According to the University of California, San Francisco, approximately 11 million people worldwide have used Botox for cosmetic purposes. Botox treatment is an outpatient procedure that is quick, FDA-approved, and effective in treating signs of aging, which is why people turn to it time after time.
At River Med Spa in Cocoa Village, FL, we are proud to offer Botox to help you achieve the smoother, more youthful-looking skin you want. Learn more below about Botox and how it works.
Botox’s Purpose and Function
Botox is an injectable solution made of botulinum toxin type A. This substance treats signs of aging by weakening or paralyzing certain muscles responsible for creating wrinkles and fine lines. It does this by interrupting the nerve signals your brain sends to these muscles.
Botox procedures can help relax the muscles that cause the following:
- Crow’s feet
- Frown lines between eyebrows
- Forehead creases
- Smile lines
- Neck bands
- Lip lines
At our med spa, we also offer Botox for the treatment of certain medical conditions, including:
- Excessive sweating
- Headache and migraine relief
- TMJ pain
Botox is particularly useful in treating dynamic wrinkles. As you age, your body produces less collagen and elastin, which are the proteins that keep your skin hydrated and flexible.
With this decrease, each expression you make leaves a trace on your face because your skin cannot bounce back into place as effectively as it did when you were younger. The wrinkles that expressions like smiling or frowning create are called dynamic wrinkles.
A Botox procedure doesn’t allow the targeted muscles to contract, giving you a softer appearance. The effects are not permanent, but they can last for a few months.
The best candidates for Botox are people at least 18 years old who are physically healthy and who do not have a history of neuromuscular conditions like multiple sclerosis.
If you are pregnant or nursing, or if you have ptosis, deep facial scars, very thick facial skin, or skin infections at the injection sites, we will look for alternative treatments.
Botox Benefits
Botox procedures are outpatient treatments with no downtime. You do not have to worry about long recovery times; you can get back to your life right after the session. It is also a fast procedure, with many of our clients scheduling it during their lunch breaks.
Another of the many Botox benefits is its affordability. At our med spa, each Botox unit has a low cost. The number of units you need will depend on the treatment area and its size. Because Botox can provide immediate results, you can also save money on purchasing skin\care creams and lotions.
Lasting results are another benefit. You can expect your smoother skin to last three to four months before the effects begin to wane. When you come to our med spa, we can put together a customized plan so that there will be no gaps in treatment.
Botox is also preventative. Over time, the injections can train the problem muscles to be naturally softer, reducing the natural development of wrinkles.
Preparing for Your Botox Injections
The first thing you should do is book a consultation at our med spa. This consultation allows us to get a complete medical history and to assess the areas you would like treated. Let us know if you have used injectables in the past or if you take any medications.
To prepare for Botox injections, stop taking blood-thinning medications like ibuprofen and aspirin a week before your appointment. You also want to avoid drinking alcohol and smoking for at least a week to make the healing procedure easier.
Don’t schedule a chemical peel, laser treatments, or any other facial procedures in the days leading up to the injections.
What Is the Procedure Like?
On the day of your appointment, come to our clinic with a clean face and without wearing makeup in the treatment area. We will ask you to contract the muscles you want to be softened, and then we will apply a cold compress or ice pack to the area. In some instances, we might also use a topical anesthetic.
We will then inject the Botox units, and you can return to your day. The treatment can last anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes.
The Recovery Process
There is no downtime with Botox. To allow the solution to settle, avoid strenuous exercise and very high temperatures for at least 24 hours. You should also avoid rubbing, scratching, or massaging the injection sites. We recommend that you sleep slightly upright the first night after your Botox injections.
We encourage our patients to wait a day to use makeup on the treatment area. Use only a gentle facial cleanser, and don’t take blood-thinning medication for a few days after your appointment.
You can begin to see results within 24 hours, though you will not see the full results for at least three days.
On average, Botox treatment can last three to four months, but we suggest that you schedule your follow-up appointment sooner to prevent any gaps in treatment.
Turn to Botox Treatment for Anti-Aging Help
If you have wrinkles and fine lines, or if you have medical conditions that Botox can help treat, scheduling your first appointment can put you on your way to getting the results you want.
At River Med Spa, we offer Botox injections to the Cocoa Village, Titusville, Cape Canaveral, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach, and Rockledge areas of Florida. We use scientifically proven treatments to ensure our patients get the individualized treatment they deserve. Book your appointment today.
