BOTOX® (Botulinum Toxin) Treatment

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a refined form of botulinum toxin type A. In the late 1980s, BOTOX® Cosmetic was approved for treatment of certain medical conditions, such as uncontrollable blinking (blepharospasm) and lazy eye. Since 2002, BOTOX® ( botulinum toxin) treatment has been approved for the correction of dynamic wrinkles on the face. Read the sections below to learn more about the injection process and how BOTOX® treatment reduces the appearance of wrinkles.

The BOTOX® Injection Process

Before beginning the BOTOX® treatment process, the doctor will instruct the patient to contract their facial muscles in order to determine precisely where to place the first injection. Next, the doctor will use a very small needle to administer BOTOX® injections directly into the muscles that cause frown lines, furrows, and horizontal wrinkles. Because the procedure is quick and has minimal discomfort, no anesthesia is required. If the patient is sensitive to pain, however, the doctor may numb the targeted area with a cold pack or anesthetic cream prior to BOTOX® treatment.

How Long Will My BOTOX® Treatment Session Last?

BOTOX® (botulinum toxin) treatment is usually performed in a doctor’s office and takes approximately one hour from start to finish. The length of your treatment will vary, depending on your specific case, but the actual injection process usually will not take longer than 10 minutes. Because of this, BOTOX® treatment is known as a "lunchtime" cosmetic procedure. Most patients do not require any downtime and can resume their daily activities immediately after BOTOX® treatment. You should see a noticeable improvement in the treated frown lines and furrows within a few days after having the procedure, and the appearance of wrinkles should continue to improve for up to a month. BOTOX® treatment results typically last up to four months.

How BOTOX® Injections Work

Facial expressions, muscle movement, and the passage of time all lead to lines and wrinkles on facial skin. When your facial muscles contract, the overlying skin forms a crease. These creases in the skin become permanent wrinkles and furrows over time as we age. Because women typically have more expressive faces and thinner, more delicate skin, they are especially prone to facial wrinkles. Botulinum toxin treatment works by blocking the message sent from the nerves to the muscles, which prevents the muscles from contracting . While these muscles are immobilized, the wrinkles in the treated area are temporarily reduced or eliminated. Patients do not experience loss of sensation in the area because only the underlying muscles are affected. Because regular BOTOX ® treatment prevents the skin from creasing, it can keep new wrinkles from forming.

Use DocShop to Find a BOTOX® Provider Near You

The best source of information about BOTOX® (botulinum toxin) treatment is a trained professional. Visit DocShop for updated listings of cosmetic dermatologists in your state, and more information on BOTOX® after care.