Cosmetic procedures have become immensely popular throughout the US. The most sought is Botox – even more so than the traditional favorite, face lift – with California being the state with the highest number of Botox injections per capita.

The drug was first introduced in the late ’80s and was originally used to treat eye or optical muscle disorders. Today, it’s in play to eliminate or prevent facial wrinkles, particularly those caused by repeated expressions.

How Botox Works

Essentially, Botox works by paralyzing your facial muscles. The subtle poisons in every Botox injection stop your muscles from a producing a chemical called acetylcholine. This chemical is what allows your muscles to contract and create facial expressions. By stopping your muscles from contracting, Botox is not only limiting their ability to make existing wrinkles appear more pronounced, but it’s also preventing new wrinkles from forming.

How Well Botox Actually Works

On average, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles are reduced by about 80 percent in patients using Botox. The average person will typically see results within a week, and they will last up to about 3 to 5 months.

Botox Injections and the Procedure

For Botox, patients typically receive their injections right inside the privacy of their doctor’s office. There is no anesthesia involved, though some practitioners may administer a dab of numbing cream designed to minimize the discomfort associated with each injection.

The doctor begins by pinpointing the areas to be injected. Using a marking pencil, he or she will mark each injection point and then apply antiseptic. After reviewing the number of injection points, your doctor will measure out the appropriate amount of Botox to use.

Your doctor will then inject Botulinum Toxin Type A, the actual name for the Botox drug, into each injection point. The poisons then target the muscles and eventually cause them to stop producing acetylcholine. It takes about 7 to 10 days for Botox to become visibly effective.

Length of Treatment

For Botox, users can typically expect their treatments to last anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the amount of preparation required and the size of the treatment area. Typically though, it’s not a lengthy procedure.

After Care for Botox Injections

Recovery is fairly simple after Botox – patients typically resume normal activities immediately after treatment. However, these individuals should stay out of the sun, so pack a sun hat or sunglasses with you to wear after your treatment is completed.

Cost of Botox

Costs for Botox treatments will vary significantly, depending on the size of the area to be covered, your region and of course the doctor. The average cost for Botox injections are about $150 to $400 per treatment – California having some of the highest rates in the country. Don’t count on your medical plan covering the procedure.

How to Find a Botox Physician

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons – on the web at plasticsurgery.org – and the American Academy of Dermatology (aad.org) are two organizations that can assist your search for certified doctors in your area who offer Botox injections.

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