We often find ourselves in front of our mirrors inspecting our face for wrinkles. We compare our skin to that of a friend who just always seems flawless, or that person from that movie we like to watch and wonder why we can’t get those results from all of the remedies we try? Many people suffer from moderate to extreme wrinkles and lines in the facial area and this can cause us to be ashamed of our skin, shy away from certain activities, and limit our social interaction.
If you are worried about crow’s feet, frown lines, laugh lines and wrinkles and just don’t know what else you could possibly try to get rid of these pesky insecurities then Botox might just be for you! This procedure gives you that youthful look. The truth is aging happens. It’s a natural process we can’t stop from happening. But we don’t have to look as old or older than we are. Many of us want to ‘anti-age’.
While we’re “anti-ageing” we want our skin to stay smooth for as long as possible. Botox simply paralyses the facial muscles, now we know that sounds scary, but it is only temporary and completely safe. It is in fact one of the most studied and tested medical aesthetic treatments available and has been practiced for years. Millions have done it and continue to do so yearly. So if you see your friend or some celebrity looking youthful, they probably had this procedure done.
Botox is just one of the many procedures we provide at Modern Surgical Arts of Denver to boost your appearance. Read on to learn more about Botox, its side effects, types, after-care and more. You can always schedule a consultation with us to speak directly with our experts who are always happy to provide you with the information you need before doing Botox.
What Is Botox?
Botox or Botulinum toxin type A, is a commercial neurotoxin that reduces muscle movement and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Botox is a drug made from a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum which is found in the environment (this is inactive and non-toxic).Botox is widely known for wrinkles, however, it has a wide application. It is used in small doses to treat health problems, inclusive of:
- Temporary smoothing of the facial wrinkles and improving the overall appearance of the face.
- Overactive bladder
- Serious migraine
- Diminish or stop excessive sweating
- Chronic bladder
- Misaligned eyes
- Uncontrollable blinking
- Severe underarm sweating
- Cervical dystopia
- Muscle spasm control
- Relieving strabismus
Botox injections work by paralyzing or weakening certain muscles or by blocking certain nerves. This prevents the muscles in that injected area from contracting which aids the softening and relaxation of wrinkles. If there are wrinkles caused by sun exposure or gravity, Botox might not be the treatment you need. The effects tend to last anywhere from three to twelve months depending on what part of the body is being treated. Botox normally requires little downtime.
Side Effects of Botox
There are side effects associated with every cosmetic procedure and we at Modern Surgical Arts like to ensure that all our clients and prospective clients are fully informed of all of the pros and cons associated with each procedure. This is not to alarm you, but rather, to assist you in making an informed decision with regards to which treatment is the best option for you. Modern Surgical Arts professionals will give you guidelines to avoid any unforeseen complications that can be easily avoided.
Potential side effects of Botox treatment include:
- Pain at the injection site
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Swelling
- Redness
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Allergic reaction
- Itching
- Wheezing
- Asthma
- A rash
- Welts
- Dizziness
- Faintness
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Numbness
- Droopy eyelids
- Temporary droopiness of areas surrounding the injection site
- Muscle spasms
- Twitching
- Migration of the treatment substance
- Flu-like symptoms
- Trouble speaking or swallowing
It is always important to find a practitioner who has experience in giving Botox injection. Our board-certified surgeons know the correct sites of injection to avoid or minimize side effects, if you have any questions about the process and procedure our staff is always available to assess any reactions or concerns you might have. Note though your health status might lead to the side effects so it’s always best to let us know fully your health history and any ailments you may have. Also, note that with any procedure, Botox is not for everyone.
For those who are becoming immune to Dysport and Botox, it is suggested that Myobloc may still help. This is due to Myobloc containing botulinum type B while Dysport, Xeomin and Botox contains botulinum type A.
How to avoid negative side effects of Botox
At Modern Surgical Arts or professional staff will guide you through all decision making process, we will ensure that this treatment is right for you and ensure you make the right decision for your beautification. Some of the guidelines here:
- Ensure your chosen practitioner is experienced in the procedure.
- Inform your practitioner about any health problems you suffer from.
- Inform your practitioner of all medications you take.
- Follow your practitioner’s pre and post treatment instructions.
