Botox is a powerful medicine that can temporarily relax muscles and wrinkles, but it’s not magic. Botox works best on certain parts of the face and takes several days for the effects to be seen. There are also things you can do to make sure Botox lasts as long as possible—and we’ve got them all right here!
Botox is a neurotoxin.
Botulinum neurotoxin is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which exists naturally in soil and water worldwide. Botulism can be caused when humans eat foods contaminated with this bacteria or when people breathe in air containing the toxin (such as during a bioterror attack). When it targets muscles, the toxin causes paralysis by preventing them from contracting.
Injection of Botox into specific parts of your face relaxes facial muscles that cause wrinkles to form. The idea behind this treatment is that less muscle activity means fewer wrinkles. In addition to reducing wrinkles, Botox can also treat other problems, such as drooping eyelids and excessive sweating in certain areas of your body, such as underarm regions or palms of your hands.
Injection of Botox into specific parts of your face relaxes facial muscles that cause wrinkles to form.
Botox comes in different concentrations and formulations. The most common version of this medicine is Botox, but there are also Dysport and Xeomin. These three injections are all made from botulinum toxin type A, which has been used for decades to treat medical conditions such as muscle spasms, eye movement disorders and wrinkles.
Botox comes in formulations that vary from a gel to cream or powder; the concentration of the drug can be changed based on how you want it administered (injected into muscles or applied topically).
I'll give you some examples:
It takes just a few days for the muscles in your forehead to relax and smooth out lines and wrinkles.
Botox works by relaxing the muscles that cause frown lines and wrinkles. As these muscles relax, they no longer pull on the skin in an upward direction, causing furrows or creases to form between them. When Botox is injected into the skin, it blocks nerve signals from reaching those specific muscles so they can't contract anymore—and voilà! You've got yourself one smooth face (or forehead).
The time it takes to see results depends on how deep your wrinkles are and where they're located on your face. The most common areas treated with botulinum toxin are crow's feet around the eyes; horizontal lines across the upper lip; vertical lines between eyebrows (glabellar furrows); marionette lines (lines extending from nostrils toward corners of the mouth); smile lines around corners of the mouth; frown lines on the forehead; crooked nose bridge/nasolabial crease.
It’s important to note that Botox takes about two weeks to kick in for most people fully. The muscles in your forehead relax first, but the ones around your eyes take longer. If you wait ten days and still don’t notice any changes (i.e., your forehead is still wrinkly), it may not work for you.
In general, though, ten days indicates that the Botox is working. Botox takes about two weeks to kick in for most people fully.
You can do a few things to help keep your Botox from wearing off quickly.
Botox can take a few days to start working. The time it takes for Botox to work is influenced by the location and amount of Botox injected, but you’ll likely notice some minor effects within a few hours.
Most patients will begin to see results after 3-4 weeks and full results within 3-6 months. However, studies have shown that patients who get repeat treatments will often maintain their new look for up to 18 months without needing another treatment! If you want your face frozen into place all year round (or most years), you can do so without professional help beyond those first few injections.
And that’s all there is to it! If you have questions about Botox or other cosmetic procedures, please contact us at Self Care LA or call us at (323) 337-3445! We're happy to help.
To learn more about Botox and to find out if it is right for you, please consult our board-certified specialists at Self Care LA.
As the leading boutique aesthetic spa & body contouring specialist located in Santa Monica, CA, we have a team of highly trained, certified, and skilled aestheticians and doctors.
We will work with you to customise a Botox treatment plan to give you the best results possible.
Contact Self Care LA today at (323) 337-3445 or click here to schedule a consultation.
Self Care LA is an aesthetics and injectables practice offering the latest cosmetic treatments in Santa Monica, California. Led by board-certified physician Bharat Kothakota, MD, MPH, the course sees men and women for cosmetic goals related to their faces and bodies.
Self Care LA offers high-end cosmetic injectables such as Botox® and fillers and several types of microneedling to boost collagen production. Along with SkinPen®, patients can choose Morpheus8 radiofrequency microneedling or microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP). PRP hair restoration treatments are also available at Self Care LA.
Schedule your appointment at Self Care LA today!
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