All About Your Botox Treatment…
What is Botox?
Botox Cosmetic is a natural, purified non-animal protein derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Performing Botox treatments have been approved for use in Canada since 2001, and can only be administered by healthcare professionals. With a variety of treatment benefits, it is most commonly used in for the diminishing of lines and wrinkles.
How does Botox work?
When Botox is expertly injected into the muscles of the face, it causes a temporary relaxation of the muscles by blocking nerve impulses. This process helps to soften expression lines and wrinkles, as well as minimize the impact some strong muscles can have on the effects of ageing. It is a non-surgical treatment, with no downtime.
When administered near a particular muscle, the Botox is absorbed into the nerve that causes the contraction of that muscle. Here, it will produce a temporary and targeted blockade of muscle contraction function without impacting the surrounding area. After several months, the body has enzymes that break up the Botox into its harmless, naturally occurring peptide components.
What is the procedure for Botox treatment?
The medical professionals at Refined Medspa begin with a thorough history and physical examination. During this time, they will discuss the areas of concern to you. After developing a clear understanding of these concerns, they will begin to treat the facial muscles causing undesirable wrinkle patterns. The procedure is conducted by using a very small needle to insert the Botox. Generally, the treatment itself lasts just a few minutes. There is very little discomfort and, in most circumstances, there is little or no bruising, allowing you to return to your regular day immediately afterward. Exercise, rubbing the treated areas, coughing or bending over should be avoided for 3 hours. Alcohol, heavy physical exertion, and excess heat should be avoided for 24 hours. After-care is discussed with each individual. You are welcome to address any questions that you may have about your procedure with our medical team.
Who is a candidate for Botox?
Anyone between the ages of 18 – 65 with frown lines or wrinkles that they find unattractive is an excellent candidate for Botox. The use of very small amounts of Botox into undesirable expression lines, and the muscles underneath them, can soften the lines and smooth soft tissue and the overlying skin. Botox treatment should not be performed if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. People with a history of certain neurological disorders should not have Botox treatment.
How long will it take to see results?
Once the Botox is administered, it takes approximately three hours to bind to specific acetylcholine receptors on the muscle that has been treated. You start to see a relaxation of the expressive ability of that muscle after two to three days. It may take two weeks for Botox to take full effect, so we schedule your follow-up appointment (for which there is no extra charge) at two weeks.
How long does Botox last?
The smoothing and reduction of wrinkles usually lasts for three to four months. The length of time can vary slightly depending on whether or not you are a fast metabolizer. After the first treatment follow-up, patients usually book their next appointment at three months. However, with repeated use, you may need less Botox, and the effects may last longer.
What specific areas can be treated with Botox?
The most common areas for Botox treatment are the frown lines between the eyebrows, crow’s feet around the sides of the eyes, and the horizontal forehead lines. These are the three areas where Botox is approved by Health Canada for the treatment of lines and wrinkles.
Off-label uses for Botox include the muscles that pull down the corner of the mouth, the circular muscle around the lips, the muscle that pulls down the tip of the nose, as well as the under-the-eye muscle that leads to creepiness under the eye. In addition, using Botox to treat the neck muscles can weaken necklace lines and tense neck cords.
How much does Botox cost?
The cost of Botox depends on the number of units used. You will be provided with an on-the-spot quote of what the cost would be for your personalized Botox treatment during your consultation with our medical team.
Are there any risks or complications may be associated with Botox?
All medical procedures have some degree of risk and the possibility of complications. Fortunately, when performed by qualified medical professionals, these complications are very rare.
With Botox, the most common complication is bruising. To minimize this risk, the medical team at Refined Medspa use a delicate technique to perform the treatments, minimizing the risk of bruising. Avoiding Aspirin and other anti-inflammatories (such as Advil / Ibuprofen or Naproxen) prior to your treatment will also help to minimize bruising. Some people may develop a mild headache or nausea. This can be treated with simple over the counter treatments, and will continue to improve after your treatment.
The qualified and professional medical team at Refined Medspa will thoroughly explain any possible risks during your initial consultation.
Other undesirable side effects and complications with Botox include movement of the product beyond the treated area to affect nearby muscles. If this happens, it is most common above the eyebrow, where it can weaken the muscle that holds up the eyelid. This weakening could cause a drooping or “ptosis” of the upper eyelid. The “droopy eye” may last for two to six months, but the effects can be softened somewhat with topical eye drops. Fortunately, this droopy eyelid side effect or complication is very rare when Botox is performed by a trained medical professional, and when patients follow carefully the post-procedure instructions, especially remaining upright and not rubbing the area for 3 hours. Other potential Botox complications may include not meeting your expectations. It is important to realize that Botox will not eliminate all lines, but will soften specific lines significantly. 50% to 75% softening of expression lines can be achieved.
What do I do after treatment with Botox?
After your Botox treatment:
Use Tylenol if necessary
Wait 6 hours before applying make-up, and use minimal pressure
For 1 hour: exercise the areas that were treated (e.g. practice frowning, or raising your eyebrows)
For 3 hours: remain upright and do not rub the treated areas
For 24 hours: refrain from strenuous physical activity, hot tubs, saunas, facials, alcohol or aspirin