Premature ageing seems to have become synonymous to the extremely fast paced lifestyle that we all live today. Stress, which is an integral part of the cocktail of pollution and pressure of daily grind, has begun to take a toll on our health and well- being. Not only people are falling more and sicker and fatal diseases like cancer are becoming widespread, lifestyle disorders are making us old before we actually reach the old age. Young people of even 25 years of age have started complaining of various signs of ageing like wrinkles, spots, fie lines, blotchy skin etc. Though changes in lifestyle can bring about some changes in the way we look, but the ad truth is once the ageing begins irrespective of the age there is nothing much that can be done about it.
But there is some good news also. For people who want to look good and youthful, there are various non- surgical cosmetic procedures available that can take down years from their face. One of the most popular non- surgical procedures available facial rejuvenation is Botox. It has been in use since last few decades and the popularity of Botox does not seem to diminish. And there are good reasons or it!
Though some people may argue and defend various anti- ageing skin creams and lotions that are available in the market, the fact of the matter is that these creams do not provide long lasting effects. And even if some of these products are effective, they take a very long time for the results to become evident. So, for those who want fast and long lasting results dermatological intervention is necessary. And one of the best treatments for ageing is Botox.
Botox therapy utilizes botulinum toxin therapy for reduction of wrinkles and fine lines. It is minimally invasive procedures and the patient can resume his or her normal life immediately. Botulinum toxin is a protein which when injected in safe doses in the problem areas paralyzes the muscles and hence smoothens out the texture of the skin. The full effects of the Botox procedure are visible after two to three days. Once Botox is injected the effects last typically for 6- 8 months but it may differ from one person to another.
According to the type of wrinkles, thickness of the patient’s skin and the size of the area that needs to be treated the appropriate amount of Botox is injected into the muscles. The nerves that send signals to the muscles are blocked. Now since the muscles stop receiving signals about when to contract and when to expand, the muscles come at a resting point at which they begin to relax. As the muscles which are under the skin relax the facial skin above those muscles also relaxes hence the wrinkles appear to have smoothened out.
Uses of Botox:-
Botox is primarily used on facial wrinkles only. There are some limitations of Botox. It has been proven to be extremely effective on laugh line or the nasolabial folds, crow’s feet around the eyes, horizontal forehead lines etc. Apart from wrinkle reduction and facial rejuvenation, it is also used for treatment of extreme sweating, masseter hypertrophy which causes the jaw line to appear fleshy and very square, wrinkles on the neck etc. Botox has been also effective in the treatment of severe cases of migraine.
Botox is virtually painless barring the prick sensations that a patient gets when the treatment is being injected into the skin. The patient is fully conscious while the treatment is being carried out. The discomfort of the procedure ends once the procedure is complete. The full effect of the procedure is visible within maximum seven days and the touch up procedure is required after 6- 8 months. The muscles start to “wake up” again after few months and that is when again the Botox will be required. But when Botox is inject regularly the wrinkles disappear for a longer period of time as the muscles get used to relaxing for longer gradually.
Though Botox is considered to be a lunch time procedure precautions need to be taken before undergoing the treatment. The candidate for the treatment should refrain from smoking and alcohol before the treatment for at least a fortnight. Women who are expecting and who are breastfeeding should not get Botox. The procedure is safe but if Botox is administered in a wrong manner it can ruin the facial features completely, therefore only trained dermatologists should perform this procedure. Botox is preferred by any people and recommended by all dermatologists as it is non- invasive and does not leave any residual scars. It only works as a muscle relaxant and the effects also last for a long time. To get Botox, a qualified and reputed dermatologist should be consulted.
