Botox blocks impulses from nerves which causes the muscles to contract. The muscles then would remain more relaxed and the skin overlying these muscles would remain unwrinkled, and thus have a smooth appearance. Untreated muscles would continue to contract as before which leaves normal facial expressions alone. Botox for cosmetics is used to reverse visible signs of again. There's more detail about how botox works below, and in the section "the science behind Botox."
(video, talks about non-cosmetic applications as well)
Treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic is relatively simple and safe. A series of small injections are made using a tiny micro-needle and very small amounts of liquid. These injections are very precisely located into the nerves that cause character lines. No anesthetic or other pain medication is necessary since the procedure causes very little pain. Some compare the injections to a small bug bite, or a slight pinch. You may feel free to schedule your BOTOX® treatment for lunch hour or after work since driving after the procedure is not a problem.
This of course varies depending on how much Botox is needed. In general BOTOX® injections costs about $300-$350 per area at Surgical Artistry, Inc in Modesto (Dr. Tammy Wu's Office). Injections of Botox are done by Dr. Tammy Wu, MD Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.
According to national surveys done by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the average cost of a single BOTOX® treatment was just about $400 in 2002. If you are having more than one site treated, then the cost may be higher.
You can expect the effect of your BOTOX® treatment to last anywhere from four to six months. As acetylcholine production returns to normal, your muscles will once again begin to contract and the wrinkles will reappear. That's the bad news. The good news is that your wrinkles may be less prominent after BOTOX® treatment because your muscles may be somewhat "trained" to be in the more relaxed state.
As the wrinkles reappear, you will have to have repeat BOTOX® treatments to get them to disappear again.
The most common side effect of BOTOX® treatment is temporary bruising. Another side effect is headaches, however this is a rare occurence. If headaches do occur, they are usually gone within 24 to 48 hours.
A small percentage of patients develop eyelid drooping. If eyelid drooping does occur, it is usually gone within three weeks. The eyelid drooping is caused by migration of the BOTOX® from the treated area to an adjacent area. This is why you shouldn't rub the treated area for at least twelve hours after your BOTOX® procedure and why you are told not to lie down for three to four hours after treatment.
The top five nonsurgical cosmetic procedures in 2005 were:
Botox blocks the transmission of acetylcholine from neurons innervating muscle. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter which send a message to the muscle telling it to contract or tense up. With the flow of acetylcholine blocked or significantly reduced, the muscle can no longer retract and it relaxes. As a result, the wrinkled areas smooth out and soften.
Women who are who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not have BOTOX® treatment. People who have neurological diseases should not use BOTOX®.
People who are considering cosmetic surgery are often advised to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. But what defines a “board-certified plastic surgeon”? In the United States, such surgeons are physicians who hold a certification with the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). The requirements for certification include: graduating from an accredited medical school, completing a residency of at least five years, having (usually) three years of experience in general surgery, actively practicing plastic surgery for at least two years, and passing comprehensive written and oral examinations. A surgeon who fulfills these requirements is referred to as a diplomat of the ABPS.
The advantages of choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon are numerous. ABPS diplomats have extensive skill and experience in a wide range of plastic surgery procedures including (but not limited to) treatment of congenital and acquired defects in the face and body, aesthetic (cosmetic) surgery of the face and body, burn management, reconstruction by tissue transfer (grafts), surgery to treat growths in the skin and soft tissue, and microsurgical techniques applicable to plastic surgery. These surgeons have undergone years of extensive education and rigorous training to attain proficiency at providing comprehensive patient care, and they have proven their competence to a board of experts. Essentially, an ABPS certification ensures prospective patients that the doctor possesses the required skill level to competently perform plastic surgery.
There are other doctors that have titles and certifications that may even have the words "cosmetic" and "plastic surgery" in them. However, there is only one board of plastic surgery, it is the ABPS (American Board of Plastic Surgery).
BOTOX® is a registered Trademark of Allergan, Inc.
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