Ever since Botox appeared in the 1980s, people have undergone procedures to reap the benefits of this product and cheat aging. But how does it work and what are the long-term effects of Botox?
You may already be experienced when it comes to Botox treatments, or you may have never worked up the courage to try. Either way, you most likely don’t really know what Botox is and what it is. From hearsay and from experiences of people close to you, you only know that it works wonders with facial wrinkles.
What is Botox?
Botox is actually a drug made from a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum . If a person is incorrectly exposed to the toxin, it can cause a very serious illness known as botulism. However, when used in small doses, it successfully treats a variety of health problems such as facial wrinkles, heavy sweating, chronic migraines, overactive bladder, and eye muscle problems.
This product works by temporarily relaxing the muscles and blocking certain chemical signals sent from the nerves. Although this neurotoxin is more commonly known as Botox Cosmetic, there are other brand names such as Dysport and Xeomin. Since Botox Cosmetic was the first approved neurotoxin on the market, most people refer to this popular anti-wrinkle remedy as Botox.
How does Botox work?
Botox works by blocking nerve signals that stimulate muscle contraction. This means that when Botox is injected into an area of the face, the muscle will relax and soften , resulting in a more youthful appearance. The most common wrinkles caused by muscle movement are found between the eyebrows, around the eyes, and on the forehead.
Botox treatments can also promote the production of collagen and elastin, which help keep facial skin supple, firm, and youthful-looking.
What are the effects of Botox?
Now that we have explained what it is, other questions may have arisen: Is it dangerous? What are the side effects of Botox? These are questions that many people ask, as they share the same concerns.
As with many other prescription medications, there are potential side effects. Some people are allergic to botulinum toxins and should obviously avoid these treatments altogether, regardless of brand.
Other things to consider before undergoing any Botox treatment is if you suffer from any muscle or nerve conditions, bleeding problems, facial muscle weakness, or if you are pregnant , plan to become pregnant, or intend to breastfeed in the near future.
If you find yourself in any of these situations, it is advisable to consult a specialist before receiving any treatment . Finally, it is also important that the clinic you have chosen for your treatment knows all the medications and supplements you take to avoid unpleasant reactions.
Long Term Botox Side Effects
Let’s take a closer look at the possible side effects of Botox. We would like to start by mentioning that most people who undergo Botox treatments do not experience any side effects. Studies show that negative reactions are very rare . However, there is always the fine print that needs to be considered.
The most common effects of Botox are: slight swelling at the injection site, mild headache or flu-like symptoms, drooping eyebrows or eyelids, puffy eyelids, blurred or double vision, dry mouth, and tiredness .
In clinical studies of Botox, its manufacturers found that when treating forehead lines with Botox, less than 10% of patients experienced headaches and less than 3% experienced drooping of the eyebrows or eyelids. When treating forehead lines, 3% experienced eyelid drooping and only 1% of patients had eyelid swelling.
Although highly unlikely, the toxin can spread within the body resulting in more unusual side effects such as muscle weakness, vision problems, difficulty speaking or swallowing, and breathing problems. There is actually very little conclusive evidence as to the long-term effects of Botox, but it has been observed that repeated injections can lead to weaker facial muscles and thinner skin over time.
How to prevent the effects of Botox?
Before you undergo treatment, let’s talk about what can be done to avoid the effects of Botox and how they can be prevented:
- Find out about the clinic and the doctor who will treat you : it is vitally important to choose a clinic with a good reputation and a doctor who is experienced and qualified to carry out this type of intervention.
- In the event of any adverse reaction, it is important to be close to a medical environment where staff are fully equipped to deal with any medical issues that may arise. As mentioned above, be sure to tell your specialist about any medications, supplements, or medical conditions you have. Even if you don’t think it will conflict with Botox, let your doctor determine if there are any risks you don’t know about.
- Finally, follow your doctor’s instructions before and after treatment and report any side effects you experience.
Choose the right time for treatment
It’s important to make sure your Botox treatment is scheduled for a good time of the day, week, and month, when you’re not feeling stressed, rushed, or nervous about other things going on in your life. Undergoing this treatment, especially if it is the first time, can be stressful for you. Therefore, try to schedule a time and day when you are as relaxed as possible and can have enough time to go through the procedure without worry.
Things to avoid after treatment
After treatment with Botox, it is recommended to follow the steps that we give you below, in addition to the instructions of your specialist:
- Do not rub the treatment areas .
- Avoid touching the treated area : Massaging or touching the injection site can move the toxin under the skin and make it less effective. As a general rule, try not to touch this part of your body for as long as possible.
- Allow some time for the treatment to take effect.
- After treatment, wait at least four hours before moving or lying down . This helps keep the botox in the specific area of the body.
Bibliography
- Nigam, P., & Nigam, A. (2010). Botulinum toxin. Indian Journal of Dermatology , 55 (1), 8. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5154.60343.
