Botox injections are the most commonly performed cosmetic procedure in the United States. More than 7 millions treatments took place in the country in 2017, which is more than the entire population of the state of Washington.
Botox’s popularity is a testament to its effectiveness in achieving a youthful, relaxed appearance. Orange Coast Dermatology in Rancho Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo, California, provides Botox treatments that can make you look years younger.
Botox improves the appearance of lines that are created by repetitive facial movements, such as laugh lines, crow’s feet, and forehead wrinkles. Botox works by blocking the nerve signals to the muscles that create those lines.
When the muscles can’t contract, they can’t produce wrinkles. Botox can’t help with skin laxity and wrinkles caused collagen loss. Collagen, which diminishes with age, helps keep skin tight.
Botox is an FDA-approved drug that is derived from a neurotoxin called Botulinum A. It can sound scary when Botox is referred to as a toxin, but when used in miniscule amounts, it’s very safe.
After a consultation to ensure you’re a good candidate for Botox, your provider will carefully inject your muscles with tiny amounts of Botox using a very fine needle. Most patients report very little pain with the procedure.
Depending on the size of the treatment area, the procedure should only take a few minutes. Results may be noticeable within a day or two. Results vary, but you can expect Botox to take effect over the following 3-7 days, after which your results should last up to 6 months.
Once the treatment wears off, and the nerve signals return, your muscles will create fine lines and wrinkles again. When this occurs, you can repeat the procedure.
After your treatment, you should be able to return to your normal activities. You may experience some mild to moderate bruising, swelling, or redness around the injection site, but these side effects should leave in a few days. It may be a good idea to schedule Botox injections at least a week prior to an important event to make sure you’re looking your best.
To see if a Botox treatment can help you, book an appointment online or over the phone with Orange Coast Dermatology today.
