Botox injections use a neurotoxic protein called botulinum toxin A to treat a variety of medical and cosmetic purposes. Cosmetically, Botox is commonly used as a safe and effective treatment for facial wrinkles, facial lines, and crow’s feet around the eyes. Botox also has a large range of medical purposes as well, such as treating migraines, excessive sweating, and muscle spasticity such as cerebral palsy.
Botox works by being injected into the muscles of the treatment areas to prevent the muscles from moving. The injections block certain chemical signals from nerves, mostly signals that cause muscles to contract. Blocking these nerve signals and muscle contractions is why Botox Is most commonly used to temporarily relax facial muscles. Not surprisingly, as a result Botox is a very popular cosmetic procedure in Los Angeles for everybody from aspiring actors, to businessmen, to celebrities all wanting to look their best and youngest.
Botox injections are relatively quick and do not require anesthesia. As such there will be minimal impact to your daily routine. Generally, Botox can take one to two weeks to take full effect. The benefits of the treatment will typically last three to six months. As the injections begin to wear off, muscle action in the treatment sites will gradually return. With the return of muscle action, lines and wrinkles will often reappear to some degree and need to be treated again.
The cost of these treatments can be very reasonable, and do not require a prescription. Your doctor may be able to provide you with a list of insurance companies in the Los Angeles area that provide the treatment, or you may be able to find an insurance company that will cover it for you at no cost to you. However, if being used for cosmetic purposes, Botox is often not covered by insurance and will have to be paid out of pocket. So, make sure to research all of your options before choosing a treatment and provider.
Are there side effects to Botox? While Botox is relatively safe, in some cases there are some minor side effects that may occur. The most common side effect a patient may experience is temporary bruising and in rare cases a patient may experience headaches for a day or two after treatment. Another rare side effect a patient could experience is a drooping eyelid. This uncommonly happens if a Botox treatment is moved around such as by constantly rubbing a fresh treatment spot. For a full list of possible side effects make sure to consult with your medical professional before treatment.
Schedule a consultation with our team of professionals here at My Botox LA Med Spa to learn about Botox options that will work best for you.
