Botox Basics

Do you want a more youthful appearance, but you're not willing to go under the knife? Wendy Lewis, an international beauty consultant and expert, and author of America's Cosmetic Doctors, is here to help you learn if botulinum toxin treatments are right for you.  Botox® is a billion dollar drug that can do a little bit of everything.  It can be used to treat migraines, eyelid spasms, and arthritis pain, and to help children with neuromuscular disorders.Of course, it is best known for its rejuvenating effects on lines and wrinkles. The reason why Botox is the most popular cosmetic treatment today is that it is painless, quick, effective, safe, and affordable. Botox® is injected into muscles to relax their activity.  . When it is used on the areas of the face and neck most prone to fine lines and drooping, like the forehead, eyelid area, and lower face, the overall effect is one of natural softening.  The most common area to have done is called the glabella – the vertical furrows between your eyebrows that sometimes make you look angry or sad. Other popular areas to treat include the crow’s feet and lines that run across your forehead. Botox is also being used on a variety of trouble spots, like smoker’s lines, muscle bands on the neck, creases in the décolleté, and at the corners of the mouth.  One of the unique advantages of Botox® over many other cosmetic treatments is that studies have shown that it is a preventative as well as corrective procedure. Starting early with Botox® injections can forestall facial aging by reducing the muscle contractions that create lines and wrinkles. Another benefit of Botox® is that your doctor can customize the treatment to your individual needs and goals.  Botox® injections can be performed in your doctor’s office without an anesthetic, in about 30 minutes. Most people can return to work or normal activities immediately after a treatment.  The effects are visible over the first few days, and will last for about four months until the muscle activity gradually returns. Injections will have to be repeated at regular intervals to maintain the effects long term.  Botox® is not new. Actually, it has been used to treat eyelid spasms and other neurological conditions for over two decades. The safety of Botox® has been well established, and only a very small amount of this potent drug is needed for a treatment. Potential side effects include bruising, headaches, and eyelid droop, but these are rare and temporary.  To learn more about the benefits of treatment with botulinum toxin, consult with a qualified cosmetic doctor, dermatologist,  plastic surgeon, or cosmetic doctor in your area.  For more on what Botox can do for you, check out the other resources on our site.