Hair and Beauty Tips

Time
has etched lines in your skin. Some days you tell yourself your face
has character. Other days, it seems more like aging. If you are
thinking of smoothing out those frown lines or crow’s-feet, you have
probably considered Botox - an increasingly popular nonsurgical
treatment for facial wrinkles. Botox injections temporarily relax the
facial muscles around wrinkles, making them appear less noticeable.

What
is Botox?

Botox
- the brand name for botulinum toxin type A - is the purified form of
the toxin, which if taken in large amounts by mouth causes the food
poisoning botulism. But when injected in small doses into specific
muscles, Botox blocks the chemical signals that cause muscles to
contract. When the muscles can not tighten, the skin flattens and
appears smoother and less wrinkled.

The
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Botox as a temporary
treatment for moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows.
But it can be used to treat other facial wrinkles as well, such as
the lines that fan out from the corners of the eyes (crow’s-feet).

Besides
a wrinkle treatment, Botox is also used to treat several health
conditions, including headaches, backaches, eye muscle problems,
muscle spasms and excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis). Also,
researchers have found that treating facial scars early on with Botox
may improve the appearance of scars long-term. This use for Botox is
experimental, however, and has not been approved by the FDA.

Botox
must only be used under a doctor’s care. It can be very dangerous if
it
is
administered incorrectly. Look for a Botox
Lexington doctor
who is board certified in dermatology, ears, nose and throat
(otolaryngology), or plastic surgery. Make sure the doctor has
experience with Botox treatments. A skilled and properly certified
doctor can advise you on the procedure and can help determine if it
best suits your needs and health.