for three to four hours after as Botox® may get under the orbital ride and cause eyelid drooping.

 

This is the only example of downtime required after the treatment. We do, however, also recommend avoiding high-impact exercise for up to 24 hours afterward, but other than that, you can immediately resume your activities as normal following the procedure.

 

You’ll first start to notice the effects of Botox® approximately 1-2 days post-treatment and they will last for up to 4 months. To prevent lines from forming in order to maintain a plump and youthful complexion, sign up for quarterly treatments throughout the year.

 

The Bottom Line

Botox® is an effective anti-aging treatment for male and female adults. It is proven to be safe for both cosmetic and medical use and has been around for decades.

 

If you’re yearning for that youthful glow and a wrinkle-free complexion, contact us at LightTouch Med Spa so we can rejuvenate your look and restore your confidence!