How Injectables Can Help Your Face Shine - By: Dave Stringham

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery ranked BOTOX Cosmetic as the most popular physician-administered aesthetic procedure in the United States for the fourth year in a row.

Botox is used to treat unwanted wrinkles on the face and neck. This product is used to treat dynamic wrinkles (motion wrinkles). These wrinkles are caused by contraction of the facial muscles. After time, this repeated muscle contractions results in permanent wrinkles (static wrinkles). Static wrinkles are defined as lines and creases that remain on the skin even when the face is not moving. Botox has revolutionized the ability to treat dynamic wrinkles of the face.

This product works by decreasing the activity of muscles which produce these wrinkles. Perhaps, one of the most important benefits of repeated long-term treatment is prevention of wrinkle formation. By preventing the dynamic wrinkles from forming, they can not lead to static wrinkles and creases, which are much more difficult to treat once they have occurred. The preventive age-preserving value was shown in a comparative study of identical twins ( ref: Long-term effects of botulinum toxin type A (Botox) on facial lines: a comparison in identical twins. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2006 Nov-Dec;8(6):426-31)

Botox has been approved by the FDA for treatment of glabellar rhytides (the vertical lines between the brows that appear when you frown), and is used safely to treat horizontal forehead lines as well as the "crow's feet" around the eyes.

More advanced techniques are preformed in order to treat:
- neck bands
- downward turning corners of the mouth
- facial asymmetries
-non-surgical eyebrow lifting
- treatment of migraines

Patients often comment on how painless and comfortable our techniques are. The effects generally appear in 1-3 days and are fully evident within 1-2 weeks. Effects generally last 3-4 months. Published literature now shows that patients who maintain a schedule of treatments over time may permanently reduce the severity and onset of facial wrinkles.

By minimizing dilution and disposing of unused material after several days, we are able to provide our patients with consistent, long lasting results

How Botox Works: Botox Cosmetic is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium Botulinum bacteria that decreases the activity of wrinkle-forming muscles. This botulinum protein was initially used successfully by Neurologists to treat muscle spasm in the face and neck, and the cosmetic effect of diminishing wrinkles was noticed as a side effect.
Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter responsible for making muscles contract.

The botulinum protein, following injection into the skin and muscle, is absorbed by nerve endings (nerve terminals), where it blocks the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine by those nerve endings. After several months, the nerve terminals recover and begin releasing acetylcholine again, and muscle function recovers.

Side effects of Botox: Patients often question whether Botox will prevent them from making or conveying facial expressions. The reality is, in well-trained hands, treatment results in creating a more pleasant relaxed expression, while allowing you make natural expressions. The difference is the expression will not result in deep wrinkling and facial lines.

This type of result is dependent on the skill, artistry and experience of the individual injecting.
Side effects of the injection are relatively rare in skilled in hands, but may include bruising at the injection site, or temporary eyelid drooping. Patients who are pregnant or breast feeding should avoid treatment, as should patients with any active infection around the injection site. Botox is contraindicated in patients with underlying muscle weakness diseases such as myasthenia gravis.

About the Author

Dave Stringham is the President of LookingYourBest.com an online resource for plastic surgery. He writes about botox injection techniques, facelift surgery, and rhinoplasty.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Dave-Stringham/25650

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