Many of our patients already know that Botox is a good way to treat lines and wrinkles. It can be especially effective for treating dynamic lines that are made as a result of muscle movement. However, you may be interested in what Botox is made of and how it works to treat these wrinkles.
At Enriched Aesthetics, we work hard to not only guide you towards the treatments that will offer the most benefits for you, but we also seek to make sure you understand the medications that are used so that you can make the best decisions for your body. We offer Botox treatments along with detailed one-on-one consultations in Morristown, NJ, so that you can get all the information you need.
What Is Botox?
Botox, or Botulinum toxin type A is a product that is injected in small and controlled doses to treat a variety of cosmetic concerns. In addition to its cosmetic uses, Botox has also been used to resolve or control certain medical conditions. It is a neuromodulator, meaning that it interrupts signals between the nerves and muscles and temporarily paralyzes muscles. During one Botox session, your injector may inject one area or several depending on the concerns that you have.
What Is Botox Made Of?
The main ingredient in Botox injections is a neurotoxic protein called Botulinum toxin. This protein is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. While it has “toxin” in its name, this medication is not toxic to your system when injected in specific doses by an experienced injector. During the production process, the protein undergoes rigorous purification and dilution until it is suitable for therapeutic or cosmetic applications.
Botox also includes other proteins. The addition of these ingredients helps to stabilize the formulation and protect the product during storage, transportation, and injection to ensure its efficacy.
How Does Botox Work?
Botox works by attaching itself to the nerve endings in the injected area and preventing certain messenger chemicals from being released. Since these messengers tell the muscles to move, any muscles that are in the treatment area will be able to stay relaxed because they won’t be receiving the information needed to contract.
Botulinum toxin treatments are specifically effective for a certain type of wrinkle called dynamic wrinkles. These wrinkles are formed when the skin folds in the same location over a period of many years. They are prominent in areas such as the forehead or at the corners of the eyes where expressions such as smiling, squinting, frowning, or raising the eyebrows cause the skin to fold. Because muscle movement is needed for these expressions, relaxing these muscles helps to smooth the skin.
What Cosmetic Concerns Can Botox Treat?
Crow’s Feet
When you smile a genuine smile, the corners of your eyes can crinkle. This can cause little sunburst wrinkles that can grow more prominent over time. With regular Botox treatments, these lines can fade, allowing for the skin at the corners of your eyes to stay smooth.
“11” Lines
11’s are the vertical lines that often appear in between the eyebrows. These lines can make the face appear more aged or stern and many people are interested in treating this area using Botox. These injections can be an effective way to smooth frown lines and make you look more youthful.
Forehead Lines
Forehead lines appear from certain habitual expressions that involve raising the eyebrows. This type of line can often be deep and difficult to treat using other methods. By injecting certain points throughout this area, we can help minimize the appearance of forehead wrinkles.
What Medical Concerns Can Botox Treat?
TMJ Disorder
Botox treatments can also be helpful for a wide range of medical concerns. At our clinic, we can offer patients help with TMJ pain. The TMJ, or temporomandibular joint, is the joint that connects the jaw to the skull. TMJ disorders can be painful and can cause a wide range of symptoms from headaches to jaw pain. By injecting Botox into the muscles around the jaw, we can reduce discomfort in certain patients with TMJ disorders.
Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, is a condition that can cause discomfort for many people. The botulinum toxin works by blocking the nerves responsible for activating your sweat glands. When your nerves can’t signal your sweat glands, you don’t sweat as much. We can offer this treatment at our practice.
Migraine Headaches
Botox is FDA-approved for treating migraine headaches and can be effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of migraines. During this treatment, we inject the medication into specific points on the head, face, and other areas to help block the release of chemicals involved in pain transmission.
How Long Does Botox Take to Work?
Botox injections do not work immediately upon injection. It typically takes up to five days to begin seeing results from the treatment and another week or more to see the full results. The timeline can vary from person to person based on the area being treated, the specific dosage, and the patient’s individual body.
Treat Your Wrinkles and Lines With Botox Injections
The ingredients in Botulinum toxin treatments are designed to offer relief for those with certain conditions, or results for those looking for an effective cosmetic treatment for wrinkles. Regardless of why you are interested in this treatment, we would love to talk to you at Enriched Aesthetics to discuss your situation. Call us today at (973) 241-1838 for services in Morristown, NJ, or fill out a form on our contact us page.
