Unfortunately, no matter how a woman takes care of her body throughout her life, sooner or later there comes a moment when the usual means, whether it be creams, masks, body wraps, etc., cease to act and hide age-related skin changes. Fortunately, cosmetology today has stepped far ahead and is ready to offer its clients "youth injections": Botox (botulinum toxin) injections. How safe are these manipulations? Have there been unwanted effects in the practice of using Botox?
Is botulinum toxin poisonous?
The substance itself is very poisonous, one has only to remember the numerous "horror stories" about botulism poisoning. It is obtained by processing a very toxic bacterium in the laboratory. However, the real breakthrough in medicine was the "taming" of such a dangerous toxin and its use in a peaceful way.
So, the first mention of the use of botulinum toxin for medical purposes appeared back in 1960. It was used to combat various diseases of the nervous system: paralysis, headaches, cerebral palsy, strabismus, etc. The local principle of action of botulinum toxin is as follows: thanks to it, it is possible to createdisruption of nerve impulse transmission, thereby relaxing specific muscles. However, this effect does not last forever: after 3-5 months, a repetition of the manipulation is required.
How did botulinum toxin end up in cosmetology?
Botox was used for cosmetic purposes after doctors discovered an interesting "side" effect of injections: the substance perfectly smoothes wrinkles and stops excessive mobility of the facial muscles, leading to unwanted wrinkles.
Recommended doses for combating mimic age-related skin changes are extremely small, and therefore absolutely safe. However, the cosmetologist performing the manipulation must be a professional in his field, knowing the anatomy from "A" to "Z": too close location of the facial muscles is fraught with relief and relaxation of the wrong zone.
Botox: salvation from everything?
It is worth noting that botulinum toxin injections are, first of all, an excellent prophylactic against age-related changes. However, the miracle remedy will not work on long-formed static wrinkles. Therefore, do not place excessive hopes and expect that eternal youth is guaranteed even at 60.
The result of botulinum toxin therapy, as a rule, appears only on the second day after the procedure and has a cumulative effect: thus, a complete picture of the transformation can be obtained after a couple of weeks. The action of the toxin is preserved, as mentioned earlier, for a period of 3 to 5 months. After this time, depending on the result,some patients return to the cosmetologist for a second procedure, while others continue to try to bypass such establishments: not everyone is lucky with a qualified master who does their job well.
Cost
The price of beauty injections directly depends on the amount of the injected drug, measured in units. So, to eliminate wrinkles from the forehead, an average of 14 units of Botox is needed. For comparison, to get rid of crow's feet around the eyes, you need a little less drug - about 8 units. The calculation is carried out individually, based on the characteristics of the skin and age-related changes in a particular patient.
The average price per unit of botulinum toxin fluctuates around 300 rubles. Therefore, in order to "stab" the forehead area, you will need about 4000-4500 rubles.
Contraindications for the procedure
The list of contraindications for Botox injections includes:
- Resistance to botulinum toxin.
- The period of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Presence of cancer.
- Exacerbated chronic diseases.
- Breaking the skin at the intended injection site.
Do I need preparation before the procedure?
To avoid undesirable consequences after Botox, first of all, at least a day before, you should give up any alcoholic beverages. In addition, parallel antibiotic therapy is not allowed, since the effect of injections in this case will be minimized or not manifest at all. It is also advisable to come to the session withoutcosmetics, so as not to spend extra time removing them.
What should I avoid after the procedure?
To ensure a longer duration of the achieved result, as well as to avoid the undesirable effects of Botox, you should follow a few rules:
- For the first two weeks after the procedure, you must refrain from taking hot baths and saunas.
- Sports are not recommended.
- It is forbidden to use scrubbing agents, as well as peelings, ultrasonic cleanings, etc.
- Alcohol taboo for two weeks.
How frequency of treatments affects
What about the effects of Botox? Experts say that botulinum toxin is recommended to be injected every six months. However, in case of excessively active facial expressions or a genetic predisposition to early aging, it is possible to repeat the injections more often than the previously indicated period of time. To date, there is no evidence of any negative consequences of the frequent use of Botox, nor is there any mention that botulinum toxin can provoke the development of somatic diseases over time.
