BOTOX injections explained

One of the most common cosmetic treatments in America is BOTOX injections, with more than six million procedures performed each year. You’ll regularly hear people talk about how they used it to rejuvenate their skin, and some people also use it to treat medical conditions. But what is BOTOX?

How do BOTOX injections work?

BOTOX is a drug made from botulinum toxin that is used to cosmetically remove wrinkles and treat some muscle conditions by temporarily paralyzing a person’s facial muscles. While it is mostly known for wrinkle removal, BOTOX is also used to treat blepharospasm, strabismus, severe neck and shoulder muscle spasms, and similar conditions.

BOTOX injections normally only take about 10-20 minutes. They take 3-4 days to take effect, and can last 3-4 months. Once it takes effect, wrinkles are softened and, in some cases, eliminated, giving your face a more youthful look. After they wear off, you can get another treatment. While some doctors require a consultation before any appointments for BOTOX injections, some doctors will do a consultation and injections on the same day.

While there are no strict guidelines for how much BOTOX is too much to have injected each session, you don’t want so much that your face looks frozen or fixed.

BOTOX injections should be administered by an experienced physician, and you don’t need to see the same doctor every time you get the treatment. However, each doctor injects it a little bit differently, so it’s important to feel comfortable with your doctor.

The most common side effects of BOTOX are bruising, redness, swelling, and slight asymmetries (one side of the face looking a little different from the other). The worst risks of BOTOX injections are eyebrow or eyelid droop, but because of the temporary nature of BOTOX, even the side effects are temporary.

This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your physician.