Although many associate botox with the frigid-faced queens that grace the screens of reality television, that’s not all that the miracle injection is about. In fact, botox lends its popularity to its versatility in uses; in fact from 2012 to 2013, use of botox rose 8%, and those numbers are only growing.
Curious about botox? Here’s all you need to know:
What is botox?
Prepared from a bacterial toxin called botulin, botox is a medication directly injected into the skin. In large amounts, botox is a potentially lethal substance that can cause botulism, a deadly disease. But with just the right amount of trace injections, botox is a highly viable protein used in a series of medical and cosmetic settings.
What are the uses of botox?
Botox is used for both medical and cosmetic purposes. Medically speaking, botox is used to treat a number of illnesses such as hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), overactive bladders, and migraines. Cosmetically, botox is used to smooth out wrinkles and lines in the face. Botox works by blocking the nerves that contract muscles.
What are the benefits of botox?
Botox is a noninvasive procedure that shows results in as little as 70 hours. Unlike procedures such as microdermabrasion, botox does not result in any increased sensitivity and lasts for a great deal of time (microdermabrasion is another procedure that reduces lines on the face). Botox is also a relatively accessible cosmetic and medical product that shows little to not side effects and is relatively affordable.
What should I watch out for?
Although there are little side effects to use botox, some may experience slight bruising, bleeding, or burning sensations after the procedure. If you are pregnant, the FDA recommends that you talk to your doctor about the procedure before having it. It is also important to get your botox injections done by a professional. Although mass injection botox party trends are currently popular, this often risks a decrease in quality of services and products, and that is something you just don’t want to risk!
