Botox Injection in San Jose, CA
What is Botox Treatment?
Reduces Fine Lines & Wrinkles with Botulinum Toxin
The cosmetic procedure known commercially as “Botox” uses botulinum toxin. Since the botulinum toxin was first made available more than 21 years ago, botox injection treatment has grown in popularity as the most sought after esthetic procedure to cure unsightly frown lines between the eyes and facial wrinkles.
Botox treatment is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that is very common today. According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, approximately 2.5 million botox procedures were performed during 2008, and the majority of the patients were women. Botox injection is approved by FDA for reducing facial wrinkles since 1989. Treatments are relatively safe when conducted by a medical doctor. Common facial expressions such as smiling, frowning or squinting can cause premature wrinkles to appear, and botox can remedy this issue by preventing you from making facial gestures that lead to wrinkles.
What is Botox Made from?
Clostridium Botulinum is a bacterium that is usually found in soil and marine sediments. It can produce a neurotoxin known as botulinum toxin. In large amounts, this particular toxin can cause food poisoning called botulism. However, it can provide relief from cosmetic and health issues in small doses. Basically, botox is made from a purified form of botulinum toxin.
How Does Botox Work?
In general, your brain utilizes a substance called acetylcholine in order to transmit electrical signal to your muscles for contraction. Botox contains purified botulinum that blocks the release of acetylcholine, thereby disabling the transmission of electrical signals to the muscle. As a result, the muscle cannot contract, and hence muscle movements that cause wrinkles are significantly reduced. This smooths out fine lines and wrinkles for a more youthful appearance. Aside from treating wrinkles, botox can also treat the following conditions:
Bladder dysfuction
Urinary incontinence caused by an overactive bladder can be reduced via botox.
Chronic migraine
Botox can relieve the frequency of migraine headache if you experience them over 15 days per month.
Eye twitching
Botox can relieve the twitching of muscles around the eyes.
Hyperhidrosis
This condition causes excessive sweating. Botox can treat patients with hyperhidrosis by blocking the release of acetylcholine around the sweat glands that induce too-much sweating. The most common treatment areas are the under arms and palms of the hands.
What Happens During a Botox Session?
Before the procedure
Usually a nurse or doctor will apply ice or topical anesthesia to numb the treatment areas. Then a recommended dosage of botulinum toxin will be prepared in a syringe.
During the procedure
The toxin will be injected into your treatment areas via a thin needle. Most patients will experience mild discomfort or a slight pinch during the injection. Sometimes a burning sensation can also be felt. Women that are near their menstruation, may feel more pain due to elevated senses, thus it is best to schedule a treatment several weeks after the menstrual cycle is over. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and the size of your treatment area, it is not uncommon to have more than 1 injection. The procedure is quick and simple, and it usually takes less than fifteen minutes to complete.
After the procedure
There is little to no downtime, and you can simply return to your daily activities immediately following a treatment. It is of the utmost importance that you avoid rubbing your treatment area to prevent the botulinum toxin from resettling in different areas. You will notice the effects of botox within several hours, but some patients may need 2 to 3 days. Full effects will be achieved in 1 to 2 weeks. Retreatment is required every 4 to 6 months in order to maintain results.
What Botox Benefits Can I Expect?
Mild to severe facial wrinkles will be significantly reduced within 1 to 3 days, and full results can be reached within 7 days. Results will last for approximately 3 to 4 months due to the breakdown of botulinum toxin, and therefore follow-up injections are needed to maintain a more youthful appearance.
Are There Any botox side effects?
Most patients do not experience any side effects when treatments are performed by an experienced doctor. Some people do sustain mild side effects such as redness and bruising at the injection site, but they usually fade away after several days. While there are some serious side effects associated with botox, they are extremely rare. They are as follows:
- Muscle weakness
- Blurred vision
- Double vision
- Itchy rash
- Difficulty in breathing
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Eye dryness
- Droopy eyelids
- Loss of bladder control
- Trouble swallowing
- Trouble speaking
In general, pregnant or breast feeding women and people who are allergic to cow’s milk protein should avoid botox procedure. Also, certain antibiotics can interfere with the effects of botox. If you are on antibiotics, you should consult with your doctor before a treatment.
What are the Common Botox Treatment Areas for the face?
Below are the usual areas for botox injections.
- Forehead lines
- Frown lines
- Crow’s feet
- Bunny Lines
- Sagging Brow
- Lower Eyelids
- Smoker’s Lines around the mouth
- Drooping corners of the mouth
- Platysma neck bands
- Horizontal neck lines
- Gummy smiles
- Dimpled chin
- Lip Lines
- Marionette lines
- Nasolabial lines
- Chin lines
How Long Does Botox Last in Your Face?
The effects of botox usually remain for 3 months. Afterward you will need to schedule for new treatment as the effects are gradually fading away.
What is the Average Botox Treatment Cost?
The cost of botox treatment depends on how many units you use, the location,and the person performing the procedure. and the size of the treatment area. Usually, a board-certified plastic surgeon will charge more. The estimate procedure cost is between $200 to $600 plus. Certain medical spas do offer price discounts for multiple treatments if you are looking for long term results. Although health insurance does not cover botox for aesthetic purposes, it may cover some of the cost if botox is used to address medical symptoms.
What Age Should I Start Botox?
Botox is approved for patients who are over the age of 18. However, most experts recommend that the ideal age to start botox treatment is in the mid-20s or early 30s because it is unlikely for anyone to develope fine lines before their mid-20s. There is really no perfect age to start botox. Instead, you should only consider botox when fine lines are beginning to develope.
Conclusion
I hope this answer everything on the topic of What is Botox Treatment for the Face. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.