Aging is a privilege that comes with frown lines, crow’s feet and other wrinkles. Botox helps combat those telltale signs of aging, allowing you to turn back the hands of time without surgery.
“Today, Botox injections are the most common cosmetic procedure in the United States — and for good reason,” says Dr. Heidi Harrington, a board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon with Beaufort Memorial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics. “It’s a quick way to rejuvenate your appearance without the downtime for recovery that is necessary for more invasive approaches.”
Could this be your ticket to smoother skin? Read on for the full scoop.
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What Botox Is and How It Works
Botox is known as botulinum toxin type A. As the name indicates, it’s derived from the neurotoxin that causes botulism, a rare but serious medical condition affecting the nerves that control vision, swallowing and speech.
Fortunately, when administered properly, Botox injections do not cause illness. That’s because your healthcare provider only gives you a small dose of the toxin during treatment. Once injected, Botox blocks the nerves that cause wrinkles to appear when you make certain expressions. This keeps the affected muscle from contracting and helps your face remain smoother.
A single cosmetic Botox injection session can help improve your skin in many ways, including:
- Improving a gummy smile
- Lifting the corners of your mouth
- Reducing bands in your neckline
- Smoothing frown lines, crow’s feet and other wrinkles
- Softening a square-shaped jawline
Within a week, you should notice the full results of your treatment. While not a permanent fix, the effects of Botox provide between three months to a year of relief, according to the National Institutes of Health. As it wears off, the treated area returns to its original state.
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Botox’s Reach Goes Beyond Beauty
“While known for enhancing skin, Botox can help with non-cosmetic medical conditions,” Dr. Harrington says. “For many, getting treated with Botox is life-changing, as it brings relief that other approaches can’t match.”
Botox is considered so safe and helpful that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it for treating a growing number of health conditions.
Cervical Dystonia
Your neck muscles contract even when you’re not moving your head. This may cause you to hold your head or chin in an unnatural position. You may also experience severe pain, tremors and other unwanted symptoms.
Chronic Migraines
If you experience migraines for at least four hours a day on 15 days or more a month, you have chronic migraines. Along with pain, you may feel nauseous or dizzy.
Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)
Instead of sweating to prevent overheating, you sweat at any time, regardless of your body temperature. It can affect any part of the body, including the hands, feet and armpits.
Overactive Bladder
A form of urinary incontinence, an overactive bladder causes you to feel a need to urinate, even if there’s little urine in your bladder. As a result, you go to the bathroom an excessive number of times during the day and night. You may also accidentally leak urine.
Spasticity
Your muscles remain tight and stiff. Depending on what muscles are affected, you may experience problems with talking, walking or other movements. It may accompany other issues, such as cerebral palsy or brain injury.
Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs)
You experience pain and stiffness in the jaw that makes chewing difficult. There are more than 30 types of TMDs.
Other Conditions or Symptoms
Additionally, some use Botox to treat other neurological and pain-related conditions. Though not FDA approved, your care provider may recommend Botox to bring relief for conditions, such as:
- Bladder pain
- Myofascial pain
- Nerve damage-related pain
- Post-stroke pain
- Spinal cord injury
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Can I Afford Botox Treatment?
Most insurances cover Botox when used as a medical treatment but do not cover the service for cosmetic indications. However, because the procedure can be performed quickly in the office, it is substantially cheaper than many other facial rejuvenating procedures.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that the average cost for a cosmetic injection of Botox is $435, though that varies based on your goals and the severity of your wrinkles.
Whatever the cost, seek out an experienced plastic surgeon with a history of positive results.
“Our expert team is here to help you look younger, while maintaining your full range of facial expressions,” Dr. Harrington says. “It’s an honor to help our community regain lost confidence, and we do it every day.”
Botox Fast Facts
In summary, Botox has a wide range of uses that can improve your confidence and well-being.
Americans turn to Botox more than any other cosmetic procedure.
Botox can also help treat conditions, ranging from an overactive bladder to migraines.
It is a low-cost option to rejuvenate aging faces. When used for medical treatment, it is often covered by insurance.
Wondering if you could benefit from the power of Botox? Call 843-707-8020 or request a plastic surgery consultation online.
