What is Botox?
(botulinum toxin A)
Botox is an extensively studied, cosmetic medical procedure used to enhance the appearance and feel of your skin by temporarily improving frown lines and crows feet around the eyes and between the eyebrows. Botox is a neurotoxic protein, called botulinum toxin A, that causes the underlying muscles to relax, softening the appearance of the skin and smoothing wrinkles. Botox is the most effective method to combat wrinkles. Botox injections are relatively low risk with few side-effects other than light bruising and mild pain around the injection site.
Frown lines and crow’s feet are caused by the repetitive muscle contractions due to frowning and squinting in addition to cellular changes, like the loss of collagen or cell damage, that
occurs over time. In order to restore the skin’s smooth, wrinkle-free appearance, Botox temporarily paralyzes the muscles underlying these movements to reduce the strain on the
skin causing the skin to wrinkle in the first place. The effects of Botox will last anywhere from four to six months. The muscles will gradually regain activity and wrinkles will eventually reappear. With each Botox treatment, however, lines and wrinkles will become less severe as the muscles are trained to relax.
The Procedure
Step 1 – Map and mark the appropriate injection sites on your face.
Crow’s feet area: Botox is injected to three areas of the orbitcularis oculi, which is the muscle that borders the side of the eye. Frown lines area: Five injections into the muscles of your forehead between your eyebrows, 1 in the procerus muscle and 4 in the corrugator muscles.
Step 2 – Sanitize the injection site with an antibacterial agent. No anesthetic required.
Step 3 – Botox is injected with a small needle to the target areas.
Step 4 – Temporary paralysis of the injected muscles to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
