Who hasn’t heard of Botox? It’s an extremely popular cosmetic dermatology treatment, but many consumers may be unaware of its ins and outs.
Most patients are aware that the injectable is typically used to get rid of wrinkles, but less know of its myriad other uses.
Botox has an extremely general mechanism of action. When injected, the serum blocks signals from the nerves to the brain. Thus, at the area of injection, muscles relax.
That’s why it has so many uses, with hundreds of studies of its uses by different doctors in the vault. For example, Allergan is currently working to show that botulinum toxin type A may have anti-depressant effects. Some studies seem to show as much.
The hypothesized mechanism of action is that Botox blocks out “sad signals” from muscles associated with negative emotion (such as the muscles you use to frown).
Similarly, many migraines occur due to tension in muscles around the jaw and scalp. Injecting Botox relaxes the area, ameliorating the migraines.
Excessive sweating in the armpits or the hands can be caused by overactivity in the nerves the signal the sweat glands. When Botox blocks these signals, the body produces less sweat in these areas.
Beyond its sheer versatility, its main advantage is how eminently safe it is. It’s a procedure with temporary effects, and anyone who is unhappy with results can simply let it wear off naturally.
Besides that, it’s fast and easy. It’s a procedure that only takes 15-30 minutes and has no downtime at all.
Therefore, anyone considering cosmetic treatment for the first time should look to Botox as one of their first candidates. Here’s everything you need to know:
Botox is an FDA-approved non-invasive treatment that involves injecting botulinum toxin type A into muscles and glands. While it’s been cleared to fight wrinkles since 2002, regular users and beginners may still be somewhat uncertain about how this injectable neurotoxin produces its safe and effective results.
Wrinkles are caused by the constant movement of muscles under thinning skin. Initially, these lines only appear with facial expressions, such as squinting, frowning, or smiling.
However, over time, they can become etched into the skin and are evident even when the face is at rest.
Botox counteracts these effects by blocking the nerve signals that allow muscles to contract. Once these muscles have been deactivated, wrinkles and lines relax.
Consequently, the injectable neurotoxin is able to smooth existing wrinkles and prevent the formation of new lines.
Botox is currently indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe forehead lines, crow’s feet, and frown lines.
It can also be performed as an off-label procedure, by a leading injector like Dr. Colombo, to reduce neck lines, lift the corners of the mouth, and conceal a gummy smile.
However, this multi-tasking product also has a number of therapeutic uses, including migraine headaches, excessive sweating, teeth grinding and jaw clenching, muscle spasms, overactive bladder, crossed-eyes, and joint pain.
Its benefits on premature ejaculation, painful sex, and depression are also being studied.
Within 4-7 days, patients can begin to note decreased facial mobility in the treatment area and a softening of lines and wrinkles. Once full effects become evident, men and women look like more refreshed and youthful versions of themselves.
Botox benefits gradually wear off, and most individuals experience results for 3-4 months. At this time, patients will need to undergo additional Botox injections to maintain effects.
If they decide not to continue with Botox, muscles regain their ability to contract and skin and wrinkles will return to their pre-procedure state.
Interested in getting Botox in Northern Virginia but not sure if the procedure is right for you? Call us at (703) 437-7744 or click here to schedule an appointment.