Dynamic Wrinkles and Botox

Botox is a treatment used by patients in The Woodlands, Texas to relieve dynamic wrinkles in the face. These are wrinkles that form when a facial expression such as smiling or frowning is made. Common dynamic wrinkles include crow's feet around the eyes, worry lines on the forehead and glabellar lines between the eyebrows. Botox works to paralyze the underlying muscle that causes the wrinkle in the first place so that the wrinkle can no longer form.

Dynamic wrinkles should not be confused with static wrinkles, however. These are wrinkles that appear when the face is at rest. Dermal fillers and surgical procedures may be better suited for treating this type of wrinkles. Talk to a medical professional, though. Recommended treatments may vary from one patient to the other, as each patient presents a unique case.

Botox is injected directly into the muscle that causes the wrinkle. The Botulinum toxin type A in Botox then paralyzes the muscle so that it can no longer contract by blocking the nerve impulses transmitted to the muscle. Because the muscle is no longer able to contract, the wrinkle can no longer form and eventually disappears.

Some minor stinging may be present with Botox and the entire procedure takes just 10 minutes in many cases. There is no recovery time required and patients may return to work or resume other normal activities if they choose to do so. The paralysis brought on by Botox usually takes between one and five days and optimal results are usually noticeable after about two to four weeks. The results of Botox are not permanent, however, and as the effects of the treatment wear off, the wrinkle may begin to return. Most patients note that results last anywhere from three to six months, although this may vary.

Repeat treatments may lead to better results over time as the wrinkle becomes less responsive. This is a process known as chemical denervation. Follow up treatments are necessary to maintain results and patients are encouraged to discuss a maintenance program with a medical professional to ensure they are adequately treated.

Before Botox, or any treatment for that matter, patients must discuss their candidacy for the treatment with a medical professional. Those with an infection at the injection site or who have a hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of Botox are not candidates for this procedure. Moreover, those with neuromuscular disorders may be at an increased risk of systemic effects from just normal doses of Botox.

Common side effects associated with Botox include headache, flu-like syndrome, respiratory infection and eyelid droop. Some also experience nausea. More rare complications include pain in the face, injection site redness and muscle weakness.

Patients who would like to know more about Botox are encouraged to discuss the treatment with a medical professional at a reputable clinic in The Woodlands, Texas. This is often the best resource for further information pertaining to Botox and other cosmetic therapies.

Learn more about Botox in The Woodlands, Texas.