The use of Botox after 20 years is also an excellent prevention of the appearance of wrinkles. According to studies conducted in 2006 by the Department of Facial Surgery, the drug effectively prevents crow's feet, nasolabial folds and other facial wrinkles. The principle is simple - the more relaxed the muscles, the longer the skin remains smooth.
Many American women have been doing Botox injections since they were 20, wanting to slow down time and preserve youth for many years. In addition, young people require less frequent injections; it will be enough to use the drug once every 1-2 years.
How Botox works
Botox injection is an effective technique for eliminating facial wrinkles and forming a beautiful facial contour. Essentially, this is a correction without a scalpel.
Botox is a weakened, purified neurotoxic drug based on botulinum toxin. The latter is produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. A powerful neuroparalytic that can relax facial muscles.
Botulinum toxin A has been used in cosmetology for more than 30 years. It is injected into the area of the facial muscle, as a result it relaxes, and the skin relief of the area is noticeably smoothed. The hydrobalance of the deep layers of the dermis is restored, the natural production of collagen and elastin is stimulated.
Botox is used to correct facial contours, smooth out wrinkles on the forehead, in the eye area and nasolabial triangle.
Combination of Botox and fillers
Today there are several ways to combat wrinkles. The most common of these are Botox injections and hyaluronic acid fillers. These two drugs have different mechanisms of action, so it is impossible to say which is better and which is worse:
1. Botox, as already mentioned, can only cope with facial wrinkles. That is, with those that are formed as a result of muscle activity. This remedy is not able to eliminate deep age wrinkles, eliminate birth defects, etc. Botox works on the muscle, not the skin.
2. Hyaluronic acid fills gaps under the skin. The drug retains moisture, nourishing all layers of the dermis, while it does not have any effect on the functioning of the facial muscles.
The appropriateness of using a particular drug is determined by the doctor. Both Botox and hyaluronic acid can be used quite often. At the first stage, botulinum toxin injections are used, which reduce the tone of the muscles responsible for the appearance of wrinkles. After some time, fillers can be injected under the skin. With their help, large static wrinkles are eliminated.
Modern aesthetic medicine practiced at VIRTUSCLINIC will help everyone who wants to preserve their beauty and youth for many years!
Exposure time
The duration of the effect of Botox depends on the individual characteristics of the body, habits, and care procedures:
- Age. Typically, botulinum therapy is indicated for people over 45 years of age, but often younger people also need correction. The breakdown of drug substances in a young body occurs faster, so the duration of the effect is reduced.
- Behavior. Poor nutrition, lack of sleep, stress and negative habits affect not only your well-being, but also your appearance - they worsen the effect of injections.
- Quality of the drug. The drug must be original and stored correctly.
Pro et Contra. Prevention of aging or fashion trend?
Several years ago, an article was published in a well-known fashion magazine in which young patients “in their early 20s” were encouraged to start taking botulinum toxin injections at such a young age.
The article at that time literally blew up the Internet and the medical community and, to some extent, contributed to the growing popularity of “beauty injections” among young patients. Now the topic raised in the article still remains relevant. And if fashion magazines unanimously shout that botulinum toxin can be used at any age and by everyone without exception, in the scientific community the attitude towards botulinum therapy is more restrained. We will discuss this topic again, and we will touch upon not only the medical validity of early correction, but also the moral and philosophical side of the issue.
Signs of Botox working
It is easy to feel the effect of botulinum toxin after the procedure: the facial muscles at the injection site stop working almost immediately, although a trace of the wrinkle will still be visible. For example, it will not be possible to frown your forehead, and, therefore, folds on the skin will not be able to form.
On days 5-7, the distribution of the drug ends, the effect becomes maximum: the skin is noticeably fresher, acquires a healthy shine and tint, and cosmetics fit perfectly on it. Even deep wrinkles are gradually smoothed out.
When administered correctly, Botox injections do not turn the face into a “mask.” There will still be facial expressions and emotions. To get truly excellent results, contact beauty centers - cosmetologists with extensive experience work there.
How is Botox removed from the body?
