Botox Injections: Purpose, Procedure and Results

The Botox injection procedure is designed to counter the effects of ageing. Here’s a fact that may shock you — humans start ageing as soon as they reach adulthood. As soon as our early twenties, our bodies start deteriorating, though very slowly. This process is only made faster by external factors like poor air quality, bad food choices, stress, lifestyle etc. 

It’s no wonder why many people have started to get fine lines a lot earlier than usual. But luckily, there are ways of removing the telltale signs of ageing. Perhaps the most effective of them is undergoing a Botox injection procedure.

If you’ve ever watched a Hollywood-inspired movie with an older lady character, you’ve probably heard of Botox in passing. Most of us know that Botox is commonly used to treat fine lines, wrinkles, slack muscles, etc. In this blog, we’re going to let you in on everything you need to know about Botox treatments. From the purpose down to the results, we will show you what to expect from Botox procedures. 

What is Botox?

Essentially, Botox is a protein. It’s used to weaken and paralyze muscles for both cosmetic and medical reasons. It’s made from a neurotoxin created from the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. This toxin is extremely poisonous. But in tiny quantities, it can perform various medical functions without side effects.

There are seven serotypes or strains in the botulinum toxin. They’re divided into A, B, C1, D, E, F, and G. Commercially available toxins are mainly type A and – sometimes – B. Manufacturers use incredibly minuscule amounts of this toxin in creating the Botox injection we use today. The toxin was approved for the treatment of glabella (forehead) lines in 2002. Since then, the drug has been manufactured by many other companies. 

However, the word “Botox” isn’t the name of the drug or treatment. It’s the name of the first commercially available botulinum toxin, Botox. Other companies have created products with the same toxin but with a different name. The most commonly used are: 

• Onabotulinumtoxin A (Botox®)
• Abobotulinumtoxin A (Dysport®)
• Incobotulinumtoxin A (Xeomin®)
• Rimabotulinumtoxin B (Myobloc®)

Botox is just the most widely known name because it was the first of its kind. It’s one of the most well-known cosmetic procedures. Let’s take a look at what this toxin is used for and how it works.

Botox Treatment in Newmarket: Uses and How It Works

According to the Huffington Post, botulinum type A is one of the top-selling non-surgical cosmetic procedures available. Of course, this toxin’s primary use is to help reduce or prevent the onset of wrinkles and fine lines on the face. 

Most of the botulinum toxin on the market is used for this purpose. However, botulinum is quite versatile and can be used in several ways. Here are some of the applications of Botox injections:

• Wrinkles on the forehead, between the eyebrows and at the sides of the eye.
• Fine lines, laugh lines at the sides of the mouth.
• Hyperhidrosis i.e., severe underarm sweating.
• Reducing symptoms of overactive bladders due to neurological conditions. Botulinum toxin should only be applied if anticholinergic medications don’t help.
• Cervical dystonia – a neurological disorder that affects the head and causes neck pain.
• Squints and crossed eyes in people older than twelve
• Preventing migraines.
• Eyelid twitching
• Upper limb spasticity. This procedure can only be done if the person is older than two years old.

How Does Botox Work?

Like we said before, Botox is made with a neurotoxin, botulinum. The toxin does its job by disrupting the communication between your nerves. Sounds scary? We understand, but it’s a really smooth process in reality.

Our nerves have a unique way of signalling. This signalling is the way nerves stimulate your muscles to contract and release. This signalling happens when the nerves release acetylcholine. The chemical binds itself to muscle receptors and stops them from contracting and releasing. 

Botox treatments in Newmarket are aimed at stopping signalling by delaying the production of acetylcholine for an extended period. This way, the muscles cannot contract, and they become very relaxed. As a result, those fine lines and wrinkles will relax and disappear.

 

Who Should Get Botox?

Botox has long since been associated with ageing people. However, while Botox has many restrictions on who can use it, age isn’t one of them. As long as you’re over the age of 18, which is the legal age required for most cosmetic procedures, you can get Botox done. 

If you don’t have any preexisting medical conditions, Botox is an excellent option for you. But you should always check with a medical aesthetician who has experience with Botox injection procedures.

Who Should Not Get Botox?

While we wish everyone could enjoy the results of Botox treatments in Newmarket, it is not available for some people. Individuals with certain conditions are advised not to get Botox because it may aggravate existing issues. You should not get Botox if you are:

• Pregnant
• Breastfeeding.
• Have a skin infection
• Are allergic to cow’s milk protein
• Have a neuromuscular condition

The Purpose of Botox Treatments

Even though Botox is a cosmetic procedure limited to the face, it has several applications. The face does have 42 muscles, after all. There are ten facial treatment areas where Botox can be applied:

Forehead lines

These are the horizontal lines that appear when you raise your eyebrows. They’re also known as surprise lines. If these are very deep, they become hard to treat. However, Botox can soften their appearance on your face.

Frown lines

Frown lines are those vertical wrinkles that form between your eyebrows whenever you frown. These are also called glabella lines. 

Crow’s feet

The lines that appear at the side of your eyes. They’re cute when they appear while you’re smiling. But, not so much when you can see them even when you’re not smiling. 

Hooded eyes

Over time, the skin under your eyebrow will droop over your upper eyelid, giving you a tired and worn look. A careful injection in the right places can sculpt and lift that skin, opening up your eye and making you look more refreshed.

