Botox: What To Expect During And Following Treatment

Botox treatment is a convenient and effective way to get rid of wrinkles and facial lines so that you regain a more youthful appearance. It involves injecting a protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. This will prevent the release of a substance needed for your nerve cells to communicate with each other, effectively causing paralysis in that area. As a result the skin becomes smooth, causing wrinkles and lines to fade, or disappear completely. If you have an appointment to get Botox for the first time, here's what you need to know. 

It's Safe

When Botox is administered correctly, it is a safe way to minimize lines and wrinkles. Your dermatologist uses a highly diluted form of the protein in a targeted fashion. So while Botox is a neurotoxin, it is safe and effective for cosmetic dermatology. The needle your dermatologist will use to inject Botox is very small, so don't worry about pain. You will of course feel a pinching sensation, but most dermatologists use a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort. Following the injections, you'll be given a cold pack to soothe any redness, or swelling that may develop as a result of the injection. The entire process takes about 15 minutes.

After the Procedure

There is no downtime with Botox. You can literally go out on your lunch hour and have it performed and return to work without a problem. There may be a small amount of redness immediately after the treatment, but as long as you apply the cold pack the redness should resolves quickly, in about 10 minutes. Most people who get Botox experience no pain. However, a small segment of people experience a headache. This is generally mild, short-lived and easily controlled with over-the-counter pain medication. 

Results Are Not Immediate

First-timers often mistakenly believe that they will see results immediately upon leaving their dermatologists office. Unfortunately this is a common misconception. You will not notice a visible difference immediately following your treatment. It takes a little bit of time for the Botox to work. You can typically expect to see results within about seven days after you've had the injections. You should notice that the treated area is smoother and that your face looks more refreshed. Expect the result to last between three to six months.

Side Effects

Because Botox is safe, serious side effects are rare when administered by a professional. If you notice breathing problems, weakness that affects your entire body, lingering pain at the injection site, a crooked smile, or drooping, contact your doctor immediately. This could be a sign of a serious reaction.

Contact professionals like Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Specialists of Moreno Valley for more information.