In recent years, Botox has become a highly sought after anti-aging cosmetic procedure. Throughout the industry, Botox is used for a wide variety of purposes ranging from the removal of frown lines and crow’s feet to treating muscle spasms, hip and knee arthritis and most recently, migraine headaches.
Botox works by blocking the nervous system’s ability to make muscles contract and thereby conceals wrinkles in facial skin (and can reduce painful symptoms of some other conditions).
For most people who receive Botox injections, they are effective in reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles at least 80 percent of the time amid groups ages 35 to 60 years.
While it’s apparent that Botox can provide effective results on a temporary basis, it is also true that there are some side effects associated with the use of Botox that patients will want to take into account prior to receiving injections. If not used properly and within the supervision of a licensed medical professional, Botox can have serious complications. Because of this, the FDA has issued black-box warnings for Botox, while deeming it safe for cosmetic use only when used correctly. Minor side effects that can occur in users of Botox injections can consist of nausea, tenderness in the area surrounding the injection sites and some symptoms that closely resemble those of the common flu.
The only safe way to administer any type of Botox injections is within the care and supervision of a qualified physician. Typically the doctor will mark the injection points prior to administering the Botox beneath the surface of the skin. Generally the patient will be able to see the results within just a week from the date of injection and those results typically last for as many as five months.
Botox is widely considered to be an effective and safe procedure that is also cost-effective, but it is the responsibility of the patient to do her own research and select a skilled physician whom the patient believes is trustworthy.