BOTOX INJECTIONS
What You Should Know About Botox
Who hasn’t heard of Botox at this point? Be it through advertisement, entertainment, or word of mouth, it doesn’t take long to hear someone talking about the fantastic anti-aging treatment. But with so much information flying around, it can be easy to get lost. Some people say the treatment is safe and fabulous; others claim it’s dangerous.
So where does the truth lie? If you’re looking for Botox injections in NJ, read on to learn the truth about this tried and true anti-aging treatment.
What Is Botox?
Botox is a cosmetic anti-wrinkle injectable. It’s made from a substance called botulinum toxin type A. Botox is safe to use as an injectable treatment because only very small amounts are needed at a time. Additionally, the substance is only injected into a specific area, minimizing risk.
How Does Botox Work?
Botox works by blocking information from reaching the nerve cells in selected muscles. This weakens and relaxes the muscles which pull on the skin and cause wrinkles. When the muscle relaxes, the skin on top smooths out as well. Only very small amounts of Botox are needed per muscle to achieve the desired result.
This nerve-blocking function can also be used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, which are outlined below.
Botox For Cosmetic Use
Cosmetically, Botox is mostly used for smile lines, crow’s feet, forehead lines, and frown lines. Tiny amounts are injected into the relevant muscles to help them relax and stop pulling on the skin, which causes most wrinkles.
Botox For Medical Purposes
Botox isn’t just a cosmetic treatment. You might get referred for Botox injections in NJ by a doctor to treat a range of medical conditions. ;For example:
Botox for Migraines:
Botox has shown to be an effective treatment in providing relief from chronic migraines and headaches.
By injecting Botox into specific muscles around the head, face, and neck, the muscle strain and tension that leads to headaches and migraines subsides. This can provide relief for anywhere up to 6 months.
Botox for TMJ:
TMJ, TMD, or “Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction,” is a fairly common medical condition suffered by a great many people. It’s caused when the muscles connecting the lower jaw and the skull — the temporomandibular joint — become strained or overworked.
This can be for a variety of reasons, such as severe under or overbite, teeth grinding, and jaw clenching due to stress. The result is chronic pain and headaches.
Botox injected into the TMJ relaxes the muscle and relieves the pain, discomfort, and tension. Despite relaxing the muscle, it doesn’t interfere with your ability to eat.
Botox for Sweating:
Sweating? Yes, Botox can even be used to treat excessive sweating. Rather than injecting into a muscle, Botox is injected into the sweat glands themselves. The same function that relaxes muscles prevents sweat glands from activating and producing sweat.
This is only recommended for people with excessive sweating for whom other treatment methods haven’t worked. Results are well tolerated and last up to about seven months.
Botox for Teeth Grinding:
Much like with Botox for TMJ, Botox can be used to prevent teeth grinding as well. By relaxing the associated muscles, there’s less inclination to grind the teeth.
Botox can also be used to treat muscle spasms in the face and neck, and blepharospasm, which is uncontrolled twitching in the eyelid.
How Long Does Botox Last?
For cosmetic applications, a treatment of Botox will last around 3-4 months. First-time users may experience the Botox wearing off sooner than people who have had repeat treatments.
For medical applications, Botox tends to be effective for longer, around 5-7 months.
In both cases, treatment duration will depend on a few factors, such as the person and the amount of Botox used at a time.
Botox Side Effects
It’s important to remember that Botox is made of botulinum toxin, and improper use can have severe consequences. Botox injections are safest when performed by a professional, preferably someone with experience in the field.
As with any medical or cosmetic treatment, there is the possibility of side-effects occurring when getting Botox injections. Most are mild and temporary at best, such as pain and swelling at the injection site. Some people report slight headaches after the treatment which subsides rapidly.
More severe side effects include a drooping eyelid, which only lasts a few days but can last much longer.
Always consult with your doctor before getting any treatment to discuss the benefits and potential risks involved.
A visual Overview about New Jersey Botox Treatments
