BOTOX SAN DIEGO is a toxin that temporarily stops muscles from moving. Although it comes from the bacteria that cause botulism, the purified forms used by healthcare providers meet medical control standards.
The procedure is widely accepted as safe and effective. In addition to smoothing wrinkles, the injection can treat conditions like neck spasms and excessive sweating.
BOTOX is a type of botulinum toxin that blocks signals from nerves that cause muscles to contract. This prevents the muscle from moving and reduces or eliminates wrinkles around the eyes, nose, and neck. It’s also used to treat neck spasms and other conditions, such as excessive sweating, drooling or excess saliva, and an overactive bladder.
Although it’s made from the same bacteria that causes botulism, the forms of botulinum toxin used by health care providers are purified and meet strict medical control standards. It’s been found to be safe for use in adults when administered by a trained doctor.
Serious side effects of this medication may occur hours to weeks after the injection (see Side Effects section). If these symptoms occur, get emergency medical help right away: chest pain, difficulty breathing or swallowing, loss of strength in all or a part of your body, vision problems, dizziness, fainting, severe itching, red itchy welts, or rash. Also tell your doctor if you have had previous allergic reaction to this medication or any other allergies. This drug is not recommended during pregnancy (see Warnings section). It might pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Ask about using this medication with your baby if you’re breastfeeding or plan to do so.
How does BOTOX work?
BOTOX is a highly targeted injectable that works by blocking muscle contractions in the area of injection. It is a safe and proven treatment that is approved for the reduction of facial wrinkles and fine lines. The neurotoxin in BOTOX stops the release of the chemical acetylcholine in the treated area, stopping the muscle fibers from contracting and causing the wrinkles.
The BOTOX injection process is a relatively quick and painless procedure. Most patients describe a slight pinch or pressure when the needle is inserted but it lasts only a moment. Once injected, the Botulinum toxin starts to take effect in a matter of days, with results becoming even more noticeable over 2-3 weeks. This is because the treatment has had time to work on the muscles it was injected into.
For some people, the results from the BOTOX treatment may last up to six months before they need to be re-injected. However, this is highly dependent on the individual and can vary widely. It is recommended to come back for regular treatments in order to maintain the results from the injectable.
BOTOX works best on so-called dynamic creases and wrinkles that are caused by muscular movement, such as smiles, frowning, furrowing of the eyebrows or squinting. This type of wrinkle is very different from other types of aging in the face, which are caused by loss of collagen and fat beneath the skin. Injectable fillers are better suited for these types of aging and can be used to smooth the skin and replace lost volume.
Besides the cosmetic use of BOTOX, it is also used to treat some medical conditions involving the nervous and muscular system. For example, it is used to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches by relaxing certain muscles in the neck and head that are responsible for triggering these debilitating headaches. It is also used to treat excessive sweating, by blocking the chemicals that stimulate the sweating.
BOTOX is also being researched for other uses, such as to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain and other neurological disorders. It is a safe and effective treatment that has been shown to have many benefits when administered correctly by a trained professional such as Dr. Cusick.
How long does BOTOX last?
Since first debuting as a cosmetic injectable, BOTOX has become one of the most well-known anti-aging treatments available. The neuromodulator reduces dynamic wrinkles caused by facial expressions by weakening or stopping muscles from contracting, which in turn softens them. This is what makes it so effective at erasing fine lines and wrinkles, lifting brows, and alleviating jaw pain. But, like many beauty and skincare products and procedures, it is temporary. So, if you’re considering getting BOTOX for the first time, it’s important to understand how long your results will last.
The length of your BOTOX results depends on a variety of factors, such as where and how you get the injections, your skin’s natural resilience, and how quickly your body metabolizes the botulinum toxin. In general, your results will begin to appear within a few days of your treatment and should be at their peak in about three weeks. After this period, muscle activity will gradually return, and your wrinkles may reappear.
If you want your BOTOX results to last longer, choose an experienced injector and follow a healthy skincare routine. This includes protecting your skin from excessive sun exposure and limiting the use of harsh skincare ingredients. Additionally, drinking plenty of water will help your skin stay hydrated and strong.
Injections at the forehead: Softens frown lines and prevents deeper creases from forming. Glabellar lines: Erases the vertical “11” lines between the eyebrows. Crow’s feet: Smoothes out the fine lines around the eyes. Forehead: Restores a subtle lift to sagging brows.
Other injectables made from botulinum toxin type A, such as Dysport and XEOMIN, offer similar effects to BOTOX and generally last for 3 to 4 months before you need to return for a touch-up. However, it is important to visit only a reputable medical spa that prioritizes the safety and results of their patients. Visiting multiple doctors or getting Botox from unlicensed practitioners can result in the toxin building up and losing its efficacy. It is also recommended that you do not undergo treatments from more than one doctor at a time in order to avoid developing antibodies to the toxin, which can interfere with its effectiveness.
What are the side effects of BOTOX?
The botulinum toxin in BOTOX is the same toxin that causes botulism, but when it’s injected in small doses like this, the side effects are minimal. You can expect soreness in the injection site, and flu-like symptoms such as fatigue and a general malaise for up to a few days as your body adjusts to the toxin. These symptoms are temporary and can be minimized by not rubbing or massaging the area where you had treatment, and by avoiding certain foods and drinks.
Another common side effect is bruising, called ecchymosis, which occurs because the needle can damage blood vessels in the injection area. Mild bruising affects 11% to 25% of patients. A more serious complication, neck muscle spasm, can sometimes be caused by the needle hitting the nerves in the area around the jaw, and may require medical intervention to resolve. Headaches can also occur, but are usually mild and fade within a few days.
Other side effects include muscle weakness, vision problems or dizziness, especially in the first few hours after treatment. It’s important not to drive or use machinery until you know how this medication affects you, and if you start having these side effects, talk to your doctor right away. There have been very rare reports of this medication spreading to other parts of the body and causing a loss of strength or general muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, or trouble swallowing (see Warning section). It is not known whether this medication is safe for use during pregnancy, but it is not recommended in infants. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk, but consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Before you get BOTOX, tell your doctor about any other medications or supplements you are taking. Also tell your doctor if you have any of the following: bleeding problems, eye surgery, a history of skin infection at the injection site, a nerve disease such as Bell’s palsy, a recent illness or injury (especially stroke), heart disease, diabetes, muscle/nerve disorders such as Lou Gehrig’s disease-ALS, myasthenia gravis, a bladder problem such as urinary tract infections, or any other conditions that cause you to sweat excessively or have drooping eyelids.