The drug is contained in the body for about a day, then it completely disintegrates into individual elements, and its activity ceases. Botox is excreted from the body through the kidneys as metabolites.
There is a misconception that the drug has a cumulative effect after each injection. The mechanism of the active activity of Botox and its subsequent disintegration is obvious; the drug does not leave the slightest fraction of its content and, moreover, does not have a cumulative effect. It is excreted in full, without causing any negative effects on human health.
Repeated procedures
After Botox is removed, you can repeat the course to get the results back. Wait until your facial muscles have fully recovered to get the best results.
If Botox was administered for the first time, a corrective session is usually carried out after 8 months. All subsequent injections are performed at intervals of 4-6 months. With this technique you can maintain consistently good results.
If procedures are performed too often, the sensitivity of the dermis and nerve structures increases significantly. Botox dissolves faster each time, correction is required more often.
Indications and contraindications
Botox around the eyes is done only for medical reasons. Therefore, before the procedure, you need to visit a specialist who will conduct an initial examination and select an effective drug. Indications for botulinum toxin injections are:
- medium expression and deep age wrinkles;
- crow's feet;
- drooping upper eyelid;
- displacement of the eyebrow line;
- asymmetry of eyebrow arches;
- gravitational ptosis of the eyelids;
- severe swelling, bags under the eyes;
- strabismus, asymmetry of the eye sockets.
The rejuvenation technique has contraindications, which can be excluded or confirmed by a comprehensive diagnostic examination. The procedure is contraindicated in patients diagnosed with the following pathologies:
- malignant or benign tumors;
- diseases of the hematopoietic system;
- cardiac, renal, liver failure;
- cardiovascular disorders;
- hormonal, endocrine disruptions;
- congenital or acquired immunodeficiency;
- serious vision problems;
- exacerbation of chronic pathologies;
- acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections;
- wounds, erosions, inflammation, purulent processes at the injection sites.
Also, injections are not prescribed to women during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or menstrual bleeding. The procedure is contraindicated for patients with individual intolerance to the components included in the anti-aging product.
Is it possible to extend the result?
Follow all the cosmetologist's recommendations to get the maximum, safe and prolonged effect of the procedure.
We will consider the main recommendations below:
- Physical activity in the first 7-10 days after the session significantly reduces the effect of botulinum therapy.
- There are no additional jokes between the main courses! They will provoke the production of antibodies, which destroy the toxin and reduce its effect to a minimum.
- Avoid solariums, baths and saunas.
- Assess the compatibility of current pharmacotherapy with contraindications to botulinum therapy.
What to do if you don’t like the result
The effect of botulinum therapy becomes noticeable the next day after the procedure. The skin gradually becomes smoother, facial wrinkles disappear. But not all people are satisfied with the result. This is not about the work of doctors, but about one’s own perception of one’s reflection in the mirror.
For example, Jane Fonda admitted that her face changed so much after Botox injections that it became alien. The actress decided that it would be better to see her aging face. This opinion also has a right to exist, but most people who have used Botox for facial wrinkles are satisfied with the results of the procedure.
And yet, what to do if the result of the procedure was not what you imagined it to be? Answer: nothing. You need to wait a few months, after about 3-5 months the Botox will be completely removed from the body, and the face will return to its original appearance.
Lifestyle after the procedure
The strictest recommendations for the first 3 days after the session:
- Avoid alcoholic drinks: ethyl alcohol increases blood flow to the face.
- Do not take hot baths or go to the sauna.
- Avoid visiting the beach and solarium.
- Protect your face from direct sunlight.
- Avoid even minimal physical activity.
- Do not take muscle relaxants, tetracycline antibiotics, or B vitamins.
- Do not massage the injection area.
Beauty injections for skin treatment
According to the law of the Russian Federation, injection procedures can be done from 18 years of age. Upon reaching adulthood, you can do mesotherapy and plasma therapy for therapeutic purposes (at this age we are not talking about fighting the signs of aging).
Plasma therapy (PRP therapy) - the essence of the method is to introduce a person’s own blood plasma into the problem area. The plasma is pre-enriched with platelets using the ReGenLab apparatus. The injections trigger a powerful impulse for the regeneration of the epidermis. In young patients, this technique is used to treat acne. In older adults, for comprehensive rejuvenation: reducing the depth of wrinkles, improving the oval of the face, eliminating sagging skin.
