Botox is commonly used to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles.
Botox is commonly used to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles.
Other conditions where Botox is used are as follows:
- Hyperhidrosis: It is a condition in which there is excessive sweating in the underarms, face, and extremities even in the absence of hot temperatures or exertion.
- Chronic migraine: It is a migraine that occurs more than 15 days a month, each headache lasting for at least four hours.
- Overactive bladder: It is overactivity of the bladder muscles that causes an uncontrolled, frequent urge to urinate.
- Strabismus (lazy eye): The eyes do not point in the same direction due to incoordination between the muscles of the eye.
- Cervical dystonia: This is a painful condition in which your neck muscles contract involuntarily causing your head to twist or turn to one side.
- Cerebral palsy: It is a neurological disorder present by birth in which the muscles become stiff and overactive.
- Blepharospasm: It is eye twitching caused by overactive muscles of the eye.
What is Botox?
Botox is a drug made from botulinum toxin, which is a neurotoxin that blocks the signaling processes between the nerves. This disturbs the muscle movements, especially muscle contraction that the concerned nerve controls.
Extremely small doses of botulinum toxin are used in Botox injections, making Botox a safe drug.
Botox works by temporarily relaxing or paralyzing a muscle. This action is primarily used to improve facial features concerned with aging by reducing the wrinkles.
Over time, the use of Botox also started in the treatment of other disorders where suppression of overactivity of the muscles was needed.
What are the possible side effects of Botox?
Botox is generally a safe procedure when performed under an experienced doctor. The possible side effects that can happen after a Botox session include:
- Pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site
- Flu-like symptoms such as fever and headache
- Neck pain
- Dry eyes or watery eyes
- Redness of the eyes
- Drooping of the eyelids
- A crooked smile
Some of the signs and symptoms can be serious and need a visit to the doctor right away. These include:
What is done before Botox?
Your doctor will take your medical history before initiating the Botox treatment on you. You should inform your doctor about
- Your pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Any Botox treatment that is taken in the previous four months.
- Any antidepressant medications, sleeping pills, painkillers, or allergy medications that you are on.
If you are on blood-thinning medications such as heparin or warfarin, your doctor may ask you to discontinue it for a few days before the procedure to avoid post-Botox bruising.
Most people tolerate the procedure well because the procedure does not cause much discomfort or pain.
The doctor might administer local anesthesia just before the procedure to numb the area.
What happens during the procedure?
The doctor gives a few tiny shots of Botox in the required area.
The procedure takes a few minutes, and you can go home the same day.
Your doctor will schedule the next appointment (session) after a few to several months later.
What happens after the procedure?
You will be able to resume all your activities normally as before. The general restrictions after the procedure include avoiding
- Pressure on the area for 12 hours.
- Lying down for three to four hours.
- Physical exertion for 24 hours.
How long does Botox last for?
A single session of Botox usually lasts for anywhere between three to six months depending upon the condition for which it is given. It requires several sittings of Botox to get the required and long-lasting results.