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Does Botox Work and When Is the Right Time?

Posted in Botox

woman looking at mirror concerned

Botox is one of the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, and made up almost half of all minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures performed in 2013. More people are becoming aware of the benefits of Botox which, in addition to correcting the signs of aging, include managing the symptoms of depression, calming migraines and reducing perspiration. With so many different applications available, is there an ideal time to start seeking Botox for either cosmetic or medical reasons?

How Does Botox Work?

Botox injections is an outpatient procedure. The injections require no anesthesia, but your plastic surgeon may numb the area around where the needle will go to prevent stinging. The active ingredient is Botulinum Toxin A, which shuts down a nerve’s ability to “talk” to the muscle. It reduces lines, wrinkles and creases near the injection site by decreasing the muscle movement that compromises skin smoothness.

Who Is Getting Botox Treatments?

Because Botox smoothes out lines and wrinkles on the face, neck and other parts of the body, many people tend to view it as a procedure for the over-40 crowd, but the statistics tell another story. 58 percent of plastic surgeons surveyed in 2013 noted a rise in injectables for individuals under the age of 30. 81 percent of those individuals were women, and two-thirds of those women were mothers.

Many of these younger patients are turning to Botox as a preventive means of stiffening the facial muscles responsible for creating crows’ feet, forehead lines and wrinkles. Some plastic surgeons recommend beginning injections at the first indication that the face or neck are beginning to crease up. Patients should then receive injections two to three times a year, depending on individual circumstances.

Medical Uses of Botox

Beyond cosmetic reasons, people of all ages are also turning to Botox as a possible cure for migraines, with 70 percent of test subjects halving the amount of migraines after six months of receiving one injection every 12 weeks. Researchers are divided as to why Botox works to reduce migraines; Botox may numb the pain processes that cause migraines, but more research is needed to understand the true connection.

Recently, Botox has been touted as a means of relieving some of the symptoms of clinical depression. Stiffening facial features renders it more difficult for patients to physically express their negative emotions, which in turn can prevent the brain from registering and maintaining debilitating negative emotions. The procedure, while not a treatment for depression, has had a surprising effect on improving patients’ moods.

Individuals with perspiration issues have also taken to Botox for correcting their excessive sweating, known as axillary hyperhidrosis. When prescription antiperspirants don’t work, Botulinum Toxin A acts as an inhibitor to sweat glands, lowering their rate of producing excessive perspiration by 75 percent in just four weeks. It only takes four or fewer injections over a span of two years to yield these results.

How Young Is Too Young for Botox?

There is absolutely a “too young for Botox” when it comes to providing the most youthful among us with cosmetic procedures. Although adults in their early ‘20s are opting for injectable treatments, doctors believe certain demographics should avoid Botox as a cosmetic procedure, including infants, young children and teenagers. Doctors may make exceptions for teens who may require Botox for medical purposes rather than cosmetic.

As with every medical procedure, some patients may have adverse reactions to injectables. Headaches, mild injection site pain and bruising are common side effects in a small segment of individuals whose bodies respond negatively to Botox and other fillers. If you experience these or other symptoms, speak to your surgeon before continuing with further injections.

Houston Botox

Livingston Plastic Surgery offers up a wide range of injectable fillers, including Botox, to help you fight the signs of aging before they start. Request a free consultation today to see for yourself how these products can help you attain the look you want.