Botox 101: Everything You Need to Know
Until quite recently, talking about Botox® was considered somewhat taboo. As new findings from studies on injectables continue to surface, and - let's be honest - as the years pass, the topic of discourse around cosmetic injectables and individuals' desire to try them shifted dramatically.
Botox® is a minimally invasive cosmetic treatment, highly praised by many individuals. However, despite its pervasive nature, the internet is still flooded with incorrect information, which some people might find intimidating.
So, if you've ever been curious about Botox®, look no further. Below, we will answer all of your burning questions— what Botox is, how long it takes to kick in, and its benefits for people with TMJ and Migraines.
The Fascinating History of Botox®
The journey that led us to inject this Botox® into our bodies as a treatment for wrinkles is not only intriguing but also advantageous. Emile Pierre van Ermengem, a scientist from Belgium, made the first discovery of Clostridium botulinum in the aftermath of a botulism epidemic in Belgium.
In the 1920s, researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, made the first attempts to purify botulinum toxin. Despite this, it was not until 20 years later that Dr. Edward Schantz succeeded in isolating the crystalline form of botulinum toxin.
In the 1970s, medical professionals first began using botulinum toxin to treat strabismus (i.e., crossed eyes). While researchers observed the effects of this therapy on monkeys, they discovered that botulinum toxin smoothed out lines and wrinkles in the glabella (the area of skin above the nose and between the eyebrows).
Allergan was the first company to get a license to treat strabismus using botulinum toxin, and they branded it Botox after the drug's apparent effectiveness in treating the condition. Following that, the FDA granted permission for several other cosmetics and medicinal applications of Botox.
Here are the dates of various FDA approvals.
● Strabismus and Blepharospasm (1989)
● Cervical Dystonia (2000)
● Glabellar Lines (2002)
● Axillary Hyperhidrosis (2004)
● Chronic Migraines (2010)
● Urinary Incontinence (2011)
● Lateral Canthal Lines - Crow's feet (2013)
Botox's meteoric growth coincided, culturally speaking, with the launch of the Real Housewives reality television phenomenon produced by Bravo. In the third episode, which aired in 2006, the ladies of Orange County were given a house call from a Botox technician. It was a public accessory for women like Lauri Waring Peterson and Vicki Gunvalson, only for the rest of the world to doubt or aggressively mock their usage of the wrinkle relaxer.
Did you know roughly 7.4 million injections of Botox® (Botulinum Toxin) and 2.6 million injections of dermal filler were used in 2021, as stated in the most recent report on cosmetic surgery data published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons? As a result, they became two of the most popular cosmetic treatments in the United States. To put these figures into a better context, consider the fact that more individuals get injections of botulinum toxin in a single year than reside in Arizona.
With statistics like these, it is very evident that we have arrived at the pinnacle of the Botox masseter age. In contrast to a decade ago, when it was easy to discard Botox® as a pastime for the rich and the vain, this is no longer the case today. Botulinum toxin is rapidly gaining recognition as one of the most adaptable medicinal treatments available.
These injectables claim to restore youth for three to four months. You only need a few injections here and there during the year, administered discreetly at a medical spa like The Botox Lady, and you'll be good to go.
Botox® Basics – A Guide for Beginners
Botox® is the commercial name for a particular kind of botulinum toxin referred to as onabotulinumtoxinA. Clostridium botulinum is a bacterium responsible for producing neurotoxins known as botulinum toxins.
Many people believe that the botulinum toxin is the most lethal poison discovered by man. The question is, how did we get to the point where we inject it into faces and many other parts of bodies?
How Does Botox® Work?
C. botulinum is responsible for producing eight distinct varieties of botulinum toxin, which are designated by the letters A through G. The release of acetylcholine, which is one of the most important neurotransmitters in our bodies, is inhibited by all of these substances, achieving their therapeutic effect.
Since acetylcholine stimulates muscular activity, its inhibition results in the relaxation and paralysis of those muscles.
Botulinum toxin may be injected directly into the muscles of interest through injections. There, it directly influences the acetylcholine found in the synapses of the nerves, inhibiting the transmission of impulses that would ordinarily cause the muscle to contract.
The effect of type A is the most powerful, and it lasts the longest, followed by kinds B through F. At this time, preparations including Type A and Type B are available for purchase in the marketplace.
Patients will normally begin seeing the effects of Botox® approximately ten to fourteen days after administration. The effects will last for around two to three months or until new nerve terminals grow and make new synaptic connections, whichever comes first.
Botox® Application
When Botox® blocks a nerve receptor in the treated muscle, it stops it from contracting. Many muscles in your face contract when you show emotion (like squinting or smiling). You may not even realize you’re doing it! These muscles are the ones rendered immobile as a result of Botox®. Having said that, it is most widely used (and authorized by the FDA) to address wrinkles in the forehead and around the eyes.
Moreover, it is also authorized to treat persistent migraines and sweating beneath the arms. Unless you're an expert in how the muscles in this region work, you should seek the advice of an esteemed injector with a great track record of patients and plenty of great reviews, like The Botox Lady. Expert injectors are familiar with the physiology of your body —which brings us to the next point.
Botox® Terminologies
Botox® is the actual brand name of the medication prescribed botulinum toxin, administered to the face to relax the underlying facial muscles responsible for forming wrinkles and creases. Other kinds, such as Xeomin®, are also used, but Botox is by far the most well-known, so the whole category of medication is often referred to as "Botox."
On the other hand, fillers come in various forms, including hyaluronic acid fillers (Versa being a very popular brand name for hyaluronic acid fillers). To summarize, Botox® is most effective when used to reduce the appearance of dynamic lines and wrinkles, also known as expressive lines.
