Botox, one of the most common medical aesthetic procedures, uses a drug derived from botulinum toxin type A. As a result of injections made in certain doses, patients are provided with advantages such as correcting wrinkles and lines, and achieving a younger and more vibrant appearance.
In Botox injection, nerve impulses that manage muscle contractions are blocked, creating a temporary paralysis effect in the muscles that cause wrinkles. As a result, a smoother and younger appearance is achieved.
The areas where Botox injection is most frequently used are; laughing/squinting lines, wrinkles in the neck area, vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows, forehead lines and wrinkles at the corner of the eyes.
How to Start Botox Treatment?
Patients who want to have Botox are first examined in detail by the doctor. The reality of their needs and expectations is evaluated. Detailed information is obtained from the patient about previous surgeries, medical history, medications used. The necessary examinations will be made in the area to be treated, and the skin texture, elasticity and wrinkle degree are evaluated.
If the patient is deemed suitable for Botox injection, they should stop taking aspirin and other blood thinning medications at least 7 days before the treatment. They should also stay away from herbal supplements such as garlic, Ginkgo Biloba, vitamin E, Omega-3 and St. John’s Wort. In this way, it is possible to prevent possible bruising after Botox injection.
Topical skin products such as Tretinoin (Retin-A), Retinols, Retinoids, Glycolic Acid, Alpha Hydroxy Acid and any “anti-aging” skin care products should be avoided at least 3 days before the Botox injection. Waxing, tweezing, depilatory or yellowing creams should not be used in the area to be treated.
In order to minimize possible bruising after Botox injection, alcohol should not be consumed at least 24 hours before and after the injection. This is because alcohol may cause additional bruising due to its blood-thinning properties.
No makeup should be applied to the face on the day of the Botox injection. Topical anesthetic or local numbing agent may be applied before the treatment. In this way, the patient’s comfort during the treatment can be maximized.
After the area is numb, the treatment is completed by injecting certain doses of Botox into predetermined points with fine-tipped needles.
How Long Does Botox Last?
The Botox procedure; It is a neuromodulator that relaxes the muscles and prevents them from working at full capacity, thus reducing the wrinkles they cause, and usually starts to show its effect 3 to 5 days after the treatment. It may take 10 to 14 days after the treatment for the results to fully appear.
This delay is due to the time it takes for the body to start to react to the Botox after the injection. The time it takes for the Botox injection to show its effect may vary depending on some factors. In people with strong facial muscles, the treatment may take a little longer to start to work.
Especially in people with deep lines or who had their first injection later in life, more than one injection may be required to see the desired results. Botox injections for the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles work faster.
Since the effects of Botox treatment depend on the body’s ability to respond, how long it will last may vary from person to person. The effects usually last longer after multiple sessions, when the skin has had more time to regenerate the collagen needed to fill in fine lines and wrinkles.
The effects of cosmetic Botox injections usually last 4 to 6 months. Repeat treatments make Botox injections last longer.
Factors Affecting the Permanence of Botox
The effect of Botox injections can last for different periods of time, just as the duration of the effects can vary from person to person. The duration of the treatment can vary depending on various factors.
In Botox injections, dilution is usually done with 1 to 3 cc of saline solution, but this can vary depending on the characteristics of the area to be treated. The more concentrated the solution, the more sensitive the result will be in the target area. If excessive dilution is made, the desired results will not be achieved.
Botox itself is in a frozen powder form to which saline solution is added before injection to create the appropriate solution strength. The solution should be used within 24 hours after dilution. This is when its effect is strongest.
The metabolic rate of the person being treated also determines how long the effect of the treatment will last. The higher the metabolic rate, the faster the body eliminates Botox and reduces its effects. The opposite is usually the case in people with slower metabolisms.
The size of the treated muscle also affects how long the treatment will last. Treatments applied to larger muscles, such as the frontalis muscle in the forehead, are shorter than treatments applied to smaller muscles. The smaller the dosage applied, the faster the muscles in the injection area return to their previous movements. However, controlled doses should be applied to people who receive Botox injections for the first time. After the first injection, patients are usually ready for stronger and more concentrated doses and longer-lasting effects.