Botox is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments for removing wrinkles. Many consider it as a miraculous treatment for wrinkles and fine lines. ‘Botox’ actually comes from the word ‘botulous’ which means sausage. It is called such because the substance is related to a naturally occurring poison, which can be found at dangerous levels in bad meat products.
What is Botox?
Botox is a drug made from a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. When done right and administered by a licensed professional, botulinum toxins can be safe and effective. The powerful toxin comes in powder form which the doctor dilutes in saline to make it injectable. It is important that the injection should be done by a professional or licensed dermatologist as it can lead to paralysis or death if not performed by a professional.
It is worth mentioning that Botox is not the same as dermal fillers.
How Does Botox Work?
In order for muscles to contract, nerves release the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at the junction where the nerve endings meet muscle cells. It will then attach itself to receptors on the muscle cells causing them to contract or shorten.
Botox injection prevents the release of acetylcholine preventing the contraction of the muscle cells. Botox blocks signals from the nerves to the muscles. This makes the wrinkles relax and soften. Botulinum toxin causes a reduction in abnormal muscle contraction allowing the muscles to become less stiff.
The procedure will only take a few minutes and does not require anesthesia. Botox is injected with a fine needle into specific muscles with only minor discomfort. It will take 3 to 7 days to take full effect. It is recommended that you avoid alcohol at least a week before the procedure. It is also best to stop taking aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications two weeks before treatment to lessen the bruising.
After the injection has moved from the dermis into the desired muscle, their synapses are blocked. As a result, even though your brain signals your body to move a particular muscle, botox will keep that muscle from moving.
Is Botox Safe?
Botox stays only in the area it was injected, it does not roam through the body. Even if the molecules were to go into the bloodstream and travel to distant sites in the body, the doses are significantly lower than the toxic dose that would be harmful to the system.
The procedure is relatively safe especially when at the hands of an experienced doctor. Inject too deep and you hit a blood vessel and bruise. Safety also boils down to what you do after the injection. As for Botox safety, this post will provide answers that will erase all doubts about this procedure for removing wrinkles.
How much does Botox cost?
When considering undergoing the procedure, you might be wondering about botox cost. While some offices and clinics charge a flat rate, depending on the area being treated. Some will charge you depending on the number of units of Botox used to achieve desired results. The price of botox fluctuates widely, which could cause large differences in the cost of the treatment. The following factors affect the cost of a Botox treatment:
- Size of area that requires treatment. The more areas you want to be treated, the more costly it will be. Keep in mind that numerous clinics offer discounts for treating multiple areas.
- Dose required for treatment. If the extent of your wrinkles is severe, more units of Botox may be needed, increasing the cost.
- Area that requires treatment. Some areas require more units of Botox than others. For example, armpits may require more units than laugh lines.
- Physical location. The price of Botox is likely to be higher in bigger cities such as New York and Los Angeles.
- Reputation of the person carrying out the treatment. It is not necessary for you to see a qualified doctor to inject Botox. If you want to get lower rates, you can opt for a Botox technician to administer the injection.
The quality of the service is usually the main factor that determines Botox cost. This is something you need to consider when carrying out the treatment. At Neoskin Center, we provide a Rewards program for our most loyal customers. Our team will advise you on the treatment options that will qualify you for the program and design the treatment that will help you earn the reward.