Fillers, on the other hand, are used to restore volume to regions of the face that have been hollowed out over time. Having this distinction under your belt is essential to achieving the greatest possible outcomes.
Botox® Eligibility – The Dos and Don'ts
Botox® may be administered to almost anybody as long as they are above 18. The majority of medical professionals believe that people in their mid to late 20s and early 30s are at an ideal age to have Botox® therapy. However, there are several factors and concerns to be aware of and adhere to for a successful and safe treatment.
● Choose a reliable and established medical spa.
● Be honest and thorough with your practitioner or injector.
● Avoid blood thinners two weeks before treatment.
● Follow aftercare as recommended by the physician.
● Don't get Botox® if pregnant or breastfeeding.
● Don't sunbathe or stay out for long periods.
● Don't get any facial treatments after Botox®.
● Don't rush back for further sessions.
The Timeframe for Botox®
One of the most surprising aspects of Botox® is that its effects do not appear immediately after treatment. It may take up to two weeks before you experience the full impact of the treatment; thus, you should wait at least 14 days before returning to the office for another treatment.
Now, if you were to ask, “How long do treatment effects typically last once completed?” That varies, but the average range is somewhere between three to four months (and up to six months for some). Since it takes some time for your facial muscles to become conditioned to the Botox, first-time users may notice that the treatment effects wear off more quickly.
On the other hand, since muscles become familiarized with relaxing for more extended periods, you will eventually need fewer treatments as time goes on.
Benefits of Botox for TMJ Disorders and Migraines
In recent years, Botox has emerged as a popular option as an alternate therapy for TMJ disorders and jaw discomfort. The use of Botox helps relax the tense facial muscles that are the source of pain in patients.
This therapy may frequently ease tension produced by headaches or migraines caused by grinding one's teeth or putting artificial stress on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) resulting from a poorly aligned bite.
Since many individuals suffer from TMJ disorders for extended periods, Botox may give immediate relief and ease the healing process.
Botox® Budget
The cost of each treatment may range anywhere from $189 to $900, depending on the number of units that are necessary to treat each part of your face, which is how Botox is often priced.
Be careful! Responding to a Groupon for a fraction of the cost is always tempting, but you should err on caution in this particular circumstance. With Botox treatments, you get what you pay for. So you want to ensure that the person administering the Botox has all of the appropriate training.
Demystifying Some Common Botox Myths
Have you been considering getting Botox injections for a while now? Most women and men have. It's possible that the thought occurred to you when you were getting ready for a date. Or maybe you and your pals were discussing this subject during Sunday brunch. You've probably even done some light reading or research but haven't gone as far as scheduling an appointment with an injector yet.
There are many reasons why individuals don't go ahead and get Botox injections. These arguments apply to men and women. For instance, some women acknowledge that it's because they've seen gruesome rumors on reality TV or heard ludicrous claims about how it has ruined someone's beauty. Other women, however, say that it's because they don't believe in such treatments.
The fact of the matter is that many people have the wrong idea about what Botox injections are and how they work. Let's separate the truth about Botox from the myths surrounding it so that you can make an informed decision about whether it's right for you.
Myth: Botox injections are quite painful.
Fact: They are quick and cause minimal pain.
Myth: Botox injections are poisonous.
Fact: Botox injections are safe.
Myth: Botox injections freeze facial expressions.
Fact: Botox injections reduce muscle movement.
Myth: Botox injections are for cosmetic purposes only.
Fact: The treatment is appropriate for various conditions.
Now that you know the actual facts regarding the widespread myths about Botox, it's time to make a decision. Remember to keep the facts in mind. Botox is a speedy and painless method of treating a wide variety of medical conditions, the most prevalent of which are premature aging (wrinkles and fine lines), migraines, eye spasms, and TMJ.
And if you're still not ready for Botox, there are a lot of alternative treatments—ranging from aesthetics to lasers—that may be more your style! The alternative is that you could simply embrace the entire process of getting older. The idea is to go after whatever makes you feel the most empowered. Remember, we're just here to guide you.
Frequently Asked Questions
● How often should you get Botox?
Once every three to four months.
● Where is the best spot to get Botox?
That depends on what areas you want to treat, but the forehead is always a good starting point.
● How does one get Botox?
Via injection in a medical practice.
● How many Botox units are required for the forehead?
Anywhere from 10 to 60 units.
The Final Cut
It's not wrong to say that over the years, Botox has quite literally changed the face of humanity. Released in 1989, it has grown in popularity because of its capacity to hold back time – or at least give the appearance of doing so. From eye spasms and crow's feet to excessive sweating and throbbing migraines, it almost feels unrealistic to expect this minimally invasive treatment to have any more tricks up its sleeves.
A formerly thought to be ridiculously vain therapy is now considered more than general body maintenance treatment. Since Botox is so readily accessible, it may be challenging to determine the best time to get started with the procedure—and that's where we come in.
Botox in Fort Lauderdale @ the Botox Lady
Your search for "Botox Fort Lauderdale" ends here.
At The Botox Lady (Fort Lauderdale's "Best Medical Spa" for straight two years), Jessica E. Lauren (aka The Botox Lady) and her team of medical aestheticians, practitioners, and physician’s assistants are prepared to develop an individualized treatment strategy to help you achieve the cosmetic outcomes you want. Interested in learning more about Fort Lauderdale Botox Experience (Consultation, Procedure, and Recovery) or other cosmetic procedures? You’re more than welcome to come in for a free consultation. See you soon!
918 NE 26th Ave
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
