What are the Side Effects of BOTOX??

Individuals with facial wrinkles in Columbus, Ohio or in other parts of the state or country may find success in reducing the appearance of these signs of aging through BOTOX®. This is an injectable treatment that works by preventing muscles in the face from contracting so that the wrinkles they cause do not form. Over time, wrinkles may begin to appear as facial expressions are made. Examples are crow's feet around the eyes, glabellar lines between the eyebrows, and more. When certain facial expressions are made, these wrinkles may appear. The treatment works to reduce their appearance by preventing the muscles that cause the wrinkles to form from contracting.

These types of wrinkles are known as dynamic wrinkles. They differ from static wrinkles, which appear even when no facial expressions are made and muscles are at rest. BOTOX® works by blocking the transmission of nerve signals that tell the muscle to contract. Because the muscle does not receive these signals, it does not contract even when making a facial expression. Because it does not contract, the wrinkle cannot form, thus reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles.

Over time, though, the effects of the treatment wear off and further treatment sessions are required to maintain results. Patients may find that they must seek further treatment every six months, although this may vary. Some patients notice that the muscle becomes less responsive, however, as treatment is regularly administered when effects start to wear off. Patients are encouraged to talk with a Columbus cosmetic specialist familiar with this injectable treatment to learn more and to determine how often they may need to seek treatment with BOTOX® to maintain results.

Side effects of the treatment may include flu-like symptoms, nausea, headache, eyelid drooping, muscle weakness, and more. Some patients experience discomfort or pain around the injection site, and redness in the area has been associated with the procedure as well. There may be a slight stinging or discomfort during the injection, although this may be short-lived and patients generally do not require an anesthetic during the application of treatment.

Patients will discuss their candidacy for treatment with the specialist prior to treatment. Individuals who have a neurological problem may not be considered good candidates, while women who are pregnant may not be considered good candidates either. The same may apply to women who are breastfeeding.

Each session may require multiple injections depending on the number of wrinkles being treated. An evaluation with a cosmetic specialist will help better determine the number of injections required. The number of injections required per session will impact the ultimate cost of each session, so a thorough discussion with a specialist is helpful in evaluating whether this treatment is right for you.

Learn more about BOTOX® in Columbus, Ohio.

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