Botox Injections for Wrinkles and Lines

Botox Injection | Retina Specialist Fairfax Virginia

Botox Injections for Wrinkles and Lines

Botox Injection | Retina Specialist Fairfax VirginiaBotox is an injectable medicine which has both medical and cosmetic applications.  It is FDA approved for a variety of conditions, but it is most often used cosmetically for the treatment of facial wrinkles and lines.

How Does Botox Work?

Botox is called a neurotoxin.  For a muscle to contract, it must be activated or stimulated by a nerve.  Neurotoxins block this normal pathway resulting in a limp or paralyzed muscle…the muscle simply can NOT contract.

Botox is a very effective neurotoxin and is used for medical conditions such as;

  • Blepharospasm – involuntary spasm of the eyelids
  • Hemifacial Spasm – spasm of facial muscles
  • Chronic Migraine
  • Dystonia – severe neck spasms
  • Shoulder Spasms
  • Overactive Bladder
  • Others

Wrinkles and Lines

As we age, our skin becomes less elastic.  Many wrinkles and lines are caused by small muscles located underneath the skin.  When the muscles contract, wrinkles can develop in areas which move and contort, such as the face.

Paralyzing the involved muscles by injecting the toxin can smooth out these wrinkles and lines.  Botox is FDA approved for the treatment of glabellar lines, but there are other areas treated as well;

  • Glabellar Lines or Frown Lines are the creases between the eyebrows
  • Frontal Lines are horizontal lines across the forehead
  • Crow’s Feet are wrinkles at the corner of  your eyes
  • Marionette Lines are at the edges of your mouth
  • Smoker Lines are around the lips

Botox Treatment

The drug is injected into the involved muscle(s).  The treatment usually take about 10-15 minutes and are performed in the office setting.

There is usually no recovery needed.

Botox does not work immediately and will take a couple of days for initial results.  The full effects  can take up to 1-2 weeks to develop.

The effects of Botox are temporary lasting 3-6 months.  Injections need to be repeated, but no more sooner than every 3 months.  Results will vary depending upon the condition treated, severity of the condition, and in the case of wrinkles, the health of your skin.

 

 

 

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