It’s a bacterium that’s also a cosmetic wonder. It’s been called the ultimate fountain of youth. When small doses are injected into facial muscles it eliminates unwanted wrinkles revealing a younger, fresher appearance. Botox treatments can improve the following conditions:

· Forehead creases

· Crow’s feet around the eyes

· Frown lines between the nose and eyebrows

· Skin bands around the neck

· Improves appearances of scars long term

What is Botox?

Botox is short for botulinum toxin type “A”. It is a purified low-concentrate protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum, which contains the same toxin that causes food poisoning. When it’s injected into a muscle, it blocks the chemical signals that causes the muscles to contract. The muscles react to the bacteria by tightening up causing the skin to flatten revealing a smoother, softer appearance.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Botox for the temporary treatment of moderate and severe frown lines back in 2002. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). , Botox is the fastest growing cosmetic procedure in the industry today.

Before getting a Botox treatment, be sure to do the following:

· Get a qualified doctor that is trained in cosmetic surgery of the face to perform the procedure

· Be informed – ask lots of questions about the benefits and risks of the procedure

· Be sure you are in a medical setting that uses sterile techniques. Emergency equipment should be available if there are any problems

· Do not drink alcohol before Botox

· Sit upright for several hours after the procedure

The Procedure

The doctor carefully chooses “wrinkle-producing” muscles, and then inserts a thin needle injecting a small amount of Botox into the area. Your doctor will choose muscles that will preserve your natural facial expressions. The number of injections depends on several factors:

· Your facial features

· The area that’s being treated

· The extent of the wrinkling

· Crow’s feet may take 2-3 injections

· Furrowed brow approximately 5 or more injections

The whole procedure takes 10 to 15 minutes in your doctor’s office. There’s no anesthesia and very little discomfort or pain after the injections. You may experience headaches for a few hours but will be able to resume your normal activities immediately. Take caution to not rub the area near the injection, so the toxins won’t migrate to other areas of the face. The results could be temporary weakness or droopiness of the facial muscles.

Just about everyone has, at one time or another, heard about Botox Injections. Botox is the most popular non-invasive procedure on the market today because the Benefits of Botox are great with little risk involved.

Botox blocks your nerve impulses, temporarily paralyzing the muscles that cause wrinkles. This will give your skin a smoother, more rejuvenated appearance. That is all and well, but what are the draw backs to Botox? The only drawbacks are almost non existent when weighed with the obvious benefit of reducing the appearance of age defining wrinkles. Your Botox injection may take 15 years worth of wrinkles off your neck or face, but regrettably, it will certainly not last forever. You will have to receive further injections on a fairly regular basis. Around every four months you will need to go back in and get a refresher injection. Some people choose to turn this into an advantage by converting the cosmetic procedure into a social event called a Botox party. A Botox party is in essence, a group of people sharing the Botox experience with one another usually for company over the simple joy of finger food in a catered lobby of a lucky doctor. Sharing your exsperiance may help to ease some of the fear involved with trying something new. You are also able to see live Before and After demonstrations. If after all of this you still are not pleased with your youthful new appearance, then you are in luck because the drawback is also your advantage. You will not have a terribly long wait for the effects to wear off.

Botox is very safe when administered by a competent professional in a medical setting. Botox injections are for good reason the fastest-growing cosmetic procedure in the industry, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). In 2001, more than 1.6 million people received injections, an increase of 46 percent over the previous year. Botox has been FDA approved since April 2002 and was found to officially reduce the severity of frown lines for up to 120 days.

In considering facial cosmetic rejuvenation procedures, finding a Los Angeles facial plastic surgeon that you have confidence in, and are comfortable talking to is probably the most important factor. You should be able to work together with your doctor in developing a treatment plan that fits your needs and expectations.

The strongest influence in choosing a Glendale cosmetic surgeon for facial plastic surgery tends to be the doctor’s experience level. You should be able to speak with the doctor about his experience, education, affiliations, etc. Experience comes with consistent results. Ask for a before-and-after photo album to see some of your doctor’s work. Typical results should be consistently successful, but don’t be afraid to ask for the worst.

Doctors with special training in facial cosmetic surgery should be board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. You can contact the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, or the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for a list of qualified facial plastic surgeons, and their specialties, in your area.

Based on factors like your skin type, body type, age, and medical history may make your more or less of an ideal candidate for specific procedures like Los Angeles facelift, eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, etc. A good cosmetic surgeon will talk to you and help you understand the best options for facial surgery based on the aforementioned factors.

Cosmetic surgery like Los Angeles rhinoplasty (nose surgery), blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)or even non-surgical procedures like Laser Skin Resurfacing, Botox and other injectable fillers, is not a necessarily an emergency procedure, so there is no reason to rush. Don’t feel obligated to decide on the first doctor you meet. You should be able to feel comfortable about your decision and get the most information you can. Shop around,