What is Botox Cosmetic, and How Does It Work?

Botox injections are minimally-invasive cosmetic and medical aesthetic treatments that are widely known for their ability to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face.

It can help smooth out forehead wrinkles, frown lines (aka, “angry face”), bunny lines, and crow’s feet, as well as provide a gentle eyebrow lift, among many other cosmetic benefits.

It also has many medical uses for treating muscle and nerve disorders, such as head and neck pain, muscle stiffness, and severe underarm sweating.

It is a quick treatment that’s easy to fit into your schedule. You can expect to see noticeable changes after 3-5 days, though some may see results in as quickly as 2 days. You can expect the results to last for 3-4 months.

Botox: An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

Cosmetic Botox is a preventative treatment, so the earlier you start, the more satisfied you are likely to be with the results.

Some people think that Botox removes wrinkles. Actually, it can smoothen and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, but harsh lines that are already present and etched into the face will not be ironed out or removed completely. This is why receiving Botox treatments when wrinkles first start to appear will yield a much better long-term result. Early, regularly treatment can help to prevent deepening or worsening wrinkles, which helps you to retain a more youthful look.

In fact, recent surveys conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that 64% of members report a dramatic increase in new patients under 30.

So, if you are concerned about your appearance now, be sure to read on for more details about whether Botox Cosmetics and/or medical aesthetic treatments are right for you.

Why Choose Northern Medical Center?

At Northern Medical Center, we administer only premium name brand Botox Cosmetic treatments under the care of a team of skilled physicians, nurses trained in aesthetics, and trained healthcare professionals.

Botox Cosmetic is backed by more than 16 years of published studies. It’s proprietary manufacturing process renders a higher potency product backed by the FDA that you can trust.

At Northern Medical Center, located in Middletown, New York, we believe in a comprehensive approach to health. We offer minimally invasive aesthetic treatments that can help boost your confidence and well-being.

Having confidence in your appearance can have a positive effect on your mood. And scientific research shows that positive emotions have a powerful effect on your overall health, including lowering stress hormones and even helping your immune system.

What is Botox Treatment?

Botox is a safe procedure involving medicinal doses of purified botulinum toxin that’s injected into muscles to block the release of acetylcholine from motor neurons, which weakens the injected muscle to make it relax.

The safety of the medicine to smoothen wrinkles on the facial area was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2002.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, over 4.4 million Botox procedures were done in 2020, and its popularity continues to grow.

There are potential side effects, so it is very important to seek treatments from a trained medical professional who can ensure that Botox is injected expertly and precisely into the targeted muscle.

What Can Botox Treatment Help With?

The most common use of Botox is to temporarily lessen the appearance of facial wrinkles in adults, but there are many additional medical uses.

Cervical Dystonia: it is used in adults to treat cervical dystonia (abnormal head position and neck pain).

Muscle Stiffness: it is also used to treat muscle stiffness (spasticity) of the arms, hands, legs, and feet in adults and children who are at least two years old.

Eye Conditions: it is used to treat certain eye muscle conditions caused by nerve disorders in adults and children who are at least 12 years old. This includes uncontrolled blinking or spasm of the eyelids, and a condition in which the eyes do not point in the same direction (strabismus).

Migraine Headaches: it is used in adults to prevent chronic migraine headaches that occur more than 15 days per month and last 4 hours or longer. Botox should not be used to treat a common tension headache.

Underarm Sweating: it is also used to treat severe underarm sweating (hyperhidrosis) in adults.

What to expect during a Botox treatment?

Botox injections are usually performed in a doctor’s office. Your doctor uses a thin needle to inject tiny amounts of botulinum toxin into your skin or muscles. The number of injections needed depends on many factors, including the extent of the area being treated.

Most people feel very little discomfort during the procedure, while others may be more sensitive. Generally, an injection feels like a pinch. To minimize discomfort, you may want your skin numbed beforehand.

Your doctor might use one or more of various methods to numb the area, such as topical anesthesia, or ice and vibration anesthesia, which uses massage to reduce discomfort.

Botox injections usually begin working one to three days after treatment. Depending on the problem being treated, the effect may last three months or longer. To maintain the effect after that, you’ll need regular follow-up injections.

Botox Before and after

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FAQ

> How often should I get Botox?

The effects of a Botox injection are temporary, and the treatment sites may return to its former state completely within three to five months. It is possible that after repeat injections, the treatment will wear off sooner, especially if your body develops antibodies to the botulinum toxin.

> What happens if I miss a dose?

Since botulinum toxin has a temporary effect and is given at widely spaced intervals, missing a dose has minimal negative effects.

> How long does it take to recover from Botox treatment?

Botox treatments involve very little to no downtime.

However, it is not advised to engage in intense exercise for at least 6 hours after a treatment. You are also not advised to lie down or take Ibuprofen, or any other blood-thinning medications, which could increase bruising at the injection site.

> Who should not use Botox?

You should not use it if you have an infection in the area where the medicine will be injected.

It is not known whether Botox is harmful to an unborn baby. Please tell our doctors if you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant during your consultation.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Please ask our doctors if you have any concerns.

> What are the possible side effects?

Botox is considered relatively safe when performed by an experienced doctor. The most common side effects and complications include:

  • Pain, swelling, or bruising at the injection site
  • Headache or flu-like symptoms
  • Droopy eyelid or cockeyed eyebrows
  • Crooked smile or drooling
  • Eye dryness or excessive tearing

The botulinum toxin contained in Botox can spread to other areas of the body beyond the site of injection. This can cause serious life-threatening side effects, but this is extremely rare.

Call your doctor at once if you have vision problems, severe eye irritation, severe muscle weakness, hives, or itching, loss of bladder control, or trouble breathing, talking, or swallowing.

> What other drugs will affect Botox?

Tell your doctor about all of your medications, especially:

  • Muscle relaxants
  • Cold or allergy medicine
  • Sleeping aids
  • An injectable antibiotic
  • Blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven, Eliquis, Pradaxa, Xaralto )

Also tell your doctor if you’ve had any type of Botox injection within the past four months.

> What does it cost to get Botox treatment?

It costs around $10 to $15 per unit, and each treatment site requires different number of units. During your consultation, our healthcare providers will present to you a personalized treatment that can be customized to fit your preferences and budget.

>>> Call Us to Explore Your Botox Treatment Today

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Northern Medical Center - Middletown NY

  • (845) 800-5118
  • 14 Jason Place, Suite 201 Middletown, N.Y. 10940
  • Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat: 9am -6pm EST
  • Tue, Sun: Closed

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