How It Works
Clostridium botulinum bacterium produces Botox, which is a purified protein, according to the Cambridge Health Alliance. It is used in non-surgical procedures by physicians to temporarily minimize moderate to severe frown lines on the face. Botox is administered via several small injections in the muscles with no recovery time. Frown lines appear over time from repetitive muscle activity in the face, and Botox helps minimize these frown lines by being directly injected into the muscles behind the frown lines. Botox blocks the transmission of nerve impulses to the injected muscles, which reduces the muscle activity for that area of the face where lines form, according to the Cambridge Health Alliance. Botox works by causing the muscles to decrease activity, reducing the frown lines. Results are usually seen within a few days, lasting up to four months before the Botox eventually wears off, allowing the muscle to resume normal function.
The Chemical Process
Electrochemical messages are sent to the muscles in the body from the brain, telling them to move. These electrochemical messages are sent from the nerves to the muscles by a substance in the body called acetylcholine, according to the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Acetylcholine is blocked by Botox and those muscles injected can no longer move to cause frown lines, causing the underlying skin to relax and giving the appearance of smooth skin.
How It Is Administered
Botox treatments are easily performed in a physician's office and take approximately 10 minutes. Pain and discomfort is minimal, but the physician may first numb the injection area with a cold pack or some topical anesthetic cream. The physician uses syringe to inject small amounts of a Botox solution into the muscles beneath the wrinkled skin areas, such as between the eyebrows, the horizontal forehead lines and the crow's feet and laugh lines alongside the eyes, according to the Drexel College of Medicine. When the Botox is being injected it may sting for a few seconds. Slight swelling of the areas injected may develop, but it will diminish within a few hours.
After the treatment
Botox treatments do not require recovery time and people can resume normal activities and wear makeup right after the treatment. Some people notice small bruises at the injection sites. Makeup can be used to cover the bruising until they fade. After receiving a Botox treatment, some people experience headaches, temporary eyelid droop, nausea. In rare instances, patients can develop a respiratory infection or flu syndrome within the first week of injections, according to the Cambridge Health Alliance. People who have neurological disorders are at increased risk of side effects and Botox should not be used if there is an infection near the injection sites or if the recipient is allergic to any ingredients in the Botox formulation. According to the Drexel University College of Medicine, some people may experience temporary muscle weakness near injection sites, but this usually returns to normal within a few weeks.
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