There has been a pivotal shift in how Age or Ageing is defined in this age of rapid technological advancement, profound global interconnectedness, and pressing societal trends (and beauty standards). And at large, people in their late 30’s or even 40’s could no longer be differentiated from those in 20’s, if not exaggerated much. All thanks to medical and aesthetic innovations!

To cut the chase, who doesn’t know about BOTOX in this era?

We all heard about it. It treats ageing or make a person stay youthful. The rest is the work of science and its remarkable art of practices in which this blog is meant to break down for you all.

What is BOTOX ? How Safe It Is ?

Botox is a muscle relaxing protein derived from a specialised bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. Wait up! No deep science just a tint. Medically, it is used for therapeutic purposes in such a small and controlled doses like: chronic migraines, muscle spasms (such as cervical dystonia and spasticity), excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), overactive bladder, and certain eye muscle disorders.

But Why?

Because Botox’s primary function, you can say, is to ease down nerve signals in the muscles where it is injected, causing temporary muscle relaxation.

In Skin Science, it has even better purpose which works favourably for everyone in terms of aesthetic treatments.

Now, Botox has made through the cosmetic world as one of the top minimally invasive anti- ageing injectables.

How Botox Works & What Does It Fix?

Botox injections use botulinum toxin A, to reduce the appearance of fine lines and dynamic wrinkles. All of us are made up of cells, tissues and muscles that much we know for sure and our whole system works synergistically as we speak, laugh, walk or sleep.

Dynamic wrinkles arise from the repetitive movement of facial muscles. For instance, when you smile, marionette lines appear around the mouth. Similarly, crow’s feet develop at the corners of the eyes during smiling or squinting. Horizontal lines emerge on the forehead when you raise your eyebrows, while frown lines appear when you furrow your brow.

In youth, these creases weren’t a problem at all, as they would only be visible when we made facial expressions and would eventually fade out when they settled. The harsh truth is as we age, all these creases will etch into the skin in the form of wrinkles and fine lines. Because, like us all, our body cells deteriorate and are no longer active in producing collagen to keep up with the ever youth skin we all hope for.

Now the formulation of Botox is such that its active ingredient botulinum toxin type A temporarily interrupts the neurotransmitters on the muscles responsible for dynamic wrinkles.

Where Is Botox Injected?

Botox can be injected (under certified and qualified dermatologists’ or aestheticians’ supervision) in various treatments areas according to your aesthetic needs to reduce fine lines and creases or prevent the formation of dynamic wrinkles. Under specialised and tailored program, micro doses of Botox can also be injected into the lower face as an off-label use of Botox treatment, specifically to reduce the appearance of marionette lines that extend from the corners of the mouth down the chin, smile lines around the mouth, bunny lines around the nose, and lip lines. Not limited to these, it can be effectively use to lift the neck and decolletage, under the arms to reduce sweating, and in the masseter muscles to reduce jaw tension.

What Are The Benefits Of Botox?

• Reduces and prevents visible signs of ageing such as
– Nasolabial folds
– Marionette lines
– Forehead lines

• Stops excessive sweating (or hyperhidrosis) and reverses stress sweat by blocking the chemical responsible (acetylcholine) for activating sweat glands in the body.

• Treats neck spasms also known as cervical dystonia by inhibiting the rapid muscle movements.

• Provides relief from acute migraines by reducing the pain transmission from the headache.

How Safe Is Botox Injections? Any complimentary side-effects?

Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, best dermatologist in Delhi, notably renowned for providing quality dermatological and aesthetic treatments breaks down some nudges and edges – all things related to safe use of Botox in aesthetic dimension.

Besides the growing popularity of Botox Injections for anti-ageing treatments, there are undoubtedly several cases of unconditional use and unethical practices injecting people at cheaper price. To highlight : women getting sick from botulism after getting botox injections surfaces from different parts of the world!

Let’s be crystal clear: these incidents are not associated with licensed dermatologists or medical professionals. They stem from illegal substances administered by untrained individuals in unregulated environments.

Before you consider any cosmetic procedures or ant-ageing injectables such as Botox, ask these few questions:

* Who is injecting your face?
* Do they possess comprehensive knowledge of facial anatomy?
* Are they equipped to handle potential complications?
* What is being injected? (after all its your own skin)
* If it is significantly cheaper than standard rates, why?

Of course any cosmetic procedures ( invasive or non-invasive) certainly carry some side effects howsoever negligible and the chances of reacting is different from individual to individual. One common side effect of Botox injectables is bruising or discolouration at the injection sites or treatment areas for at least 24-36 hours. And it is often advised to use ice intermittently until it subsides the discomfort. Additionally, there are chances of mild redness, irritation and swelling which will disappear within a day or two.

And finally,

When’s The Right Age to Get Botox Injectables At The Earliest?

Well, like every other aesthetic procedures, there is no “one-size-fits-all” rule to get it done. The thumb rule is to get your aesthetic goals and desire evaluated and consulted with a qualified dermatologist or cosmetologist. And as a generalised body clock, we all age at some point of time and our body gets tired and collagen production decreases by late 20s and early 30s and fine lines from dynamic wrinkles become etched onto the face, apparent even when the face is at rest.

So, its equally important to make informed decision while choosing your injectors to have a well defined aesthetic goals rather than being guided by influences, we all know how popularism works these days.