What Exactly does Botox do?

Did you know Botox has been around for decades? Since 1989, Botox has been the go-to FDA approved treatment for freezing wrinkles, but Botox has had a serious facelift over the years. What exactly does Botox do?

Botox is the eponymous name for the botulinum toxin, an injectable medication that is most commonly used to ward off wrinkles. Botox was originally developed to treat facial spasm disorders like benign essential blepharospasm, however researchers noticed an unintended, but beneficial, side effect: temporarily getting rid of wrinkles.

Today, Botox is most often used as a cosmetic treatment for wrinkle softening and prevention. Botox can be injected into many wrinkle-prone areas of the face, warding off lines around the forehead, brows, eyes, cheeks, mouth and even neck. Botox can also treat other conditions, such as overactive sweat glands, migraines and crossed eyes.

Botox works by injecting a small dosage of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum under the skin. These targeted injections interfere with the nerve’s signals to tell the muscles to contract. Without the signal to contract, the muscles relax, softening existing wrinkles and preventing new ones from forming. 

From start to finish, receiving a Botox injection takes about 15 minutes. A topical anesthetic may be applied before the injection, but many people find the discomfort of the shot mild enough that no numbing is needed. A small needle is guided into the intended muscle, and then a small dose of Botox is injected. The process may be repeated several times in the same area or across different sections of the face, depending on the scope of the desired outcome. Full effects take a few days to a week, and the injection can last up to 6 months.

If you’re ready to explore what Botox can do for you, Dr. Perman’s expertise and experience with neuromodulators is unmatched in the greater Washington D.C. area. To schedule an appointment, call (301) 571-0000.