No matter how strange it may seem, judging by the reviews about the effects of Botox on the face, perhaps one of the problems that arise when you often turn to a beautician for beauty injections is the psychological dependence of patients on botulinum toxin. Indeed, what woman wants to see herself in the mirror with numerous wrinkles after the effect of the administered dosewill gradually disappear? That is why in this regard, cosmetology, in particular the use of Botox, is a "gold mine": it is likely that after trying once, the patient will return again.
Very many are deterred from the procedure by the very term "toxin" and the fact that the poison will be injected into the face. However, ahead of all fears and doubts, we can confidently state that the negative consequences of Botox in this vein are excluded, since the concentration of botulinum toxin in the preparation is minimal, it is impossible to poison them.
What are the consequences of treating hyperhidrosis with botulinum toxin?
Botox does a great job with the problem of excessive sweating in the armpits, groin, as well as in the palms and soles. In this case, injections are carried out superficially, a large amount of the drug is consumed. Injections disrupt the supply of a nerve impulse to the sweat glands, due to which sweat ceases to be produced in the treated area for a period of 4-6 months (the duration depends on the patient's activity and individual characteristics of the body).
Is this procedure effective? Reviews of the effects of Botox for the purpose of treating sweating are full of information that often, getting rid of the hyperhidrosis of the "chipped" zone, patients get a similar problem in another area. So, a good cosmetologist is obliged to warn before the session that, getting rid of sweating in the armpits, you may encounter excessive sweating of the back or palms. However, this phenomenontypical only in situations of peak loads or at high temperatures outside. It should also be warned against thoughtless administration of the drug in all possible places at the same time: for normal life and proper circulation, sweat must be released.
Consequences after Botox: reviews
Available reviews on the Internet about the negative consequences of the procedure confirm the fact that all undesirable outcomes entirely depend on the level of professionalism of the cosmetologist. One frequently encountered problem is the “frozen face” achieved due to errors and inaccuracies. The only thing that can be advised to a patient who is faced with this consequence is to wait until the effect of the drug wears off.
Common mistakes by cosmetologists when chipping around the brow area: on the streets there are often girls with overly raised eyebrows. With an excessive amount of Botox, it is possible to get swelling of the upper eyelid: it looks swollen and tear-shaped. Unfortunately, it also takes time to correct this phenomenon.
The most common are various distortions of facial features, curvature of the lips (one of the sides warps up or down). This is especially noticeable when speaking. Unlike the above consequences, these inaccuracies can be corrected without waiting for the Botox to be canceled. You just need to find a competent specialist and consult with him.
Botox: consequences, before and after photos
Whatever one may say, after any cosmetic procedure, unwanted complications can occur. The effects of Botoxthe photos of which are presented below will make many think about the advisability of such a procedure:
bloating and overhanging the upper eyelid;
the patient, firstly, is dependent on beauty injections, and secondly, the low level of services provided by a cosmetologist: her lips look unnatural;
The occurrence of bruising and swelling after correcting the shape of the lips is a fairly common phenomenon that disappears on its own 3-5 days after the procedure
How to find a competent doctor?
Finding your specialist may take a long time. Before you go to an appointment, you need to study all the available information about a particular cosmetologist, see photos before and after, read reviews about the consequences of Botox that arose in his clients.
However, it's better not to take risks and go to a doctor who, for example, a colleague, relative or friend goes to. If you like the result of the procedure, then the specialist is likely to like it. In addition, in this case, you can ask your friend all the questions you are interested in and get a first-hand answer.
It would be great to make an appointment only with a beautician who has at least five years of experience with Botox. This information can be checked at the reception, ask for a diploma of study. It is very important to perform Botox correctly. Reviews, consequences, before and after photos - all thisneeds to be studied beforehand. And also find out the name of the beautician you are interested in and the city.
Final advice - avoid over-hyped beauty salons. As a rule, good cosmetologists do not have problems with the client base and they do not need flashy advertising: they have appointments scheduled months in advance.
