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Are Botox treatments safe?
Botox injections have been used safely and effectively for over ten
years to treat many ophthalmological and neurological disorders. Each
year thousands of patients receive Botox treatments for a variety of
conditions and it has become a popular treatment for reversing
the visible signs of aging.
Dynamic wrinkles are caused by contractions of the
delicate underlying facial muscles every time you smile, laugh or frown.
The more emotion you show, the deeper these wrinkles and lines are likely
to be. While you may have earned every one of your worry lines, you don't
have to show them anymore.
What is “Botox"?
Botulinum toxin (Botox) is a protein produced by a bacteria called Clostridium
botulinum. The effects that this toxin can have on the body have been
known since the turn of the century, but in the 1980’s the beneficial,
cosmetic effects of Botox were discovered, and turned to our advantage.
Botox has a relaxing effect on muscle tissue, thus when it is injected
into specific target areas of certain muscle groups those muscles lose
some or all of their ability to contract.
How can Botox help me?
Take a look in the mirror and frown at yourself. See where the vertical
furrows develop between your brows? Now relax. Can you still see remains
of those furrows? Now squint at yourself. See the crows feet develop
around your outer eyes? Again, relax. Can you still see where those lines were?
If you answered yes to either of those questions then Botox may be helpful
to you. The permanent presence of frown lines or crows feet may be due
to the over-activity of certain muscle groups.
Over time this causes deep wrinkles or furrows to appear, which may
result in a prematurely old appearance, or a less than pleasant expression.
The injection of Botox into those muscle groups on the forehead and/or
around the eyes can help eliminate those furrows, giving a more youthful
appearance or a more pleasing demeanor.
What will the results be?
A botox injection can take from 1 to 2 weeks to become fully effective
but most people notice the effect within 48 hours. During this period
a subtle relaxation of the muscle takes place such that you should not
even be aware that it has happened - until you notice that the
lines are gone! The ability to frown or squint are also reduced.
The treatment is not permanent - one of the benefits of botox
injections. The effects will slowly wear off - over a time period which can vary from person to person (from 4 to 6 months). Therefore, if you are dissatisfied with the results you can be reassured that it
will wear off. Permanent relaxation of the muscle can be achieved after
repeated treatments.
Preparation, the Procedure and After-care
There is no preparation that you need to do other than have a consultation
with your physician about your suitability for the treatment. The injections
themselves are done with the patient in the sitting position, and a
very small, fine needle is used to inject a controlled dose of the toxin
into specific areas of the target muscles. The procedure takes no more
than a few minutes. There is no aftercare required - you may return
to work or the rest of your day’s schedule immediately.
What is the price?
The cost per BOTOX® session is $435 USD. Areas that require more
than a single injection, such as the area beside the eyes where so-called
"crow's feet" tend to form, can range from $300 to $1000 USD.
Larger surface areas such as the forehead can cost as little as $500
and as much as $1400 USD.
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