Dermatovenerologist and cosmetologist Daria Bolgova performs plasma therapy.
On the contrary, mesotherapy is recommended after the inflammatory elements have passed. To get rid of stagnant acne spots, improve the condition and even out the skin after treatment. Injections involve the introduction of hyaluronic acid of low density and concentration. As a result: the relief improves, the elasticity of the skin increases, inflammation disappears, and the pores narrow. Mesotherapy is an excellent prevention of age-related changes.
“Beauty injections” not only rejuvenate, but also heal the skin.
Undesirable effects
It is impossible to predict in advance how the substance will be distributed, how muscle fibers will react to the effects of botulinum toxin.
Typical side effects are redness of the facial skin, the appearance of papules, pain, and swelling.
Rare complications and their causes:
- Strong relaxation of the frontal muscles gives the effect of lowered eyebrows.
- Excessive botulinum toxin injections can lead to eyelid spasm.
- Excessive physical activity and ignoring recommendations are a common cause of asymmetry, bruising, and articulation disorders.
- Individual reaction: headaches, lumps and papules at injection points, increased intraocular pressure.
What objective reasons can be considered indications for correction?
At a young age, patients most often resort to correction in order to delay the appearance of wrinkles (to minimize their appearance in older age) or to remove existing wrinkles.
With constant intense muscle contractions of the facial muscles, dynamic wrinkles can form even at a young age. Subsequently, atrophy of the skin and subcutaneous structures occurs, and static wrinkles are formed, which will become more and more pronounced with age.
In such a situation, the administration of small doses of neuroprotein blocks the release of acetylcholine into the neuromuscular junction and causes temporary chemical denervation of the overactive muscle, smoothes the skin and prevents its atrophy.
The first wrinkles most often appear in the upper third of the face (between the eyebrows, crow's feet, forehead). For some, they may appear after the age of 30, while others begin to notice them at 18.
There may be several reasons for the appearance of the first wrinkles at a young age:
- increased emotionality combined with active facial expressions (hyperkinetic type);
- fine-wrinkled type of aging;
- headache;
- voltage.
These reasons should be indications for early correction and the method of choice for young patients. After all, you can stop the hyperkinetic activity of muscles, which leads to the formation of dynamic wrinkles, only with botulinum therapy, and a pleasant addition will be the formation of the habit of correctly expressing emotions, because living without wrinkles is more fun than with them. Moreover, there is research that botulinum toxin can help patients cope with depression. According to scientists, paralysis of the muscles that are usually responsible for a dissatisfied, frowning appearance leads to a decrease in negative emotions. Consequently, a negative mood is more difficult to maintain, and thus the person experiences more positive emotions.
In what cases are Botox injections done around the eyes?
A rejuvenating procedure using botulinum toxin will help get rid of not only facial and age wrinkles, but also correct aesthetic defects, eliminate asymmetry, make your eyes open, and your face rejuvenated and rested.
For wrinkles
Botox injections under the skin have the same mechanism of action, regardless of what aesthetic problem needs to be solved. The only differences are in the area into which the drug will be injected. To get rid of wrinkles around the eyes, the doctor determines the treatment area and places marks on the skin as a guide, which ensure an accurate hit on the muscle.
To lift eyelids
To lift the upper eyelids, the cosmetologist makes injections into points located near the tips of the eyebrows. Then the drug is injected into points located a few millimeters from the outer corners of the eyes. Botox injections in these areas will help open your eyes and get rid of swelling and crow's feet.
For the upper part of the face
Injections into this area will help get rid of deep wrinkles on the forehead, as well as raise the eyebrow line. The cosmetologist, taking into account where the skin needs to be smoothed, makes injections near the tips of the eyebrows, just above the bridge of the nose or in the forehead area. To achieve maximum effect and prevent complications, the doctor must correctly calculate the depth of insertion. Therefore, it is important to entrust the procedure to a qualified specialist with many years of experience.
