Many people think that because Botox is advertised in day spas and other non-medical offices, botulinum injections are on the same level as a manicure, facial or haircut. We cannot stress enough that this is not the case! Though non-surgical, injections are a medical procedure that requires specific training, knowledge and skill to administer safely and effectively.

When selecting a provider for injectable treatments, give your decision the same level of care and scrutiny that you would for a surgical procedure. While many doctors begin advertising Botox treatments after attending a weekend course in injectables. Choose a Botox provider with an extensive knowledge of facial anatomy, a well-developed aesthetic eye, skill and precision.

Botulinum toxin injections are non-surgical and typically completed during an office visit. Your initial treatment will begin with a consultation, during which you will meet with your cosmetic clinician to discuss your concerns and goals.

During your consultation, your cosmetic clinician will evaluate your area of concern and go over your medical history. Even though there is little risk of major complications for most patients, it is still imperative that you share your medical history fully and openly with your provider before treatment, as certain allergies, skin and neurological conditions, or medications can make treatment unsuitable for a patient. For instance, you need to tell your cosmetic clinician if you have been taking NSAIDs (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen) or blood thinners.

Just before the actual treatment, you may be given a topical anesthetic to numb the area prior to injection, though many patients find this unnecessary, as the needles used to inject botulinum toxins are very thin and the injections are not very deep. Your provider will reconstitute the botulinum toxin into a solution, and inject this solution into the muscle at strategic points. Most patients describe a pinching feeling during the injection, though not much pain.

You will be able to go back to your normal activities right after treatment, but Modern Aesthetics cosmetic clinician  ask that you to take the day off from exercise or other strenuous activity, and to keep your head upright for the rest of the day. Mild redness, swelling at the injection site, and bruising are the most common side effects.

Following treatment, you will not see results immediately. This is expected, so do not worry that treatment hasn’t worked. Depending on the patient, product used, and area treated, final results are typically reached 3 to 7 days after initial treatments. If this is your first botulinum toxin treatment, your cosmetic clinician may initially inject a more conservative amount and touch up the results during a follow up treatment. This helps to ensure natural, optimal results without the risk of over-treating an area.

The wrinkle-reducing effects from botulinum treatments will vary depending on the patient, the area treated, and the product used, but results will typically last anywhere from 3 to 6 months. To maintain your results, your cosmetic clinician will simply repeat treatment, adjusting dosage and techniques as necessary to ensure optimal results.

While botulinum toxin type A is most commonly used to treat facial wrinkles, cosmetic clinicians can also use neurotoxins to address other aesthetic concerns that are associated with nerve and muscle activity:

• Reduce excessive sweating. Botulinum type A injections can be used to interrupt the nerve impulses that activate the sweat glands, helping alleviate embarrassment from excessive sweating on the armpits, hands or feet.
• Soften vertical neck bands. If you are bothered by prominent vertical bands on your neck, botulinum toxins can be used to relax the responsible muscles and give your neck a smoother, softer appearance.

With an experienced, qualified provider, Botox-type injectables provide natural-looking rejuvenation with a safe, convenient procedure with virtually no downtime. The best way to learn whether you are a good candidate for botulinum toxin injections is to meet Modern Aesthetics for a consultation.