- Report any unusual side effects after the procedure.
Types of Botulinum Injections
There are four different types of Botox, these include:
- Botox
- Dysport
- Xeomin
- Myobloc
Myobloc is the only type B botulinum toxin available in the United States commercially. Myobloc is used in the treatment of cervical dystonia to reduce the intensity of abnormal head position which will result in neck pain.
The main differences between Xeomin, Dysport and Botox is that Xeomin contains only botulinum toxin A and no other added ingredients. This pure form means that the immune system will adjust to it more readily and less likely to fight it.
While on the other hand, some patients have developed antibodies to Dysport and Botox. Xeomin has a full reaction time of about 4 days, Dysport has a full reaction time of about 24 hours and Botox is about 72 hours. Xeomin is milder than Dysport and Myobloc in terms of its simple proteins; this should help prevent the formation of antibodies.
Dysport and Botox are not to be used as the same product, though they are closely related they are dosed differently and injected differently. Dysport is prone to drifting, therefore to get desired result, a very skilled professional is needed to administer this treatment.
Our trained professionals At Modern Surgical Arts will be your guide in all the application and decision processes of your treatment.
Before Botox
After our experts at Modern Surgical Arts have analyzed your background and medical history, we will give you a few guidelines to adhere to, in order to achieve the optimum results of your beautification.
- Schedule a time when you are not stressed to have the treatment done.
- Inform yourself on the procedure, a Modern Surgical Arts professional will give you valid advice and information, however, you should always seek additional information.
- Avoid medications such as blood thinners, muscle relaxants, sleeping aids, allergy medication, and vitamin E.
- Stay away from cigarettes.
- Cleanse your skin properly but gently as to ensure the treated area recovers healthy and free of infection; avoid applying makeup to the treated area.
During Botox
As with any injection Botox can hurt but the injections are small, so the pain is usually very minimal. It is possible to numb the area with a topical anesthetic cream or a cold pack 10-20 minutes before the treatment. A little discomfort is normal following the procedure once the anesthetic or cold pack effects have worn off. This is normally a quick procedure, done within minutes.
After Botox
Botox is a quick and safe procedure which usually has very little impact on activities following the injection. The below are tips for effective aftercare for the Botox treatment. It is crucial as with any procedure, that you follow the after-care instructions to optimize your heal and continued health.
- Do not rub or massage the injected area for up to 4 hours after the treatment.
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours after the treatment.
- Keep upright for 4 hours; do not lie on your front or on treated areas.
- Avoid head-wear that is tightly fitted across the forehead.
- Avoid excessive alcohol or blood thinning medication – as this may cause increased irritation
What is the difference between Botox and fillers?
Though both Botox and Dermal Fillers are cosmetic treatments and are minimally invasive that is where the similarities end. Botox prevents muscle contractions, which prevents the formation of lines and wrinkles. Fillers are used to fill in the lines in order to hide wrinkles.
Botox freezes muscles to stop creases and wrinkles caused by facial expressions while dermal fillers use hyaluronic acid and similar substances to fill in or plump areas that have lost volume and smoothness. Botox results also last three to four months while dermal filler results vary depending on which type of filler is being used and the area that is being treated.
Why Choose Botox?
The Botox procedure is preferred to cosmetic surgeries because it is non-surgical and patients can return to full activity immediately after the procedure. In today’s world Botox is not only used for beauty but also to treat a wide variety of problems inclusive of migraines, neck pain, excessive sweating and many other issues. It has also become a life saver for those with a debilitating disease or disorder.
Modern Surgical Arts of Denver is committed to providing you with the best service. Built of years of experience and patient care, we know the ins and outs of Botox treatment. We’ll provide you with what you need prior, during and after surgery. We want to ensure that you are made a happy decision so kindly feel free to research beyond these pages. When ready to make that step, our support team is waiting to cater to all your questions and concerns. So, you can also feel free to reach out to us to see if Botox is the right procedure for you.
We also provide several other treatments and procedures you can peruse to ascertain how else we can cater to your needs or body goals. Our diverse and professional services range from a simple non-surgical injection to more detailed procedures. Should you see a service you are interested but you can find on our website, reach out to us and if we don’t offer it, we’ll definitely consider it as a service to add. We look forward to serving you!