Botox: Injectable Cosmetic Treatment for Facial Wrinkles

Botox has been remaining the most frequently performed cosmetic procedure for a very long time. It has been used to treat crow’s feet, reduce the appearance of horizontal forehead lines, and address both dynamic and static wrinkles. Its effectiveness earned botulinum toxin injectables popularity, and “Botox” even became a household name for rejuvenating facial treatments.

Today, it’s possible to purchase Botox online at an attractive and competitive price. But what makes Botox worth spending money on? How long will the results stay prominent? How is it injected? There are many questions that candidates for Botox may ask. Luckily, the answers are already found.

What Is Botox?

Botox is a medical and cosmetic injectable produced by the Irish company Allergan. It was approved by the FDA in 1989 as a medical injection, and in 2002 as a cosmetic treatment.

Botox solution contains a tiny amount of botulinum toxin type A (BtA for short). BtA is a protein byproduct of Clostridium botulinum – Gram-positive cocci prevalent in North America, Northern Europe, and Australia. This bacterium produces botulinum neurotoxin type A that causes dangerous diseases in people, such as botulism.

However, the concentration of BtA in Botox is not high enough to cause trouble in the majority of people as long as the injectable is made by a trained medical professional.

What botulinum toxin is responsible for in Botox’s formula is the relaxation of facial muscles. The less they move, the fewer dynamic wrinkles appear on a person’s face.

Botox has been successfully used to reduce the appearance of:

• Fine lines (such as so-called “bunny lines” and others);
• Facial wrinkles (including stubborn forehead wrinkles);
• Crow’s feet, and other signs of aging.

Botulinum toxin injections are especially effective at reducing facial wrinkles and achieving an overall facial rejuvenation as long as the treatment is repeated at the right frequency.

Are There Any Contraindications?

Some people have contraindications to injecting botulinum toxin products. In this case, it will be a better idea to opt for other rejuvenating treatments: hyaluronic acid-based fillers, autologous fat injections, face lifting, and others.

The most common Botox contraindications include:

• Hypersensitivity to any of the components of the injectable;
• Myasthenia gravis;
• Some neurological disorders;
• Botulism, and others.

Some patients suffering from rosacea opt for a Botox injection to reduce the overall redness and the appearance of blood vessels on the surface of the skin. While it may be a good cosmetic option, Botox won’t treat rosacea, and dermatologists recommend not to use the injectable during the acute phase.

To avoid both common and rare complications, consult with your healthcare provider before opting for cosmetic botulinum toxin therapy to wipe fine lines and wrinkles out.

Can Botox Injections Be Self-Administered?

Under no circumstances should a patient self-inject with Botox or other botulinum toxin-based treatments. Those who want to incorporate aesthetic treatments into their beauty routine need to spend as much time as needed looking for a professional board-certified dermatologist trained in administering Botox and other facial injectables.

In order to inject Botox, a dermatologist needs to have comprehensive knowledge about underlying facial musculature, especially about specific overactive muscles that need to be relaxed with BtA.

For example, in order to smooth forehead lines effectively and ensure the longevity of the treatment, the injection must be made directly into the frontalis muscle.

Other appropriate qualifications for Botox delivery are:

• Nurse practitioner;
• Registered nurse;
• Physician’s assistant;
• Physician;
• Dentist.

Preparing for Botulinum Toxin Treatment

Preparing for Botox treatment is quite simple but still requires following a doctor’s instructions strictly:

• Mention medications and supplements you’re currently taking. Some of them may be incompatible with Botox, such as blood thinners, antihistamines, Vitamin E, and others;
• Your doctor may recommend avoiding skincare treatments for some time after the injection. When preparing for an appointment, make sure that your skin is clean and ready for several days of caveman regimen;
• Smoking and drinking alcohol must be avoided several days prior to the procedure.

You should also read our article Where to Inject Botox for Lip Flip? Find answers to all previous questions.

Will There Be Any Side Effects?

There most common side effects of Botox are injection site reactions. The majority of Botox users will most likely experience:

• Redness;
• Moderate itch;
• Bruising;
• Swelling;
• Pain.

These reactions are considered normal and will go away within several days. You may want to stay in touch with your healthcare provider until these side effects are no longer a concern for you.

Other adverse events are:

• Headache;
• Feeling cold;
• Asymmetrical facial expressions;
• Tearing or dryness of the eyes;
• Botulism (very rare), and others.

Proper injection technique is extremely important for minimizing discomfort from possible side effects. Trust only professional board-certified dermatologists to give you Botox.

How Long Do Botulinum Toxin Effects Last?

On average, Botox injections maintain their results for 3-4 months. In some people, however, it may last longer, in other the effect will fade out within 1-2 months.

Several factors cause Botox to wear off faster:

• The amount and depth of wrinkles;
• Fast metabolism;
• Repeated facial expression;
• Unskilled injector.

Taking beneficial supplements and sticking to an appropriate skincare routine will help your Botox injectable last longer.

Is It Legal to Purchase Botox Online?

You can purchase Botox online without breaking the law if you are a trained medical practitioner, dentist, nurse, or practitioner’s assistant. However, legislation varies from state to state, so be sure to double-check whether you are allowed to order Botox or not.

If you are not a medical provider, as long as you have a valid prescription from your doctor you can as well buy Botox online. However, if an online store doesn’t ask for your prescription, these people are most likely to be frauds.

As for if it’s legal for US citizens to purchase Botox from Canada – the answer is a bit tricky. According to legislation, it’s prohibited to order medical and cosmetic treatments from abroad. However, Canadian pharmacies are allowed to ship medications to US citizens for personal use.

This loophole allows people to purchase medicines and aesthetic treatments (such as Botox and injectable fillers) from Canada completely legally at a lower price. However, it’s important to order only from a trustworthy distributor, and a valid prescription is still required.

In Conclusion

Botox is an extremely popular rejuvenating treatment used by many people all around the world. The injectable is administered by a medical provider directly into targeted muscles. Once there, botulinum neurotoxin temporarily paralyzes them, thus reducing the appearance of mimic wrinkles and fine lines.

Botox is considered safe to use. Still, untrained people can’t inject themselves with Botox, as its proper administration requires training and knowledge of muscle anatomy.

Botox can be legally purchased online from both the USA and Canada. However, it’s important to opt for licensed distributors and remember to purchase original products only. If an online pharmacy doesn’t ask you for a valid prescription from a doctor or can’t tell a lot number of the Botox package, this distributor isn’t worth your trust.