Our bodies can be the source of many frustrations. Facial wrinkles are especially annoying because of their prominence. But what can we do to smooth them? Even if your facial lines are frustrating you, it can be tough to decide how to proceed. With more and more cosmetic injections on the market, choosing between your options may prove tricky. Moreover, the thought of whether those injections could be damaging causes many patients to hesitate. This blog post will knock at least one medication off that mysterious list. Read on to learn more about exactly what Botox is, how it works, and whether it could be right for you.
What Botox Really Is
“Botox” is a portmanteau – it is a combination of the two words that make up the medication it contains. Botulinum toxin A is a protein that causes muscle denervation. In simple terms, it stops muscle contractions by breaking the communication chain between nerves and muscles. Botulinum toxin is a toxin (the name says it all), but one that can be used responsibly. If Botox is administered at the correct location by a skilled provider, it will result in predictable smoothing of facial lines.
How Neuromuscular Blockers Work
We mentioned that Botox breaks the nervous system’s communication chain. But what exactly does this mean? Understanding the way muscle movement occurs helps Botox’s effects make sense. Your muscles contract when they receive messages from nerves. This occurs at the neuromuscular junction, the area where muscles and nerves make contact. At the junction, the nerve signal releases acetylcholine. This binds to the muscle, which kickstarts another set of reactions, and results in muscle movement. When Botox enters the equation, the nerve signal is unable to affect the muscle. Botulinum toxin binds to acetylcholine receptors and remains in place. Because those receptors are occupied, the nerve’s acetylcholine has no point of attachment. The muscle cannot contract, but remains unharmed, as its lack of movement is merely due to blocked receptors. This prevention of contraction lasts for 3-6 months, ending when the muscle develops new receptors and is able to bypass the botulinum toxin.
Seeking Botox in Naperville
All that being said, one question remains unanswered: which wrinkles is Botox right for? Since Botox targets muscle function, the wrinkles it treats are ones caused by repetitive muscle contraction. Because of this and other ways the facial musculature works, Botox tends to be most effective on wrinkles across the forehead and around the eyes. When injected, the medication stops target muscles from contracting and allows the overlying skin to relax. When you’re stressed or concentrating, your brow will remain unfurrowed. As your skin relaxes, it begins to heal, smoothing vertical and horizontal lines.
Dr. Robert Thomas has spent his career and continuing education becoming an authority on facial musculature. As an orthodontist, he is an expert on the way the face and its muscles work. His skills allow him to provide entirely predictable results when administering Botox. He will meet with you prior to treatment to discuss your goals, and determine the correct number of Botox units and placement of injections.
Don’t allow your wrinkles to limit your self-confidence or self-worth. Schedule a consultation to begin a Botox conversation. We’ll help you decide whether Botox or another type of cosmetic injection is right for the wrinkles you’re hoping to treat. Your outer appearance should reflect the youthfulness of your inner self, and Botox treatment can help bridge the gap.
