Botox® & Wrinkle Relaxing
How does botulinum toxin (Botox) work?
When botulinum toxin is injected, it blocks certain nerve signals that make muscles contract. The muscles relax, reducing unwanted wrinkles. This effect lasts about 3 to 4 months. After that, the muscles move again and wrinkles come back.
When you have botulinum toxin injected, your doctor may first rub an anesthetic cream on the area to numb it. Then they will inject the medicine into specific facial muscles. This only takes a few minutes, and can be done right in the doctor’s office. Ask your doctor what activities should be avoided immediately after your treatment.
What can be treated with Botox®?
Wrinkles
Dynamic wrinkles are caused by facial muscles that move when you smile, laugh, and squint. These are often around the lips, on the forehead and between the eyebrows. They are also the “crows’ feet” at the corner of your eyelids. Everyone is born with dynamic wrinkles. As you age, these wrinkles get deeper and easier to see. With time, dynamic wrinkles can become permanent, or static. Static wrinkles become noticeable even when the face is not in motion. Botulinum toxin can be used to make these dynamic wrinkles less noticeable. Botulinum toxin can also delay or prevent the conversion of dynamic wrinkles into static ones.
Hyperhydrosis (Excessive sweating)
Botulinum Toxin works by blocking the actions of the nerves that supply the eccrine sweat glands, resulting in reduced sweating.