As one of the most popular cosmetic injectables in the world, Botox® is used by people from all walks of life, including showbiz celebrities and everyday people who want to rejuvenate their faces. But what ingredients does this miraculous treatment contain?
Read on as Dr. David T. Jacobs, our aesthetic specialist at South Shore Vein and Aesthetic Medicine in Rockville Centre, New York, explains how Botox reduces lines for months at a time to help you look as young as you feel.
Produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin that blocks the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that sends out messages to the muscles to contract.
You may be thinking, “What do muscle contractions have to do with the wrinkles on my face?”
As you age, your skin loses collagen and elastin, the two main proteins keep your skin strong, elastic, and bouncy. Each time your skin wrinkles — as you smile or squint your eyes — the overlying skin gets stretched. In younger people, the skin can return to its initial position with no problems. But as you age, this continuous stretching of skin leads to lines and wrinkles.
To lessen the appearance of these “dynamic wrinkles,” Botox injections effectively stop the constant contractions of the underlying muscles that make fine lines and wrinkles appear so prominent. As a result, the overlying skin relaxes, smoothes out, and appears wrinkle-free.
Facial aging is a complex process. Not only do wrinkles appear, but there’s also a loss of facial volume. This loss of volume may make you look gaunt, but it can cause wrinkles as well. Botox can be used on the following areas:
Botox only treats dynamic wrinkles, or those caused by muscle movements. For wrinkles caused by loss of volume, our specialists use dermal fillers to restore the lost volume and eliminate lines.
Botox may start weakening muscle contractions within two days of treatment, but you won’t see the final results until at least 14 days have passed. Your results can last anywhere between two and three months, although for some, wrinkle-free skin may last longer.
Injecting Botox is a pretty simple process that involves zero downtime. The slight discomfort you may feel is caused by the brief insertion of tiny needles, not by the substance itself. Most people can go right back to their usual routine. Some may experience some mild redness and bruising that goes away within a day or two.
If you’re looking to rejuvenate your face, we can help. Dr. Jacobs offers a range of treatments that target aging in a non-invasive manner, including Botox, dermal fillers, and thread lifts.
Based on your aesthetic needs and goals, he can recommend a customized anti-aging plan that works best for you. Give us a call today, or click online to schedule a visit at South Shore Vein and Aesthetic Medicine in Rockville Centre, New York, at your convenience.
