The use of botox in cosmetic procedures around the world is not a new phenomenon. It is a popular choice among registered medical practitioners to treat facial wrinkles and fine lines, giving the skin a smooth appearance. Unsurprisingly, an increasing number of people are opting for botox cosmetic treatments with each passing year.
While medical professionals with a botox certification perform cosmetic surgeries is common knowledge, many people know only very little about botox. How botox works and if it lasts long are some of the critical queries they have.
This article will answer these questions besides giving some additional helpful information about botox. Let us look at some of its crucial aspects and usage in dermatology.
What is botox?
Botox is a drug used widely in several cosmetic procedures. It is made from the botulinum toxin that is produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. It is a neurotoxin that medical practitioners use in careful doses to decrease or eliminate wrinkles on the face.
How does botox work?
To understand how botox works, one must first understand how wrinkles form.
Wrinkles appear when facial muscles contract. And for these muscles to contract, acetylcholine is released by nerve endings to muscle cells.
When a doctor or nurse holding a botox certification administers an injection, botox blocks these nerve signals by preventing the release of acetylcholine. Therefore, the injected facial muscle cannot contract, causing the wrinkle to soften and relax.
Botox injections are popularly used to treat:
- Crow’s feet – wrinkles that form around the eyes.
- Glabellar or frown lines – wrinkles that form between the eyebrows.
- Lines or wrinkles that form at the corners of the mouth.
- Forehead creases.
- “Cobblestone” or uneven skin texture on the chin.
How long do the effects last?
Typically, botox injections last for approximately three to six months and sometimes up to a year. The definite time frame depends on the type of condition being treated and the amount of botox used. As muscle activity returns over time, wrinkles and lines will reappear and need to be treated again.
Who can administer botox injections?
While it is true that millions of people opt for botox treatments, it is not true that just about anyone can administer the injection. Licensed medical practitioners need to apply and successfully finish botox administration courses. Only then can they legally use the substance for cosmetic purposes.
Following are the steps in which they can attain certification in botox treatment.
Step 1 – Meet eligibility requirements
Those who can apply for botox training courses include licensed medical doctors, registered nurses, dentists, and physician assistants. Anyone barring these is unqualified to enroll in such a course. Applicants must provide their active medical licenses upon enrollment.
Step 2 – Enrollment
There are several botox training courses offered these days. It is best to choose a course offered by registered, expert professionals. Not only will they provide you with theoretical knowledge, they will also give hands-on training. Such clinical studies will help you become familiar with using botox fillers in practice. Also, try looking for aesthetics centers that provide a CE certification once you complete the course successfully.
Step 3 – Attend training and earn the botox certification
Several centers will enable you to learn all the latest injection techniques with the actual botox toxin and not a saline substitute. It will help you understand how the procedure works in reality. Often, you will be allowed to practice what you have learned in the classroom on an actual patient.
Once you have completed the botox course successfully, you will receive the certificate. With that in hand, you are free to begin administering botox treatments. However, some states need registered nurses and physical assistance to administer botox injections only under the supervision of a registered physician. So, RNs and PAs must check for this regulation within their state and begin practicing likewise.
Did you know that botox has non-cosmetic uses?
Research shows that healthcare providers are successfully using botox for a variety of non-cosmetic procedures. These majorly include medical conditions that impact the neuromuscular system.
The use of botox had been approved for the following medical issues:
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- Hyperhidrosis – severe cases of underarm sweating
- Eyelid spasms caused by dystonia
- Cervical dystonia affecting the head and neck
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- Preventing and reducing the frequency of chronic migraines
- Bladder dysfunction caused by a neurological condition
- Strabismus – crossed eyes.
Several studies are still ongoing to check the effect of botox on other medical conditions. But it generally takes about two to three days for botox treatment to begin working. Depending on the course of treatment, it is imperative to visit the clinic for follow-up injections.