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Everything You Need to Know About Botox Injections

Botox injections are commonly used to treat facial wrinkles but there are many other applications for them. So, what is a Botox injection? It is a professional procedure injected into the skin. The location and number of treatments will depend on the condition being remedied. It’s important to understand what’s involved if you’re considering Botox.

What is Botox and how does it work?

Botox is a brand name for Botulinum toxin. It is a substance that works as an injectable muscle relaxant. Because it temporarily paralyzes muscles, it prevents deep lines and wrinkles from forming, which results in a smoother-looking skin.

There are two Botulinum toxins that are used. Botulinum-A and Botulinum-B, which work on blocking nerve signals to the muscles. Thus, inhibiting muscle contraction. Where to inject Botox depends on the reasons you are going for treatment.

Botox Safety

Botox injections are approved as a safe treatment when administered by a professionally trained practitioner. There may be some side effects but these are generally short-lived.

There is no right or wrong time to start Botox treatment because it is not a necessity but rather an optional application for cosmetic or therapeutic use. They can also be used as a preventative treatment, so you can opt for Botox injections at any time.

What is Botox and how does it work?

Application of Botox injections

Although Botox is well-known for treating facial wrinkles, they are being used for a number of different conditions. These include neck spasms, excessive sweating, and chronic migraines.

Anti-wrinkle face Botox Injections

Ageing skin is caused by a combination of factors. Wrinkles are a result of altered pigmentation, the loss of soft tissue, and sagging skin. Other wrinkles form because of repetitive muscle movement. There are dynamic wrinkles that move with muscle movement and static wrinkles that do not change when there is muscle movement.

Horizontal lines develop across the forehead known as worry lines, vertical lines become prominent between the eyebrows through muscle contraction and are also referred to as frown lines. Crow’s feet are lines that branch out the corners of the eyes usually caused by smiling.

Facial Botox injections reduce the appearance of these types of wrinkles that occur around the face. Small quantities of Botox are injected into these areas and smooths the overlying skin layer to decrease distinct wrinkles. The effects last for anything between 4 and 6 months.

Neck Botox Injections

Neck spasms (Cervical Dystonia) is when the muscles tighten involuntarily forcing the neck into an uncomfortable and painful position. This can further cause issues with aches and neck pain getting worse over time and it can result in tremors experienced in the head or hands.

Botox injections in neck is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat this condition. It is effective in blocking the nerve signals to reduce muscle spasms, tension, and stiffness. The nerve signals then cannot tell the muscles to contract.

It is not necessary to have daily Botox injections for neck spasms. Typically, treatment is applied every 3 months where Botox is injected directly into the affected neck muscles. There is no harm in having injections sooner than 3 months if the effect has worn off by the previous injection.

Botox injections in neck

Botox Injections for Hyperhidrosis

Sweating is an essential bodily function to regulate our body temperature. However, excessive sweating (Hyperhidrosis) is not normal. It can adversely affect one’s quality of life as it can be distressing and socially isolating. Excessive sweating can occur under the arms or feet, the scalp, hands, or groin.

Before selecting Botox for hyperhidrosis, it’s important to first be evaluated to rule out any underlying health condition. A Botox injection course has been proven as a successful treatment for hyperhidrosis. Injections are administered every 4 to 6 months as the nerves regenerate. After a few sessions, you can prolong the length between treatments.

Botox injections are usually well-tolerated and the areas that sweating occurs respond well to treatment. It’s not uncommon to experience slight pain initially in the feet and hands because more nerve endings are found there.

Botox Injections for Migraines

For people who are diagnosed with migraines or frequently suffer from them, Botox may just be the answer. It’s not a solution for those who get the odd headache. Chronic migraines occur often, at least 15 times in one month for a period of more than 3 months.

Associated symptoms include severe head pain preventing activity, ultra-sensitivity to light, smell, and sound, nausea and vomiting, and dizziness. It was found that after people had Botox for cosmetic reasons, they experienced an improvement in their headaches. This urged doctors to further investigate its use for migraines.

Botox obstructs neurotransmitters from sending pain signals to the brain blocking them from getting to the nerve endings found in the neck and head. Botox is injected into this area at least once every 3 months to dull the migraine pain. You will go for a number of sessions before the long-term side effects of Botox injections show the migraines are subsiding altogether.

Final Thoughts

The results of Botox are not permanent because nerves regenerate but intervals between injections can gradually be increased. Some of the side effects of Botox injections include temporary pain, swelling, or flu-like symptoms.

There are numerous contraindications to Botox. If you suffer from disorders that involve the nerves, muscles, vision, lungs, or certain cancers, or you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is not recommended to undergo Botox treatment. This is why it is so important to have an initial consultation with a medical practitioner to ensure you’re a good candidate for treatment.

How often Botox injections are needed depends on the purpose of treatment and should only be done under a specialist’s care. Having follow-up appointments after treatment is advisable to check for any serious side effects. While Botox injections don’t need a recovery period, it is recommended to avoid strenuous activities immediately after as it will increase blood flow. This could spread the Botox to other areas accidentally while reducing effectiveness at the injected.

