Peers Cosmetic

Botox Cosmetic Injections: How Does Botox Really Work?

There are a many people having Botox® cosmetic injections to regain and keep a more youthful appearance. The question that many people are asking is: How Does Botox Work?

Dr. Christopher Peers of Peers Cosmetic Laser Care explains exactly how Botox cosmetic injections give a more youthful appearance.

Botox Cosmetic Injections: How Does Botox Really Work?

What Is Botox?

Botox is the name that everyone is most familiar with – the nickname, if you will. The proper medical term is botulinum toxin. It’s a neurotoxic protein produced by a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. If that all sounds a little scary, it’s understandable. Botulinum toxin can cause botulism in large enough doses. We often hear about botulism in relationship to food poisoning. It can cause paralysis and even death.

In medical settings, however, the dosage is miniscule and injections help, rather than harm. Botox has been used to successfully treat everything from wrinkles to uncontrollable blinking. The small and highly diluted dose weakens and relaxes the muscles enough to control their movement. Safely. Effectively.

Botox is not new. It’s not a passing fad. It’s not an unproven technique. It’s a reliable, FDA-approved treatment. In fact, over 11 million people, women AND men, have tried it and loved the results. They love the fact that Botox injected into the facial muscles can temporarily improve the look of all those little lines on their face. The results are practically instantaneous and the recovery time is minimal. Many people choose to schedule an appointment on their lunch hour or day off and return to their normal activities just minutes later with no one the wiser.

In fact, expect to get many compliments on a well-rested appearance and maybe a “Have you lost weight” question or two. You see, well-placed Botox injections are designed to fool your friends by making you look more youthful.

How Exactly Does Botox Work?

The functionality of Botox is really quite simple. It blocks nerve impulses, which, in turn, helps the muscles of your face relax. When the muscles are relaxed, they are not contracting and forming those pesky little wrinkles. Dr. Peers and the team here at Peers Cosmetic use Botox carefully and effectively. Small amounts are injected directly into the facial muscles of the offending areas in order to block impulse to the underlying muscles and give an overall smooth appearance. Over the years, repeated contracting of facial muscles through frowning, smiling, or squinting can create a strain on those muscles. They are overworked and need help relaxing. Botox to the rescue.

The goal, of course, is to get those deep grooves and lines running across our foreheads and down our faces to disappear. The end result can be quite remarkable. In fact, partial results are almost instant, but the full effect takes place over several days. Depending on your genetic makeup, the placement of the Botox as well as the type of wrinkles, the effects can last anywhere from four to six months. In some situations, the muscles can actually become trained to relax and can end up returning less severe than prior to treatment.

Other Medical Uses for Botox

To further emphasize the value of Botox, here are a few extraordinary ways that Botox has been utilized in the medical field.

• Clinical depression
• Enlarged prostrates
• Overactive bladders
• Migraine headaches
• Writer’s cramp
• Excessive sweating
• Repetitive blinking

Surprised? Don’t be. Remember Botox blocks nerve impulses to relax underlying muscle tissue and many of the above ailments involve muscles. We do not treat the above diseases at Peers Cosmetic Laser Care, obviously, but still find the many uses of Botox completely fascinating.

Do I Need Botox?

Truthfully, only you can answer that question. We can tell you that the average person in their 30’s show signs of aging in and around their eyes first. Crow’s feet are a good example of this. Botox can easily fill in these little wrinkles. Of course, that is for those with limited sun exposure. Damage from the sun can certainly speed up the aging process.

As the average person reaches their 40s, the forehead shows more noticeable signs of aging and laugh-lines begin to set in. Botox can help these deeper grooves as well. In fact, many frown lines are misinterpreted by those who do not know you. They may think you are angry or scowling about something when you are not. This can be off-putting in many situations including sales, an interview or even on the dating scene where members of the opposite sex may think you are much older than you really are.

Curious about where you could use it?

Crow’s Feet: Those little lines near your eyes that crinkle when you laugh or smile are cute on other people. Not so much on your own face.

That Vertical Line Between Your Eyebrows: Caused by the glabellum muscles, this line can run deep and make a person appear to be scowling in anger.

Worry Lines: Horizontal furrows along one’s forehead usually indicate worry, unless, of course, they are permanently there in the form of wrinkles.

Laugh Lines: This always sounds so pleasant, but, really, it’s not a good look for anyone. Laugh lines are the vertical lines that run down your face from your nose to your mouth.

Smile Lines: Another badge of honor from a life well-lived, smile lines appear because of overworked facial muscles. Botox can relax them and smooth out this area of your face.

The Nitty Gritty: How is Botox Administered?

Yes. It’s a shot. Actually, a fine gauge needle. It’s considered a non-invasive procedure, meaning no one is performing surgery. If you have a fear of needles, however, this may not be too comforting. Rest assured. The pain is quite manageable and the injection is often over before you know it. The skin can even be numbed with a cold pack or an anesthetic cream prior to starting the procedure, if that makes the process easier for you.

The entire process often takes less than 10 minutes.

The Results

Botox results are a combination of subtle and wow. You will look different when you leave the office, but no one will quite be able to tell what is different about your face. Tell them you got a facial. Tell them you’ve been eating all your veggies. Tell them whatever you want, but know that it’s only going to get better. In fact, the smoothness of your fine lines and wrinkles will only to continue to improve over the next several weeks.

The results will last anywhere from four to six months, depending on your personal genetic makeup and the severity of your wrinkles. You face will slowly and naturally return to its appearance before your procedure, if you don’t choose to have Botox treatment again.

We all age. It’s a fact of life. No one said that we couldn’t get a little help along the way. Let Botox help you present the best you. Stop by the office and talk to us about whether Botox is right for you.

If you are considering Botox treatment, the qualified and highly skilled professionals at Peers Cosmetic Laser Care will be happy to answer your questions.

To Schedule Your FREE Initial Consultation, Call Peers Cosmetic Laser Care TODAY at 574-533-9000