Botox, with its name plastered all over magazines, is not a new concept to people. Its fame is mostly driven by celebrities, with people understanding it only through what they see on these individuals.
The procedure has become a synonym for caricatured, frozen faces, almost frightening in their stillness. But what’s the real deal? Why do people still go for the injections if the result is an expressionless face?
What is Botox?
Also known as botulinum toxin, it is utilized to control muscle spasms, severe sweating of the underarms and for cosmetic purposes. For cosmetic procedures, professionals use Botox Cosmetic whose ingredient list includes botulinum toxin type A, human albumin and sodium chloride.
How does Botox work?
Wrinkles are usually created at a perpendicular angle to the contracting muscles under them. So when Botox is injected into a muscle, it blocks nerve signals telling your muscles to contract. With facial muscles weakened or paralysed, it prevents wrinkles from forming for a few months.
Why do it?
- Youthful result
It is usually injected between your eyebrows to smooth out your frown lines, which have the tendency to make you appear exhausted or unhappy, giving your face a youthful, albeit temporary and lift.
- Little time needed
It only requires less than 10 minutes, with little to no recovery time necessary. Results are also evident within a few days. Botox will attach itself to the nerve endings that trigger muscles to contract within two to four days. About two weeks after the injections, the person will experience the optimum result of the procedure.
- No extreme pain
If you’re afraid of needles and injections, don’t let it stop you from getting Botox as the needles used for the injections are tiny, with minimal pain reported. If required, you can numb the area with a topical anaesthetic cream or cold pack before the injections. A little discomfort may be felt after the effects of the cream wear off.
- No numbness
Don’t be worried about having a blank face as numbness due to the lack of physical sensations is not what happens with Botox since it is not an anaesthetic.
Do you need to get it done frequently?
The effects will normally last about three or four months, but this duration varies for some people. Factors such as age, facial structure, diet, smoking habits, state of skin health, sun exposure and repeated use of Botox may lengthen or shorten this duration.