Q. What is Botox?
A. Botox is a purified protein that is produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. This protein can be injected into certain wrinkles to reduce or even eliminate their appearance.
Q. How does Botox work?
A. To understand how this works, first, you need to understand what causes the fine lines and wrinkles that are being targeted. Muscle activity over an extended period of time can cause lines, such as frown lines or crow’s feet to develop. Botox works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses in the muscle it is injected into. This reduces the activity of the muscles that cause those lines to form, leaving you with smoother, wrinkle-free skin.
Q. What kind of results can I expect?
A. After treatment, it can take anywhere from four to seven days for patients to see a significant improvement. Results will continue to improve for up to one month after the injection. Though Botox is effective and offers great results, it does not last forever. Typically results last up to four months, meaning additional Botox injections will be required to maintain results.
Q. Will my face look unnatural?
A. Due to the way it is often represented in media, many patients worry their face will look unnatural and frozen after treatment. As long as you go to an experienced doctor for treatment, that should not be the case. A qualified professional will know how much to use to give you natural-looking results.
Q. Am I a good candidate for Botox?
A. Though it is a popular cosmetic solution, it is not for everybody. Patients with super deep wrinkles may get better results with something like a filler. Those with neuromuscular disorders should also not have Botox injections. Be sure to be open about your medical history so your provider can determine if Botox is a good option for you.
Contact Dermatology Specialists of Charlotte, Charlotte’s top Ballantyne and Blakeney Dermatologist, for your dermatology care.