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| What are Botox injections? | Procedure | Side effects | Contraindications |
Sometimes, as people age and begin to develop wrinkles, their facial muscles pull strongly from underneath the skin to create harsh wrinkles. The person can develop a frustrated, tired, or angry look as a result.
The chemical botulinum toxin can be injected into these muscles to temporarily paralyze and relax them. This procedure, which is referred to as a Botox injection, softens facial lines and wrinkles. Young adults sometimes get Botox injections to reverse the effects of early wrinkling. It is also used in people who have had facial resurfacing and collagen injections to relieve facial spasms and neck banding. It gives patients younger looking skin on their face and neck.
The botulinum toxin is injected into the frown muscle or wrinkle area. Generally the muscles relax in twenty-four to seventy-two hours. Sometimes it takes as much as five to ten days for muscles to soften, but the treatment lasts four to six months. The frustrated, tired, angry look disappears, and the patient has smoother skin and looks younger. As the effects of the toxin wear off and frown or wrinkles reappear, the doctor will need to repeat the procedure. After patients break the habit of frowning, they will require treatments less frequently.
For best results, the patient should not lie down for four hours after treatment. In addition, they shouldn't massage treated muscles. This can make the Botox toxin spread to muscles around the eyes. The patient should also exercise the affected muscles every fifteen minutes for one hour after treatment. Botox attaches better to active muscles.
Side effects associated with Botox injections are usually temporary. There may be a bruise at the place where the injection was given. One in ten people develops a small bruise or hematoma that can take several weeks to go away. Sometimes there is a slight droop of the eyelid that can last three to six months. Sometimes the injection doesn't take and a touch-up procedure is necessary. Very rarely, the patient experiences double vision, which is reversible, but can last three to six months.
People who have myasthenia gravis and neuromuscular disease shouldn't have Botox injections. If a person has an allergy to human albumin or botulinum toxin, he or she shouldn't have a Botox injection. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding shouldn't undergo the procedure.
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