Botox

Related terms for "Botox": botox injections, cosmetic denervation

Botox injections reduce wrinkles such as frown lines and crow's feet. Botox is a purified natural protein that gently relaxes lines and wrinkles. This popular procedure is fast acting, doesn't require much downtime. Many patients have Botox injections performed during their lunch break.

What is Botox?

BOTOX is a protein that can dramatically reduce wrinkles. This protein relaxes the muscles that cause facial wrinkles. Your doctor will inject the appropriate amount of the BOTOX protein into the desired site of action, providing targeted relief.

Some patients see noticable results from BOTOX within 3 days of their first treatment. A single BOTOX treatment typically lasts 3 months. You can continue receiveing BOTOX injections as long as your condition responds to the treatment.

The BOTOX protein is derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This protein blocks the release of acetylcholine and relaxes muscles. This reduces the appearence of wrinkles such as glabellar (frown) wrinkles and crows feet. Botox has helped more than a million patients worldwide, and has been widely used for more than 20 years.

How Botox Works

Normally, your brain sends electrochemical messages to your muscles to make them contract and move. These messages are transmitted from a nerve to the muscle by a substance called acetylcholine. When too much acetylcholine is released, muscles become overly active and spasm or tense up.

BOTOX blocks the nerve from releasing acetylcholine. As a result, the muscle spasms stop or are greatly reduced, providing relief from symptoms. This process is sometimes referred to as cosmetic denervation. Your health care provider will know how much BOTOX is needed to treat you effectively. The liquid Botox is injected with a very fine needle, and so most patients find there is very little discomfort. You can resume normal activities immediately, and so will not have to take time off work.

Botox is most effective on dynamic wrinkles. Your doctor may combine your Botox treatment with another technology that addresses static wrinkles