● Crow’s feet
● Fine lines
● Wrinkles
● Forehead furrows
● Frown lines
● Lip linse
● Bunny lines
● Neck bands
● Skin dimpling
Botox is a drug that can help weaken or paralyze muscles. One of the most common ways Botox is used to help treat fine lines and wrinkles.
Aside from cosmetic treatments, there are many different uses for Botox including help to help treat temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) disorders that can cause soreness around the jaw. Other FDA-approved uses for Botox include treating chronic migraines, excessive underarm sweating, overactive bladder, crossed eyes, and severe neck spasms.
Botox has been researched for over 100 years and was first approved for therapeutic use over 30 years ago. Botulinum toxin is a purified protein from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. There are seven different strains–A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H. Botox is the brand name for the A strain and there are currently four types that are FDA-approved for cosmetic use: Botox, Xeomin, Dysport and now Jeuveau.
Botox contains an incredibly small amount of the highly purified botulinum toxin. These very small doses of the toxin are safe and effective for humans. The product is given to patients via injection at the affected area. Once injected, Botox decreases muscle activity in the area, which causes fine lines and wrinkles to appear smoother and more youthful.
Botox works by blocking signals from an individual’s nerve to the muscle in the problem area. This ensures that the muscles do not contract. Since these do not contract, there is less pulling on the skin, which helps to prevent and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
As mentioned, there are various forms of FDA-approved for cosmetic use: Botox, Xeomin, Dysport and now Jeuveau. While all can help you achieve the same result, differences in these products include onset, discomfort, and how long they will last in the body before breaking down.
Be sure to talk to your doctor about what you are looking to achieve with Botox. Being honest and open about your expectations will help your injector identify the best option for you.
