Do you wish to treat wrinkles and facial creases? Then you should consider Botox injections. Besides improving facial appearance, Botox injections help treat neck spasms, excessive sweating, and lazy eye. Although facial Botox is safe, the procedure requires an experienced doctor. This post provides critical insights on Botox injection treatment.

What is Botox Injection? 

Botox is a drug primarily used to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles. The drug consists of a toxin called clostridium botulinum. Botox works by preventing a muscle from moving temporarily. Thus, an injected muscle cannot move, making wrinkles relax and soften up. The drug mainly helps remove forehead lines, frown lines, and lines around the eyes. Botox was the first brand-name drug to use the toxin. However, other drugs serve the same purpose, such as Xeomin and Dysport. 

Botox injections can help treat the following other conditions:

• Blepharospasm – persistent eye blinking
• Cervical dystonia – a neurological disorder causing neck and should muscle spasm 
• Chronic migraine 
• Hyperhidrosis – severe underarm sweating 
• Overactive bladder
• Strabismus – eyes pointing in a different direction 

What Does Botox Injection Procedure Involve? 

During the visit, the doctor establishes your medical history. Inform the doctor if you have had any Botox injection in the past four months or are pregnant. In addition, let the doctor know if you take a muscle relaxant, aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications, sleeping aids, allergy medication, and blood thinners. The doctor may instruct you to stop using them for a few days to reduce the risk of bleeding and bruising. 

Botox injections take place in a doctor's office. Before the procedure, the doctor uses different methods to numb the injection area. Numbing techniques include topical anesthesia, ice, or vibration anesthesia to reduce the discomfort. Then, the doctor injects tiny amounts of the botulinum toxin into the skin or muscle during the procedure. The physician uses a thin needle, and most people do not feel much discomfort during the process. 

After the procedure, avoid rubbing and massaging the treated area for 24 hours. The restriction is to prevent the spread of the toxin to other areas. Although unlikely, the spread can cause muscle weakness, vision problems, loss of bladder, breathing, and speaking problems. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice such symptoms an hour to weeks after getting the injection. 

Usually, the injection starts working after one to three days. Possible side effects may include eye dryness, excessive tearing, crooked smile, droopy eyelid, bruised injection site, and flu-like symptoms. Notably, the result will last for three to six months, depending on the condition. When the muscle action returns and the lines or wrinkle reappears, get another facial Botox treatment. 

If you want a safe and effective way of dealing with facial wrinkles, go for Botox injections instead of cosmetic surgery. However, Botox therapy requires proper administration. Consult a doctor specializing in your condition with experience in Botox treatment.