Botox is a cosmetic injection made from a neurotoxin protein known as onabotulinumtoxinA. When this substance is used in Botox injections, it functions as a neuromodulator. Neuromodulators are substances that either enhance or inhibit the activity of neurotransmitters, which are the molecules that your brain and spinal cord use to send messages to the rest of the body.
 
With regard to the neuromodulating action of Botox injections, onabotulinumtoxinA temporarily inhibits involuntary muscle contractions in the injection site. Botox injections are used in this way because repeated muscle contractions in a particular area are one of the primary culprits for wrinkles and fine lines, the other being a decrease in collagen production that occurs naturally as we get older.
 
Involuntary muscle contractions occur whenever we make a facial expression, whether that is smiling, squinting, frowning, or the classic surprised look. When we are young and our bodies are producing significant amounts of collagen, which is a fibrous protein that makes all our connective tissues like our skin strong and healthy, our skin easily bounces back into form from the contractions. However, as our bodies produce less collagen as we age, our skin loses its ability to bounce back into form from repeated muscle contractions. As a result, wrinkles and fine lines begin to appear in the areas of our faces that make those expressions.
 
Botox injections help smoothen out those fine lines and wrinkles by temporarily pausing muscle activity in those areas, allowing your skin the time and space it needs to bounce back into form.

Botox injections are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a safe and effective treatment for moderate to severe fine lines and wrinkles around the eyebrows, eyes, and forehead, including forehead lines, crow’s feet lines, and frown lines.

Botox has many anti-aging benefits, such as reduced wrinkles and fine lines, boosted confidence in your appearance, and more. In addition to the anti-aging benefits that Botox provides, however, Botox is used in various medical treatments as well! As such, some of the other ways Botox can benefit you include:
 
– Treating drooping brows
– Stopping excessive sweating
– Reducing migraine pain
– Bell’s Palsy treatment
– Stopping eye twitching
– Treating cervical dystonia
– Non-invasive

Since Botox is a non-invasive treatment, there is virtually no downtime after Botox injections. While you may experience some minor bruising or swelling at the injection site, this should only last a couple of days and not prevent you from any of your regular activities. As such, you should be able to return to work or whatever your day has in store for you immediately after Botox treatment!
 
If you would like more information about Botox injections or want to schedule an appointment with one of our Botox specialists, please feel free to give us a call or schedule an online appointment through our website. We are conveniently located at 19647 WA-410, Bonney Lake, WA 98391. We serve patients from Bonney Lake WA, Orting WA, South Hill WA, Puyallup WA, South Prairie WA, and Sumner WA. We look forward to meeting you!