Bunny lines

These lines appear when you scrunch up your nose. They can easily be taken care of by carefully injecting Botox at either side of the nose.

Chin

As people age, the mentalis muscles in the chin start becoming overactive. This means when you use them to eat, smile, talk and laugh, they flex more than they should, creating a dimpled or puckered effect. Botox can relax these muscles, relieving this effect.

Bruxism

Bruxism is the prolonged grinding of teeth and jaw clenching. It slowly but surely wears down the teeth. Also, it can cause both head and earaches. Bruxism happens unconsciously most of the time – during sleep or in times of great anxiety. While it can be treated with a mouth guard, Botox can help as well. A careful Botox injection in the jaw can treat the condition.

Lipstick lines

Starting to see lines around your top and lower lip? That’s one sign that’ll tell you when to get Botox. These lines form as we age and can be enhanced by smoking.

Neck

When some people grow older, lines start to form on their necks. These lines can be horizontal or vertical. Horizontal lines can appear as long creases, sometimes reaching all the way around the neck. 

Vertical lines are caused by platysma muscles, which are long and rope-like. They are particularly apparent when speaking or eating. It’s also known as “turkey neck.” These lines can be easily smoothed with the help of a Botox injection procedure. 

Under Eyes

Subtle creases directly under lowered eyelids can be treated with Botox. However, we do not recommend you undergo this procedure unless you have 100% confidence in your medical aesthetician. This is because an injection in the wrong spot can cause your eyelids to droop. 

 

Now that you know where Botox can be applied, you’re nearly set. Next, we’ll tell you what to expect from Botox and how to prepare for the procedure. 

Related article: Are Botox Injections Effective and Safe

How to Prepare for Botox Treatments

Botox is a non-surgical procedure that doesn’t take a lot of time. However, you still need to take steps to make sure your Botox treatment results will come out stunning. Thankfully, there isn’t all that much to be done.

• Make sure your treatment provider has an appropriate license. Feel free to ask about their experience with the procedure, especially in the location you specify.  
• Tell your cosmetic injector about your medical history, allergens, current and preexisting conditions, medications, etc. Leave absolutely nothing out. This will ensure your beauty care provider knows all the risks and any variables before starting the procedure.
• You may need to avoid alcohol and blood thinners like aspirin a few days before your procedure.
• Also, if you’re a lady and you plan on wearing makeup to and from your appointment, come along with some makeup wipes and some makeup products. You’ll be expected to cleanse the treatment area before the procedure, so don’t expect your foundation to survive it.

Cost of Botox Treatments in Newmarket

Before we talk about the procedure, let’s explore the pricing first. Though you understand why you need Botox injections, the same probably can’t be said for your medical insurance company. You’ll almost certainly be footing this bill yourself. 

The price of Botox depends on certain factors like:

• Who’s handling the procedure
• Where the procedure is taking place
• Whether the procedure is medical or cosmetic and;
• How many units will be needed?

Depending on the spa, individual Botox unit prices in Newmarket may range between $12 to $50 per unit. Also, you may need up to 20 units depending on the size of the treatment area. 

The Procedure for Botox Treatments 

The doctor will dissolve the botulinum powder in saline and inject it into the required muscle with a micro-thin needle. You won’t need any anesthesia. At most, you may feel a slight pricking or burning pain, maybe a three on a pain scale of 10. Women near menstruation may feel slightly more pain because of their heightened senses during that period. 

One to three injections are usually required per muscle. You may be asked to make some faces to make some muscles easier to find. The cosmetic injector may also ask you to restrict movement in the treated area while the solution settles in. 

You may be instructed not to lie down or bend over for a few hours after completing the treatment. Avoid rubbing the area until at least a day after the treatment to ensure you don’t spread the Botox to other areas.

You may not notice a change immediately after the procedure is over. It usually takes about one to three days for the first changes to appear and up to two weeks for the final effects. By this time, your skin should’ve smoothened visibly. In the days following the treatment, avoid heavy exercise and don’t sunbathe, not even in a sunbed. This will help you avoid any problems and make sure your Botox treatment results don’t fade too quickly.

Risks and Side Effects of Botox Treatments

Like every other treatment, Botox injection procedures come with risks and side effects. Here are some of the most common ones:

• Bruising 
• Redness
• Swelling
• Headaches
• Short-term flu symptoms
• Dry eye
• Upset stomach
• Numbness
• Temporary paralysis in nearby muscles causing a frozen look
• Temporary drooping eye

Cases where serious side effects are noted, like a worsening in neuromuscular diseases, corneal ulceration, and blurry vision, are rare. The chances of serious side effects can be reduced to near nothing with an experienced cosmetic injector handling your procedure.

Conclusion

Botox injection procedures are a great way to get your face looking fantastic without having surgery or undergoing any painful treatments. Plus, the results are long-lasting, risks are minimal, and you can postpone repeat sessions if you want. The only thing you have to worry about is finding the right medical spa to get Botox treatments. 

Check out our medical spa in Newmarket. At Canada MedLaser, we offer safe and effective Botox treatments. Thanks to the expertise of our medical aestheticians, we can be sure of beautiful results you’ll love. Discuss your Botox needs with any one of our medical aestheticians by contacting us today.