We give you the lowdown on Botox®
What is Botox® and is it right for me?
Botox® is a Prescription Medicine containing 50, 100 or 200 units of clostridium botulinum Type A toxin complex for injection. It is used for the treatment of frown lines, crows feet and horizontal forehead lines. It should be administered only by trained medical professionals. Possible side effects include headaches, pain, burning or redness at injection site, local muscle weakness including drooping eye lids, lack of feeling & nausea. Botox® treatment lasts about four months and after this time further courses of treatment may be necessary. Cautions include people with defective neuro-muscular transmission disorders, presence of infection at site of injection, glaucoma, pregnancy and lactation.
When is the best age to stop wrinkles, and start Botox®?
There’s no right or wrong time to have Botox®, and it’s actually more common than you might think. Many of us have considered it, but have put it off because of the stigma, lack of information, or are concerned about when to have it. So, we’re breaking it all down, and giving you all the info on exactly when’s a good time to consider having cosmetic injections, and if they are right for you.
In your 20s
Although lines and wrinkles are not usually a concern when you’re in your twenties, Botox® can be used as a preventative measure to help slow the signs of ageing. As we all know, it’s easier to prevent wrinkles, than try and correct them later!
“Treating areas before lines and wrinkles develop, relaxes the active muscles before allowing possible wrinkles to form” explains Michaela Shaw, Caci Training Academy. Fair and sun sensitive skin types are often likely candidates for Botox®, they’re more prone to sun damage and environmental ageing which causes premature wrinkles. Also, if you’re an overly expressive speaker, Botox® will help minimise movement in these highly active areas, to prevent fine lines developing.
In your 30s
During our thirties, collagen and new skin cell production slows, skin becomes thinner and signs of ageing start to appear. Forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet and frown lines are often more pronounced because of constant movement of the skin. If you’ve noticed your makeup creasing and sitting in the fine frown lines then Botox® might be right as it will help smooth out the area and reduce the fine lines that have developed, while also preventing them from getting worse.
In your 40s
In our forties loss of volume and firmness can occur; this is when Botox® and fillers can help rejuvenate the skin, by adding volume, reducing lines, and correcting the signs of aging. Botox® can help soften but may not completely eliminate them. This is when filler can assist by adding volume under the skin to smooth out the canvas and give more youthful appearance. Crow’s feet are one of the most commonly treated areas – reducing the lines around the eyes can make you look more refreshed, more youthful and also make your eyes appear larger.
* This article was brought to you by Caci. To have any specific Botox® questions addressed in absolute confidence, or for more information on the cost of Botox® treatments, visit caci.co.nz to book a free consultation.
