BOTOX
Botox is a drug which contains botulinum-toxin Type A. This toxin derives from the Clostridium botulinum-bacterium. In very diluted quantities, Botox can be injected into small selected facial muscles with the purpose of smoothing out wrinkles. The botox treatment is carried out by medical specialist, Erik Orbitz .
How does BOTOX work ?
Botox blocks nerve impulses to small facial muscles and prevents these muscles from contracting. This way the surface skin becomes smooth and without unattractive wrinkles. BOTOX only works on the specifically treated muscles and not on the adjacent or other muscle areas.
How is the treatment carried out?
BOTOX is injected with a disposable syringe with a very thin point. Precisely because the syringe point is so thin, there is very little discomfort in the treatment. Many patients compare the sensation to that of a mosquito bite.It is possible to resume work and other daily chores immediately after treatment. For the first 3-4 hours it is not advised to rub or massage the treated area. However, it is beneficial in terms of effectiveness to use the muscles as much as possible the first day after the treatment. It normally takes 2-3 days before BOTOX starts to work and up to 7 days until you see the full effect of the treatment.
On which areas can BOTOX be used?
Basically, any muscle or group of muscles can be treated with BOTOX. The most commonly treated muscle is the "anger muscle" in the forehead. Another area typically treated is the "crow wrinkles" on the outside of the eyes and across the wrinkles in the forehead.
How long does the effect of the BOTOX treatment last?
One of the advantages with the BOTOX treatment is that the effect is temporary, lasting on average 3-5 months following initial treatment. Following initial treatment, one can decide whether to repeat the treatment and maybe also treat other areas. In order to maintain optimum effect it is advisable to repeat injections 2-3 times a year. However, the results from the first scientific studies with BOTOX for treatment of wrinkles show that the effect of BOTOX lasts longer after each new treatment. This is probably due to the fact that the muscle being blocked by BOTOX gets smaller and weaker after each treatment, simply because it is not being used. Another factor which may possibly have an impact, is that one unconsciously changes ones facial expressions due to the fact that some of the smaller muscles are blocked by BOTOX.
What about complications and side-effects?
All treatments which are effective can also involve side-effects and complications. However, harmful side-effects using BOTOX are very rare, even after the product has been used for more than 10 years in over 60 different countries.
The most common side-effect is soreness or a small accumulation of blood around the injection area. In rare cases, BOTOX can cause a temporary weakening of the adjacent muscles. There have been cases, where the muscle which lifts up the upper eyelid has been temporarily weakened for 1-2 weeks. However, as the effect of BOTOX is temporary so are the side-effects. Up til now, no known cases of permanent injuries have been reported following a BOTOX treatment.
Is it possible to combine BOTOX with other treatments ?
BOTOX is often used as a supplement to plastic surgical operations and other cosmetic treatments in order to achieve the best possible results. The most common combinations are with Restylane, dermatological peel and laser treatment. BOTOX can also be a valuable supplement to plastic operations such as facelifts and eyelid operations.
Before and after
