Botox
is a purified protein toxin produced by the clostridium
botulinum bacteria. Botox is not alive but is a protein
that weakens and inactivates muscles. Today Botox is
the leading nonsurgical cosmetic treatment in the united
states. According to statistics released by the American
Society for plastic Surgeons, more than 1.1 million
people had Botox injections for wrinkles in 2002, a
31% increase over the previous year.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
A few drops of Botox are injected with a tiny needle
into the muscle that creates a wrinkle. When Botox is
injected into a muscle, it blocks the nerve impulse
from reaching that area, and as a result, the muscle
weakens. As the muscle weakens, the skin overlying the
muscle relaxes and the wrinkles in the skin gradually
soften and often disappear.
HOW SAFE IS BOTOX?
While Botox is a potent medicine in high concentration,
it is used in very small quantities with high margins
of safety. After a muscle is injected, its first effects
are not seen for 24 hours and the complete effect on
the muscle will not be complete for two weeks. Botox
effects are attracted only to muscles, and it has no
effect on the central nervous system or on the body
if injected accidentally into a nerve or blood vessel.
Botox is also safe because complete recovery of the
muscle is possible. Recovery is due to the body's excellent
ability to form new fibers that allow activation of
the muscles.
DOES A BOTOX INJECTION HURT?
When Botox is injected there is an initial minor sting
for a few seconds. Once the injection is complete, there
is usually no discomfort. Although Anesthesia is not
required, your technician may choose to numb the area
being treated with a cold pack or an anesthetic cream.
The procedure itself consists of several quick injections
of the toxin into the targeted muscles using fine needles.
It's quick and essentially painless, with the entire
session taking about 10-15 minutes.
There is no recovery time needed after receiving Botox.
Because your skin doesn't feel numb or change in texture,
and there is generally no swelling or irritation, you
will be able to resume regular activities immediately.
Your practitioner will advise you, however, not to massage
or rub the treated area and to remain upright for several
hours. This prevents the Botox from moving into areas
around the injection site, where it could adversely
affect other muscles. You will also be told not to exercise
for 24 hours.
WHERE
CAN BOTOX BE INJECTED?
The most common areas are the frown lines between the
eyebrows, the horizontal forehead lines, and the crow's
feet.
HOW LONG DOES A BOTOX TREATMENT LAST?
If it's your first visit, don't expect an immediate
transformation. For most people, it takes between four
and seven days for the drug to have full effect. Once
it does, however, results last between three and six
months. And, if the next set of injections is repeated
before the first treatment wears off, the muscle (and
wrinkles) won't return to their previous state.
The good news is that the body seems to have a learned
memory when it comes to Botox, and those who receive
treatments on a regular basis are often able to go longer
between sessions. Conversely, some clients develop antibodies
resistant to Botox, so that the treatment is no longer
effective for them. For reasons unknown, a few people
simply do not respond to Botox at all.
IS THE TREATMENT FOR EVERYONE?
There are very few restrictions regarding Botox treatments.
Pregnant and breast-feeding women or patients who have
a neurologic disease should not be treated. If you have
an infection in the area to be treated by Botox, you
should wait until the infection subsides to proceed
with Botox Injections.
NEED MORE INFORMATION- CALL CAROLYN GREEN, RN
At 407-886-0611 or 407-687-8061 (cell)
