What Are Botox Cosmetic Injections?
Though Botox injections have several medical uses, the most popular use for Botox is cosmetic. Botox is used to provide a youthful appearance to patients who are eager to slow the aging process by smoothing their lines and wrinkles.
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What It Is
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Botox cosmetic injections are used as an anti-aging treatment. Unlike most anti-aging treatments, Botox does not prevent wrinkles from forming; it simply makes lines and wrinkles invisible to the eye by plumping the area in which the Botox is injected.
What It's Made Of
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Botox injections are made from the bacteria responsible for causing botulism food poisoning--Botulinum toxin. It may seem dangerous to inject such a volatile substance into the body; however, when Botox is administered in miniscule doses, the result is wrinkle-free skin.
Who Needs Botox?
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The ideal candidate for Botox cosmetic injections is a patient aged 18 to 65 who would like to rid the face and neck area of lines and wrinkles. Considering that Botox also is used to treat muscle spasms and tremors, however, ideal patients of non-cosmetic Botox injections are patients who suffer from diseases or disorders that cause involuntary muscle spasms and tremors.
Where is Botox Applied?
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Botox cosmetic injections may be applied throughout the face and neck area; this includes the delicate eyelids and lip areas.
How Long Does it Last?
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Botox is effective for up to four months. The lasting effects, however, may be considerably shorter depending on the dosage and area applied. Botox can be re-injected in as little as three months.
Side Effects
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FDA approved in 2002, Botox is considered to be a safe cosmetic treatment with minimal side effects; patients who experience side effects due to Botox are few and far between. Though rare, Botox may cause temporary muscle paralysis to facial muscles within close proximity to the injected area.
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References
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