The word “Botox” is probably heard by everyone. Botox is a medicine produced by the American company Allergan. It has been used in neurology since 1989 to treat diseases associated with muscle spasms (such as cerebral palsy in children). The active ingredient in Botox is purified and attenuated botulinum toxin.
In cosmetology, Botox and its analogues are used to remove mimic wrinkles. Mimic wrinkles are caused by the activity of mimic muscles. When they are tightened, wrinkles appear on the skin, which over time no longer completely straighten and mimic wrinkles are formed. Most often they appear on the forehead, between the eyebrows, in the corners of the eyes.
The following methods are used to correct wrinkles of other origins: contouring, mesenteric treadlifting, chemical lifting and others.
How Botox works
Botox is usually injected into mimic muscles, where it temporarily blocks the perception of nerve impulses. At the expense of this blockade the muscle or part of it becomes dull, no longer shrinks and the wrinkles formed from it are corrected. The doctor’s mastery is that Botox does not completely cut off the wrinkle-producing muscles and only removes the increased tone – so as not to disrupt the natural mimicry.
Under the influence of botulinum toxin, the neuromuscular connection is temporarily blocked. Muscle and nerve fibers are not damaged at this time.
The action of Botox is reversible – after 4-6 months the blocked neuromuscular connections are restored.
A special technique for using Botox is mesobotox, when this substance is injected into the skin instead of muscle.
How to prepare for the procedure
- It is not recommended to take antibiotics and anticoagulants – aspirin, heparin, phenytoin – three days before Botox injection.
- The day before you gave up alcohol.
- Sports or other physical activity is not recommended on the day of the procedure.
When does a visible result occur
Mimic muscles, on average, run in 5-7 days. The maximum effect is achieved after two weeks.
There are also variants based on individual characteristics of the organism, when botulinum toxin starts acting the next day. Sometimes this process even takes months.
Duration of effect
After the first procedure, mimic wrinkles are corrected in 4-6 months on average. After this time, the neuromuscular connections blocked by Botox are restored, the muscle fibers contract again and the wrinkles reappear, so it is necessary to re-insert it to maintain the result. The effect of corrected wrinkles after 3-5 sessions usually lasts for 10-12 months.
Limitations
A person can return to a normal life as soon as the procedure is completed. But it should be noted that the redistribution of botulinum toxin in tissues requires several hours. It takes one day for the injection site to heal. In order for these processes to run optimally, several limitations need to be considered:
- Do not burn for 3-4 hours;
- Avoid taking anticoagulants and alcohol for one day;
- Do not touch the injection site by hand for two days;
- Do not bend yourself for two days long;
- Avoid sports and fitness for two days;
- Avoid overheating for two days – do not go to the bath, sauna, do not tan;
- Do not apply a layer of hot air to the face for 10 days.
When is Botox most effective
The result of the procedure depends not only on individual characteristics, but also on age.
- Under 25 – Most people do not need Botox because the skin is elastic enough and mimic wrinkles are not a serious problem.
- 30s to 40s – Most mimic wrinkles are quite noticeable and we should expect the maximum effect from Botox.
- 50 to 60 years – Muscle fibers weaken and Botox procedure is less effective than at a young age.
- From the age of 60 – the tone of the mimic muscles is significantly reduced and does not play a big role in the formation of wrinkles, therefore, the area of application of Botox is very limited.
Contraindications
Like any medication, the use of Botox and Dysport has contraindications:
- Inflammatory or infectious process because the skin at the injection site should be healthy;
- Plastic or other type of surgery on the face – after the operation, the facial tissues gradually take on a final shape, their correction with Botox is recommended about 3 months after the operation;
- Prominent gravitational ptosis of facial tissues – these events are primarily due to weakness of the facial muscles; Injecting Botox into weakened muscles may aggravate the existing problem;
- Acute infectious diseases, increase in body temperature;
- High-grade myopia;
- Myasthenic syndrome;
- Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- Pregnancy and lactation.
Possible complications
After the procedure, small swelling and spotted bruises are expected at the site of Nanemsar, which do not require treatment – it will pass by itself in a few days.
Hypercorrection is not ruled out – the muscles become duller than planned when the drug is overdosed. Tissue sagging, “masked face” or facial asymmetry is observed.
Botox cosmetics
Recently, creams with “Botox effect” have appeared on the cosmetics market, with regular and long-term use of which it is possible to reduce fine mimic wrinkles.
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