Time has etched lines in your skin. Some days you tell yourself your face has character. Other days, it seems more like aging. If you are thinking of smoothing out those frown lines or crow’s-feet, you have probably considered Botox - an increasingly popular nonsurgical treatment for facial wrinkles. Botox injections temporarily relax the facial muscles around wrinkles, making them appear less noticeable.
What is Botox?
Botox - the brand name for botulinum toxin type A - is the purified form of the toxin, which if taken in large amounts by mouth causes the food poisoning botulism. But when injected in small doses into specific muscles, Botox blocks the chemical signals that cause muscles to contract. When the muscles can not tighten, the skin flattens and appears smoother and less wrinkled.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Botox as a temporary treatment for moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows. But it can be used to treat other facial wrinkles as well, such as the lines that fan out from the corners of the eyes (crow’s-feet).
Besides a wrinkle treatment, Botox is also used to treat several health conditions, including headaches, backaches, eye muscle problems, muscle spasms and excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis). Also, researchers have found that treating facial scars early on with Botox may improve the appearance of scars long-term. This use for Botox is experimental, however, and has not been approved by the FDA.
Botox must only be used under a doctor’s care. It can be very dangerous if it is administered incorrectly. Look for a Botox Lexington doctor who is board certified in dermatology, ears, nose and throat (otolaryngology), or plastic surgery. Make sure the doctor has experience with Botox treatments. A skilled and properly certified doctor can advise you on the procedure and can help determine if it best suits your needs and health.