Ageing is a natural process, but there’s no harm in wanting to look a little younger. More and more people today are opting for invasive treatments to look their best. From hair transplants to laser hair removal, cosmetic Botox and more, botox is a beauty term that has been around since the 1970s when scientists used botulinum toxin to cross eyes. While testing this treatment on monkeys, researchers noticed that botulinum toxin reduced wrinkles between the eyebrows and above the nose, and hence Botox treatments were born.
First introduced on the market in 1989, the minimally-invasive cosmetic treatment injectable is known for its ability to freeze faces and delay the ageing process. Over time, Botox has changed the face of humanity. The rise of Botox went hand-in-hand with the popularity of the TV show Real Housewives and around a decade ago it was a hobby of the super-wealthy. However, today it is not.
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Why do people opt for botox?
Botox cosmetic treatments are known as the elixir of youth for many, and are often used for those seeking a younger-looking face. But they also have a medical side. In the early 2000s, Botox was first approved by the FDA for cosmetic use in 2002 for the treatment of fine lines between the brows and was marketed as Botox Cosmetic. Other than the cosmetic properties, it can also be used to treat migraines, muscle spasms, lazy eyes, chronic twitching and more.
How does it work?
Botox is a protein made from botulinum toxin. The neurotoxic effects of cosmetic Botox work by interfering with nerve signals to prevent muscle contraction. This, in turn can temporarily diminish the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and is commonly used to treat fine lines between the brows, around the eyes, and forehead creases. In simpler words, cosmetic neurotoxin injectables work to help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by paralyzing the muscles underneath. Wherever it’s injected, Botox causes the underlying muscles to temporarily stop moving. When the muscles stop moving, wrinkles stop forming.
More recently a new form of cosmetic botox has also come to the forefront. Foot Botox is a treatment used to relieve pain from high heels. Ahead we look at the different types of cosmetic botox treatments in the market.
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Different kinds of cosmetic Botox
Face Botox
The most common cosmetic treatment is face botox. Much like all cosmetic injections, it’s imperative to ensure you get the right dosage of toxins because an overdose can lead to immobile, tight, waxy-looking faces, but a natural is what more desire. Since this natural look is delivered by injecting a small amount of Botox into key areas, it is known as baby Botox. A low dose helps to soften the muscle, instead of eradicating movement completely.
Yet another emerging trend is preventive Botox which relaxes certain facial muscles during the mid-20s to early 30s. In addition to relaxing frown lines in between the eyebrows, Botox can also lift the corners of the mouth that sag with age, smooth out the pincushion look in some chins, soften smoker’s lines around the mouth, and soften vertical neck cords.
Jaw Botox is also to give your face a more chiselled and sharp look. Hence, the face looks slimmer and more proportionate. Finally, the Nefertiti lift Botox targets the neck and the jawline and gets rid of the neck bands, while tightening the jawline.
Feet Botox
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Foot botox is yet another kind of botox that has been making a buzz. We all know the pain we endure courtesy of high heels, and feet botox is a treatment to reduce the pain. According to a recent report, dermatologists are seeing an uptick in patients seeking foot Botox to treat high-heel-induced foot pain. Foot Botox is used to make towering shoes more comfortable. Botox has a muscle-relaxing effect which can be used to address foot pain from high heels when injected into the right places, say doctors. When injected, it paralyses the muscles in your heel bone hence reducing discomfort.
How Long Does Botox Last?
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Everyone is different, so the answer varies from patient to patient. But generally, it lasts for three to six months.
Does Botox hurt and have side effects?
Like most injections, Botox does hurt, especially between the eyebrows. But most doctors use anaesthesia or ice to numb the area before the procedure. While the side effects are rare, it does have some side effects like mild droopiness of the eyelid, slight bruising at the injection area, inflammation, swelling, redness, bleeding and headaches.
