Botox is a substance derived from one of the most poisonous substances known to humans, the bacteria botulinum toxin type A. However, in small injectable doses, Botox can actually be beneficial. It was approved by the FDA in 1989 for the treatment of eye disorders, but in 2002 cosmetic uses were added. It quickly became one of the most popular procedures performed in the United States, with more than 2.5 million patients treated each year.
Less Invasive
Botox injections offer many of the same benefits as face lifts but are far less invasive. Botox is classified as a "minimally invasive" procedure, which means that although it's not completely noninvasive since there is a skin break due to the needles used, it still doesn't required surgery, scalpels or stitches.
Smooths Wrinkles
Botox works on wrinkles by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the injected muscles, relaxing them. In the initial clinical trials, close to 90 percent of the patients receiving the procedure rated the improvement in their brow lines as moderate to better, and in others it essentially erased the lines, says the University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Ophthalmology. Botox can also iron out crow's feet, forehead lines, and imperfections in the lips and neck.
No Downtime
One of the most popular strengths of Botox is that there is no downtime with the procedure. It takes only five minutes to a half hour, depending upon the number of areas treated. Patients come in, have the work done, get off the table and head back to work, says Baltimore-based dermatologist, Kevin Poitras. To minimize complications, patients are often asked to avoid using the facial muscles for a half hour and not to lie down for up to four hours.
Pain Free
Botox injections are very close to being pain-free. In most cases, the area to be treated isn't even numbed, although patients with a lower pain threshold can ask for a pre-injection numbing agent. With most patients, the worst side effect is a feeling equivalent to a bug bite.
Fast Results
In some cases, results can show up immediately, although on average they take two to five days and up to a maximum of one week, reports the Derma Network. Results should last anywhere from three to eight months, fading away gradually.
Minimal Risks
Botox procedures carry minimal risks. In rare cases, especially with unlicensed practitioners or those who haven't performed the procedure often, there may be bruising, numbness, swelling, muscle twitching, headache, and droopy eyebrows or eyelids. However, most of these effects are temporary and subside relatively quickly.
Cost
While not cheap, Botox is much more affordable compared with face lifts and other cosmetic procedures, ranking seventh out of the nine most-used such procedures in the United States, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. The Society also reported that the average cost of injections per site in 2005 was $382, although if more than one injection is required, costs will rise accordingly.
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