If you’re experiencing fine lines and wrinkles – wishing isn’t going to make them go away. Botox is one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedures and everyone from Dolly Parton to Kim Kardashian has tried it. The toxin is injected into muscles where it blocks nerve signals, effectively “freezing” your wrinkles and laugh lines from ever forming. After being injected, your muscles can no longer contract as vigorously and relax, no longer able to “pull” your skin into unsightly creases or wrinkles. This procedure is widely popular and dare we say, addictive.
First off, it is very easy to administer as it is a series of quick, practically painless injections that feel more like a pinprick that a major medical change. It’s also effective – results are apparent within two weeks of treatment. (Your friends and family will be scratching their heads trying to figure out the change? We suggest you just tell them it’s all that kale you’re eating.) While some swelling may occur, compared to other cosmetic surgeries there is no recovery period. And it doesn’t affect the sensation or feeling in your face leaving you able to smile, raise your eyebrows and go about your business. The only downside for Botox is that its effects aren’t permanent. Usually the injections will have to be administered every four months or so.
But what does this beauty treatment actually do? Regular injections can remove or reduce forehead lines, frown lines between the eyebrows and lines radiating from around the eyes (a.k.a. “crow’s feet”). It can tighten your sagging skin around the mouth and soften those annoying vertical wrinkles in the neck. Basically, it improves any kind of skin wrinkle or creasing caused by the repetitive movements of your muscles. While it is a miracle worker, it cannot improve your sun damage or tighten the sagging skin caused by rapid weight loss. (You may want to look into other cosmetic surgeries for those concerns, sorry!)
Today, it is common for 20 and 30-year-olds to try Botox injections to prevent their wrinkles
from even forming in the first place. The jist is if muscles are allowed to pull the skin into wrinkles and creases, then the skin is going to “set” into that position. If preventative injections keep the skin smooth during one’s 20’s and 30’s, perhaps the skin simply won’t form into wrinkles in the first place. With premature injections and protection from the sun (wear your sunscreen girl!), you can delay or even prevent the formation of wrinkles, particularly for patients who are in their 30’s and are just beginning to lose precious elasticity in their skin. For the most part, instead of trying to prevent wrinkles altogether, other clients are trying to prevent their wrinkles from getting worse. (Makes sense, right?) At the first sign of a fine line, Botox is used to smooth out the skin and stop it from growing into a deep crease. If you never want to see another wrinkle on your beautiful face again, strong sun protection, avoiding smoke exposure, regular injections and the use of retinoids or alpha-hydroxy acids is all part of a healthy skin regime, with some occasional skin resurfacing procedures. Plastic surgeons say such a program may stop the aging process so well that the word “facelift” will never be in your future.
If you want to discover the top clinic for Botox treatments, perform a quick Google search and look for professional recommendations and a long clinical history. Nothing is more important than finding an experienced expert to administer your injections. Too much in the wrong places can produce a frozen-looking face. Not enough in the desired areas will be just plain ineffective. But when it’s done right, you will look happier, healthier and well-rested. Not bad for a 30-minute session.
