The most popular cosmetic procedure in the US is Botox - California being the state with the highest number of Botox injections per capita. The drug was first introduced in the late '80s and was originally used to treat eye or optical muscle disorders. Today, it's in play to eliminate or prevent facial wrinkles, particularly those caused by repeated expressions.
How Botox Works
Essentially, Botox works by paralyzing your facial muscles. The subtle poisons in every Botox injection stop your muscles from a producing a chemical called acetylcholine. This chemical is what allows your muscles to contract and create facial expressions. By stopping your muscles from contracting, Botox is not only limiting their ability to make existing wrinkles appear more pronounced, but it's also preventing new wrinkles from forming.
Effectiveness of Botox
After Botox injections, patients usually see about an 80 percent improvement in the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. The drug has also been independently tested and approved by the FDA as an effective wrinkle treatment, meaning it works. However, it's not permanent and will only last for up to 5 months, and perhaps only 3.
Step-By-Step Guide to Getting Botox Injections
Botox is injected while in your doctor's office, so there is no need to visit a hospital or receive any in-patient treatment. The drug is typically administered without anesthesia, though some physicians may apply a small amount of topical numbing cream to the treatment area.
Your Botox treatment will start once your doctor begins to locate each injection point and marking them with a pen. After this, the physician will disinfect the treatment area and obtain the needed amount of the Botox drug to administer the treatment.
Following your doctor's preparation, he or she will then inject the Botox, or Botulinum Toxin Type A, into your skin. At this point, the toxins attach themselves to your muscles' nerve endings, eventually stopping the muscle contractions that cause wrinkles.
Actual Botox Treatment Procedure Length
For Botox, users can typically expect their treatments to last anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the amount of preparation required and the size of the treatment area. Typically though, it's not a lengthy procedure.
Post-Botox Skin Care
Recovery is fairly simple after Botox - patients typically resume normal activities immediately after treatment. However, these individuals should stay out of the sun, so pack a sun hat or sunglasses with you to wear after your treatment is completed.
Expense of Botox
How much your Botox treatment will cost you depends on your doctor, the treatment area and the number of treatments that you purchase. For Botox, patients typically pay between $150 and $400 for each treatment session, with Californian coughing up a higher payment than most. These sessions are then repeated every 3 to 6 months at the patient's discretion. It is very unlikely that your health coverage will recompense you for this treatment.
How to Find a Botox Physician
If you're looking for a certified doctor who can provide injections of Botox, you should try either the American Academy of Dermatology (aad.org) or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (plasticsurgery.org).
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