Botox is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the U.S. and for good reason. Cosmetic Botox is minimally invasive, safe, and effective. The Botox application is done through injections into the treatment area, meaning that it does not involve surgery to get results. Botox has a number of cosmetic usages such as minimizing the appearance of lines and turning back the clock on wrinkles caused by muscle movements.
The Cosmetic Uses of Botox
Botox is a purified form of a toxin taken from bacteria and works by blocking nerve signals in the muscles where it is injected. When those nerve signals are blocked, the muscle is temporarily frozen. When these cannot move, wrinkles and expression lines connected to them may be reduced in appearance. A Botox treatment lasts approximately three to four months, so repeated treatments are necessary to continue to benefit from the wrinkle reducing effects.
Botox works only on wrinkles that are the result of muscle movement. The most common of these are in the forehead and include:
· Lines on the forehead
· Lines between the eyebrows
· Crow’s feet around the eyes
Botox does not work on wrinkles that are the result of lost volume or sagging skin such as those in the cheek, neck, and jowl areas.
Botox vs. Facial Fillers
Although both Botox and dermal fillers are injectable cosmetic procedures, their similarities end there. Understanding the difference between facial fillers and Botox can help you decide which is right for you and your goals.
While Botox works by affecting the nerve signal to the muscle, facial fillers work on static wrinkles—the wrinkles that are not connected to muscle movement. The type of filler used depends on the goal of the treatment and the patient, but most are designed to treat signs of aging such as:
· Filling in static wrinkles, especially those on the cheek, neck, and jowl areas
· Filling in areas of lost volume on the face
· Plumping up thinning lips
Facial fillers are also temporary and can last between six and eighteen months.
If signs of aging are causing a hit to your self-esteem and keeping you from feeling your best, talk to your doctor today to explore Botox or facial fillers.
