What is Botox

Botox is the most popular and commonly used type A injection of botulinum toxin. These injections contain neurotoxins that affect the nerves and cause temporary paralysis. Once the toxin is injected into a muscle, it prevents muscle movements for a limited time by blocking the nerve signals. Without the nerve signals, the muscle is unable to contract, which diminishes the wrinkles and fine lines and gives a smoother texture and appearance to the skin.

Widely, botulinum toxins are used for cosmetic treatments, such as treating fine lines and wrinkles in the face and neck areas. But, these injections have both cosmetic and medical uses.

How Botox Works?

Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxic protein that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This protein acts on the nerve endings by blocking the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. It temporarily disables or prevents muscle cell contraction. When injected directly into the facial or neck muscles, it forces them to relax and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, crow’s feet, and frown lines.

Botox injections don’t work immediately. They usually require a few days to show the effects and even the effects are localized. It means that only the treated muscles will be affected, and the rest body muscles will contract as usual. The toxins of Botox® remain active in the target area for about 3 to 6 months. Then these toxins are metabolized and excreted from the body.

Cosmetic Use of Botox

Botox has been approved for cosmetic use to-

Smooth out crow’s feet, forehead furrows, frown lines, bunny lines, and lip lines.
Reduce the appearance of neckbands.
Improve the appearance of skin dimpling on the chin.
Lift the mouth corners.
Soften a square jawline.
Correct a gummy smile.

How Are Botox Injections Administered?

Botox injections are usually administered without anesthesia in a clinical setting. The procedure is carried out on an outpatient basis and takes around 10 to 30 minutes. The steps involved are explained below-

The dermatologist starts by pinpointing the correct spots to address the patient’s concerns.
A very thin needle is used to inject only small amounts of botulinum toxin into the specific muscles.
In some cases, ultrasound may be used to guide the needle to the right muscles to provide the desired results.

The toxin will take around 24 to 72 hours to take effect. The number of shots given to the patient will depend on the areas being treated. After giving the injections, the patient is given detailed post-op care instructions and then sent home.

Risks & Side Effects of Botox Injections

In most cases, people don’t experience any side effects from Botox injections. And if any side effect does appear, it’s only temporary. Some unwanted side effects of Botox include-

Mild pain, swelling, or bruising around the injection site
Headaches
Numbness
Temporary unwanted weakness in the surrounding muscles

In rare instances, patients may develop antibodies in response to the toxins, which will make the subsequent treatment ineffective.

Recovery After Botox Treatment

The recovery after Botox is immediate, and there is no downtime. The patients can resume their daily activities right after the treatment. However, it’s important to keep certain things in mind to get the best results.

Avoid touching the treated area for at least 24 hours, as touching may cause the toxin solution to spread to other muscles.
Do not exercise or perform any type of strenuous activities.
Apply ice to the treated area in case minor swelling or bruising is present.
Don’t lie down for at least four hours after the injection as this can spread the solution to other areas.
Avoid drinking alcohol as it acts as a blood thinner and can increase the risk of bruising after the procedure.

The patient needs to be patient as the toxins will take a day or two to show the full effects. The doctor will provide detailed aftercare instructions depending on the individual case and treatment received.

Benefits of Botox Injections

Botox injections have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on the face. Some key benefits of these botulinum toxin injections are:

Reduces the Appearance of Wrinkles: Botox injections can help smooth out wrinkles and fine lines on the face, particularly in the forehead, around the eyes (crow’s feet), and around the mouth.
Non-surgical Treatment:Unlike many other cosmetic procedures, Botox injections are non-surgical and require no downtime, which means patients can return to their normal activities right after the procedure.
Quick Procedure:The procedure typically takes less than 20-30 minutes and can be done in a doctor’s office, which makes it a convenient option for people with busy schedules.
Temporary Effects:The effects of Botox injections typically last for 3-6 months, which means patients can try it out without committing to a long-term result.
Safe and Effective: Botox injections are generally safe and effective when administered by a trained and certified professional.
Improved Confidence:Most people feel more confident and satisfied with their appearance after receiving Botox injections, which can have a positive impact on their overall quality of life.

Botox Injection Price in India

The cost of botox treatment for different body parts usually varies from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 1,20,000. The exact cost of Botox treatment will be different for each patient, primarily depending on the areas being treated and units of the required toxins. The cost for different body parts for one session is given below-