How to Inject Botox

Injecting Botox

Botox, also known as Botulinum toxin, is a protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Botox was originally used to treat muscle spasms, but is now marketed under the name "Botox Cosmetic" for the use of minimizing wrinkles and lines, especially in the face. Botox is a botulism toxin, related to the food poisoning of the same name, which causes paralysis. Botox is intended to relax muscles, temporarily paralyzing the muscles it has been injected into for as long as the Botox stays in the patient's system, which is usually about four to six months. A doctor or nurse must administer Botox to patients.

Things You'll Need

• Sterile cotton ball
• Rubbing alcohol
• Preserved saline
• Sterile syringe with 0.5-inch 30-gauge needle
• 3 ml of Botox Cosmetic

Instructions

1. Rub the insertion sites thoroughly with a sterile cotton ball and rubbing alcohol. Allow the alcohol to evaporate completely.

2. Dilute the Botox with a small amount of denatured saline and extend the syringe so 3 ml of Botox is gathered.

3. Place the needle approximately halfway into the patient's face at one side of the frown line. As the patient makes a frowning expression with his or her face, inject six units into the muscle. Repeat with six units on the other side.

4. Ask the patient to lift his or her eyebrows. Inject three units of Botox on each side of the center of the brow where these lines form.

5. Carefully massage the injection sites to spread out the treatment. Instruct the patient to stay upright for four hours following the treatment and move the face around, exercising the muscles that have been injected at least 10 times per hour for these first four hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Preservative-free saline provides less pain for the patient upon injection than ordinary saline.

• Do not inject Botox if you are not a registered doctor or nurse who is trained to administer it.

References

• SkinAndAging.com: Injecting Botox

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• RealSelf.com: How to Inject Botox