Botox injections block certain chemical signals from nerves, mostly signals that cause muscles to contract. The most common use of these injections is to temporarily relax the facial muscles that cause wrinkles in the forehead and around the eyes.
In general, Botox lasts 3-4 months. There will certainly be patients in which in lasts longer, in that 4-6 month range, or shorter, in that 2-month range. It is also common for first-timers to notice that it may not last as long initially but may last longer after the second treatment.
Botox is the trade name for Botulinum Toxin Type A, a neurotoxin known for causing botulism, an illness that paralyzes muscles and can be fatal. Botox first got FDA approval to treat medical ailments such as muscle spasms, excessive underarm sweating and eyelid tics.
With topical anesthetic, a Botox® procedure can be virtually painless. Even without a numbing agent, pain is minimal, and you may only feel a little pinch. Injections are very quick and with a trained medical professional, you may not even notice when they happen.
Botox is approved for patients who are 18 years and older and most experts agree that patients in their mid to late 20s and early 30s are at a good age for preventative Botox treatment.
Compared to Botox, dermal fillers are just as effective. More importantly, the results last longer. However, the duration of the effects of dermal fillers still varies mostly on the type of filler. Some may last as long as Botox, while other types of fillers can last for more than a year.
Will it cause you to look older? From a medical point of view, once the effects of Botox wear off, your face will NOT look older. Actually the opposite happens with certainty. Botox injections help you get rid of some of the unwanted wrinkles around the eyes, forehead, chin etc….
Xeomin and Botox both contain botulinum toxin. But they are not the same drug. Unlike Botox, Xeomin contains a different form of botulinum toxin with no accessory proteins. Xeomin also has less storage restrictions, meaning it doesn't have to be refrigerated before use.
What are the types of botulinum toxin injections?
Sep 29, 2020
Dysport is more diluted than Botox. The difference in concentration typically occurs because Dysport uses smaller protein molecules to induce muscle relaxation. These smaller proteins are less likely to be broken down by antibodies, making the results of Dysport injections quite desirable for patients.
A study cited in the Journal of Neurological Sciences on the efficacy and safety of XEOMIN® found it showed “non-inferiority” to Botox® when used in the same doses to treat cervical dystonia. It concluded that XEOMIN® is a safe and effective treatment for the disorder.
10 to 30 units
Botox comes in dosages between 50 and 100 units per vial. Some practitioners say they inject an average of 10 to 30 units into the forehead. Allergan, the manufacturer of Botox Cosmetic, suggests a dosage of 4 units each in five sites on the forehead, totaling 20 units.
A lip flip is a nonsurgical cosmetic procedure that can help people achieve a fuller upper lip without dermal filler. The procedure involves Botox injections into your upper lip to relax the muscles and “flip” your lip upward. It's a less expensive option than a dermal filler because it uses very few units of Botox.
Most people require more than one syringe to achieve the desired results. Botox, on the other hand, is measured in units and typically costs around $10 to $15 per unit. An average dosage of 30-40 units might be used to treat the forehead and eye area, for example, making the total cost around $300 to $600.
4 Tell-Tale Signs You've Had BOTOX® (and How to Avoid Them)
Aug 1, 2020
In the United States, the FDA has approved Botox Cosmetic for people aged 18 to 65. But you shouldn't use it if you: Are allergic to any ingredients in Botox or Botox Cosmetic. Are allergic to another botulinum toxin brand (such as Myobloc, Xeomin or Dysport) or had any side effect from these products in the past.
If you stop BOTOX treatments after many years of regular injections, the only effect will be that your wrinkles will return, albeit a bit more slowly than if you had not been using BOTOX. It's true: Even after you stop, you will still look younger than you would have if you had never been injected.
When botulinum toxin is used properly, the incidence of these complications is low. There are no long-term or life-threatening adverse effects related to botulinum toxin treatment for any cosmetic indications.
What does botox feel like as it's happening? Patients claim that it “barely hurts” and many find that the results are well worth any discomfort, even the point of getting it done repeatedly. When the injection is taking place, you will feel a slight stinging at the injection site.