Have you ever wondered what Botox® is and why the cosmetics world is obsessed with it? If so, you’re in the right place. We answer all your most-burning Botox® questions in this post, demystifying this strange and potent beauty-enhancing substance.
Botox® Cosmetic Overview
Botox® is the world’s most used and trusted injectable. The substance – a diluted form of a neurotoxin created by botulism bacteria – has all kinds of medical applications, from reducing neck spasms to treating migraines. However, cosmetic surgeons use it to reduce the visible appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face, improving the way you look.
Botox® works by paralyzing facial muscles, reducing their movement when you make expressions. The result is a smoother, more youthful complexion when you smile, grimace or frown.
How Long Does it Last?
While BOTOX® is a powerful anti-aging solution, it doesn’t last forever. Eventually, the effects of the toxin will wear off, and your body restores communication between the targeted muscles in the face and the central nervous system. Once this happens, you’ll need to return to the Laser Skin Care Center for further rounds of treatment.
Most patients find that Botox® takes its full effect between ten and fourteen days following treatment. After that, it continues to produce dramatic results for a further three to four months. At month five or so, it starts to taper off.
How Much Does Botox® Cost?
The cost of Botox® depends on the number of units of the substance you use, plus the clinician’s time. Typically, people will receive around twenty units for horizontal forehead lines and a similar number around the eyes, but it all depends on how your muscles respond. The more active they are when you change your expressions, the more Botox® you’ll need.
Safety Information
“Is Botox® safe?” is one of the most common questions people have about the treatment. It seems inherently dangerous to inject a toxin from a bacteria that paralyzes muscles in the face.
Fortunately, Botox® is one of the safest cosmetic procedures in the world. Millions of people have benefitted from it since its approval in the late 1980s with virtually no adverse reactions or side effects.
The Laser Skin Care Center team understands Botox® thoroughly, allowing us to administer the product in the safest and best way possible.
Benefits of Botox®
The benefits of Botox® include:
- Firmer, tighter looking skin
- A reduction of wrinkles in problem areas like the forehead, sides of the eye, and between the eyebrows
- Improvements in facial symmetry
- Elevation of the corners of the mouth
- Reduction in the downward pull of muscles that can cause the neck to look aged
Am I a Candidate for Botox®?
If you are in good overall health and have wrinkles on your face that worsen when you change your expression, you could be a great candidate for Botox® treatment. However, if you are highly anxious about using the toxin (or intolerant of it), you may wish to explore other complexion-enhancing therapies.
Take the Next Step
If you’d like to learn more about Botox®, please fill out the form on this page or call (562) 997-1144. Laser Skin Care Center proudly serves the Long Beach, CA area and offers a variety of cosmetic dermatology services.
*Individual results may vary.
