What Botox Can and Can’t Do

Botox injections are probably the most popular non surgical cosmetic treatments that exist today.  But even with all the recognition this type of procedure gets, there are still a lot of misconceptions over what Botox can and can’t do.  To clear things up we provide this educational primer.

Botox Is Actually A Brand Name

Like many popular brand names, Botox has become so familiar that it’s become a generic name for the toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum.  Other brands name include Dysport, Myobloc and Xeomen with there many more.  The toxin has a wide variety of medical uses including the treatment of crossed eyes (medically known as strabismus,) migraine headaches, bladder issues, excessive sweating and the focus of this article, the relaxation of facial muscles that exacerbate skin wrinkles.

Botox Does Not Remove Wrinkles

Contrary to popular belief, Botox injections will not actually remove wrinkles.  If you’re being told that it does, then you should look further into the qualifications and experience of your practitioner.  What Botox does is paralyze the facial muscles that are responsible for causing dynamic wrinkles to appear more prominent.  The wrinkles are called dynamic because they become more noticeable when the muscles contract and less noticeable when the muscles relax.  The injections work to alter the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes and mouth by paralyzing the muscles that cause them to become more conspicuous.  But as we age, the skin’s elasticity weakens and the lines become deeper.  Botox might diminish the lines, but it will not remove them altogether.

Botox Isn’t Permanent

It takes about 48 hours after the injections for Botox to take effect, but the results will only become fully noticeable after about a week.  The treatment lasts for about three to five months before the affected muscle movement is restored.  To continue exhibiting the anti wrinkle benefits the treatment must be repeated.  

You Can Adjust The Dosage

Some people are turned off Botox treatment because of images of people who may have taken things too far.  The fact is that the dose can be adjusted to meet your wants and needs.  Most patients receive such small doses that it’s not readily apparent to anyone else that they’ve actually been treatmed.  You can start off small and see if the procedure is right for you before increasing your dosage for more prominent effects.