Botox 101
Story Highlights
- The Back Story
- Men and Women Opt for the Jab
- But How Does it Work?
- Where Can You Use It?
- How Long Does it Last?
The Back Story
We should have all long since overcome the shock‐factor that Botox initially provoked since its introduction into the mainstream grooming world ten years or so ago. First introduced in the 1980’s as an option for treating medical conditions ‐ such as uncontrolled blinking and lazy eye ‐ it didn’t take long for doctors to realise that this procedure could also diminish the lines and wrinkles that were the result of the aging process, and so a multi‐million dollar cosmetic industry was born.
Men and Women Opt for the Jab
Women may have been at the forefront of this anti‐ageing revolution but today, the number of men opting for regular jabs has risen dramatically. Look at any men’s spa or salon and chances are, if they aren’t already offering the procedure themselves, there’ll be an association with a clinic or practitioner that does. Up to 300,000 American men are now having Botox every six weeks, and Allergan, the American Botox manufacturer, has reported a 30% surge among men.
But How Does it Work?
Botox injections consist of very diluted amounts of botulism bacterium. When injected directly under the skin’s surface, the substance causes a controlled weakening of the muscles, resulting in a softer and more relaxed look. The procedure itself only takes a few minutes and there is no anesthesia necessary. Botox only works on the affected area and does not affect other muscles, responsible for other facial expressions so some of your natural expressions are maintained.
Where Can You Use It?
Botox injections were originally approved by the FDA for treating lines and wrinkles between the eyebrows, however Doctors now use Botox to eliminate many other signs of aging, including crow’s feet, lines across the forehead, eye lines, laughter lines, creasing at the corner of the mouth and even fine smoker lines, around the mouth.
How Long Does it Last?
The effects can be seen in around three days and the average amount of time that a Botox injection lasts is between four and six months. At this point full muscle function returns and so do the wrinkles. Many then repeat the procedure to keep lines and wrinkles at bay. Many find the returning wrinkles are less pronounced than the original lines as the Botox injections can train the muscles of the face to relax ‐ to a certain degree.
It can however be an addictive process and the results vary from person to person, so if you’re happy with what you’ve got, maybe invest those pennies in something a little more worthwhile …
‐ Paul Ewart
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