Botox Cosmetic
Botox is a taboo topic, but I’ll tell you something everyone gets it. Men, women, the top of the top, cream of the crop, and everyone in between. Don’t for one second always buy into the secret all natural, serums, and potions that rid you of wrinkles. I don’t know why people feel the need to hide this, because almost every woman and many men, including myself, at some point have considered or received Botox treatment.
The mechanism of action behind Botox is muscle relaxation via modulating nerve communication. Therefore, relaxed muscles can’t create wrinkles because they don’t contract as strongly. Dr. Reed can control the amount of relaxation and create a look and feel that is in line with each patient’s goal.
Am I a good candidate? Yes, if:
- You want to prevent lines and wrinkles.
- You have moderate to severe facial wrinkles.
- The wrinkles are located in areas that Botox can treat, such as around or between the eyes, on the forehead, or around the neck.
- Your general health is good.
- You have realistic expectations for improvement.
- Botulinum toxin should not be used in pregnant or lactating women.
WHAT IS PREVENTATIVE BOTOX?
Most people, including men, don’t consider Botox until after their thirtieth birthday. As young adults in our early twenties, we generally have “good” skin but have also exposed to major sun damage. Year after year the lines grow deeper and a sinking feeling of aging starts to rest in your stomach every time you look in the mirror. What if we could prevent these creases and lines? That is the exact function of preventive Botox. Preventive Botox starts before any wrinkles or fine lines in your face are visible. If Botox is injected during the initial stages of fine lines, it will stop them in their tracks. The ideal candidate is someone who has started to see these faint lines. When you see those faint lines, you are seeing a future wrinkle. Those individuals between 25-30 years of age are considered excellent candidates for preventive Botox.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN INJECTION?
Dr. Reed will take the time to listen to your goals, explain the procedure, and answer all your questions. Once having a thorough understanding, Dr. Reed will take a few minutes to study your facial features, take pictures with many exaggerated facial expressions for a comparison, and place markings for injection. The injection is carried out without anesthesia and takes only a few minutes to complete the procedure. Small red spots may appear immediately after treatment, but they fade after a few minutes. Dr. Reed then sets up a follow up visit in two weeks to ensure that the result meets your expectations.
There is minimal recovery time with Botox injections. You can return to your normal activities right away. Avoid rubbing the areas that were injected and remain upright for four hours as it could cause the botulinum toxin to migrate to other areas of your face, causing temporary facial weakness, dropping and “Spock eye”. Slight bruising may occur at the injection sites which will subside like any other small bruises.
THE RESULTS
The results are not immediate and appear gradually. Maximum results occur four to ten days after injection and gradually fade over the following months. After two weeks, the creases fade and everything seems very natural and smooth. Another pleasing result is your eyelids are slightly lifted giving you a natural eye lift. Your eyes will seem more open and more awake. The results are not final because the injected muscles recover. It is recommended to return approximately every 4-6 months depending on the reappearance of unwanted creases.
OTHER SIDE EFFECTS
Botox side effects are very rare and always reversible. The downside is that you have to start over every few months to keep the result you like, but the bright side is that there are no ill effects possible with Botox, and that nothing is final if ever you don’t like the result.
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