Summer Skin Care Routine Recommendations

Everyone loves the first sun rays that emerge after months of winter. But with the onset of summer, your skin is exposed to unkind elements such as UV rays, heat, and air conditioning. By changing to a summer skincare routine, you can better protect your skin when it starts to heat up.

What happens to our skin in the summer?

Our summer skincare tips will help you combat the effects of the summer season that can wreak havoc on your skin. Hot temperatures increase water loss through sweating, which can lead to dehydration. And when skin isn’t properly hydrated, it becomes inflamed, dry, and extra sensitive.

Additionally, the more you sweat, the more oil is produced and skin cell production increases. With that, dead skin cells combined with excess sweat and oil result in spotty breakouts. It’s not just sweat and oil that cause skin problems, other factors come into play, which can be prevented with a summer skincare routine.

Causes of Summer Skin Problems

Overexposure to sun damages the skin’s moisture barrier causing a loss in elasticity, resulting in dryness and premature ageing. It’s not just hot, sunny days that require added protection, UV rays are ever-present. And when spending your vacation in the pool or sea, that is also double trouble for your skin. UV rays rebound off water surfaces, giving your skin an unhealthy dose of radiation.

While air conditioning is a welcome relief during those scorching summer days, it has a negative effect on your skin. Air conditioning emits cold, dry air, which reduces humidity. A balanced humidity level helps keep the skin hydrated and healthy. But when humidity is low, moisture evaporates, leaving the skin feeling dull and dry.

What happens to our skin in the summer?

How to care for your skin in the summer season

The weather may be uncontrollable, but skin health is not. By implementing a seasonal routine, you can protect your skin against the elements to prevent premature aging, dehydration, dryness, and breakouts. Check out the following tips on how to take care of face skin in summer.

What should a day skincare routine for summer include?

By implementing a daytime skin care routine, you can safeguard and nurture your skin for a radiant look.

  • Cleanse twice a day, once in the morning and once before bedtime. A quality foam wash will help get rid of a sweat and oil build-up.
  • Exfoliate to treat dull, dry skin. A facial scrub removes dead skin cells from the pores and rejuvenates the skin. Be mindful not to over-exfoliate as that can dry out the skin even more and cause rashes. Once or twice a week will do the trick.
  • Use a refreshing toner to revitalize the skin. Toners open the pores and clean out accumulated oil.
  • Apply moisturizer regularly. Moisturizers with an SPF is great for face skincare in summer. It keeps the skin hydrated while protecting against UV rays.
  • Use a high factor sunscreen when spending time outdoors. This is an extra barrier against skin damage and should be applied to all exposed skin and not just the face.
  • Drink water for skin hydration. This is a simple yet important ingredient to include in your skincare routine. It also helps flush out toxins to overall health.

What should a night skincare routine for summer include?

Dedicate some time towards a night skincare routine for summer when the has gone down and your busy day is over.

  • Before starting your night skincare routine, remove every trace of makeup. Even if you use light makeup during summer, it’s important to make sure you’ve cleaned your skin thoroughly. Use a damp cotton pad to gently wipe your face down.
  • Removing makeup is not a cleansing step. Next, you will need to use a facial cleanser to do a deep clean to get rid of oil and impurities.
What should a night skin care routine for summer include?
  • Apply a soothing face mask as it helps to relax and cleanse stressed areas. Keep the mask on for about 15 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.
  • Apply a light, water-based moisturizer to infuse the skin with moisture. Heavy moisturizers during summer can increase an oil build-up.
  • The delicate skin around the eyes easily dries out, which makes wrinkles and lines more pronounced. Dab eye cream below your eyes using an anti-wrinkle, firming eye cream.
  • Add a hydrating lip balm to keep the lips plump and healthy.
  • Applying a moisturizing self-tan before bedtime is a great alternative to maintaining a sun-kissed look without having to exposure yourself to harsh UV rays. Apply the self-tan after bathing so the skin is cleaned first.

Final Thoughts

Over and above your day and night regime, there are clinical treatments that you can indulge in to compliment your skin care routine. Facial peels and deep exfoliation procedures at a dermatologist’s office offers the ultimate round off for the best skin care routine for summer. Your dermatologist will advise which is the best treatment for your skin type although most people will benefit.

Facial Peels

Facial peels are effective in reducing visible signs of aging, blemishes, spots, and uneven texture. This procedure removes dead skin cells and exposes trapped oil and dirt that can be removed. It repairs the skin’s barrier and stimulates collagen production for a bright, smooth, and even complexion. During summer, treat yourself to an afternoon facial peel. It’s best to avoid having a morning peel because your skin will be ultra-sensitive during the day with increased exposure to direct sunlight.

Exfoliation

Having a deep exfoliation at a dermatologist invigorates and replenishes the skin layers. It works below the skin’s top layer to extract impurities and remove dead cells. It is a powerful solution to treating breakouts and skin blemishes. A deep exfoliation evens the skin tone and regenerates cells for a youthful, healthy, and radiant look. If you exfoliate once or twice a week at home, a deep exfoliation once every few weeks will keep your skin in the best condition during summer.