Facial Injections: Info, Prices, Photos, Reviews, Q&A

Botox works by causing paralysis of the facial muscles. This works in two ways.

First, it causes the muscles of the face to not contract and softens the appearance of static wrinkles.

Secondly, it prevents the formation of new wrinkles by lessening the pull of the muscles on the skin (dynamic wrinkles).

Botox achieves its full effect by 2 weeks post injection and lasts for 3 – 4 months. After a regular schedule of injections the effect will appear sooner and last longer. (Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD, Houston Plastic Surgeon)

Botox and how it works

Think of this product as a temporary roadblock. When Botox is injected into a muscle it is taken up into the nerve that activates the muscle.

When the brain signals the muscle to contract, such as a frown, the message is never received and the muscle stays relaxed.

BT Also Blocks Efferent Autonomic Fibres To Smooth Muscles And To Exocrine Glands

This leads to a softening of the overlying skin and reduction of existing wrinkles or prevention of a wrinkle from ever forming! (Lori Stetler, MD, Dallas Dermatologic Surgeon)

Botox works by inhibiting muscle contracture

On our faces we have both dynamic and static wrinkles. Static wrinkles are ones that are present when we are not making a facial expression.

These are present when our faces are totally relaxed. In contrast, dynamic wrinkles are present when we are contracting our facial muscles.

These include “frown lines” and “smile lines”. Botox works by preventing the muscles that cause these wrinkles from contracting. (Sanjiv Kayastha, MD, Albany Plastic Surgeon)

How Botox affects wrinkles

Botox does not act directly on the skin wrinkles but rather muscles of facial expression which cause the wrinkles. Botox temporarily blocks nerves from communicating with the muscle resulting in relaxation. Muscles have a resting tone, which means that even when they’re not activated there is some level of tightness at rest.

Botulinum Toxin Type A Is The Important Active Ingredient

When the muscles maximally relax with Botox, the overlying skin smooths out resulting in less prominent wrinkles. (Michael Baroody, MD, Danbury Plastic Surgeon)

How Botox works

Botox is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Botulinum. A neurotoxin is a chemical which inhibits the function of a nerve. When your brain stimulates a muscle to move, it does so by having the nerve at that muscle release a chemical called acetylcholine.

This chemical attaches to the muscle and the muscle then moves. Over time, the movement of the muscle can cause wrinkles in the skin overlying that muscle. What botox does is block the release of acetylcholine.

When the nerve doesn’t release acetylcholine, the muscle does not move. Over time, the wrinkles in the skin can go away because the muscle that caused them in the first place cannot move. Botox usually takes 3-7 days to take effect after administration and lasts for about 6 months. (David Bogue, MD, Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon)

Mechanisms Of Action Of Botulinum Toxin

Botox works very well

It seems odd that the toxin molecule that causes botulism poisoning would become the active ingredient in the most popular cosmetic medical product, but there we are. Botox has been in use for 20 years, with millions of injections done, and the safety record is remarkably good.

Simply put, it works by disrupting the communication between nerves and muscles at a microscopic level within the muscle, causing it to relax for about 3-4 months. So wrinkles caused by hyperactive muscles (such as the “corrugators” which produce the vertivcal worry lines between the eyebrows) respond extremely well to Botox and Dysport. (Richard Baxter, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)

Botox is a neuromodulator

Botox is a neuromodulator. Another similar medication is dysport. Both of these neuromodulators work on the muscles that account for certain facial expressions and wrinkles. When specific muscles are targeted with neuromodulator therapy (with Botox) then specific results can be obtained.

Reduce Muscle Activity

These results include temporarily lessening of prominent facial wrinkles. (Steven Hacker, MD, West Palm Beach Dermatologic Surgeon)

Botox and Dyport work by relaxing muscles

Botox and Dysport are both medical grade purified botulinum toxins approved by the FDA for treatment of wrinkle lines on forehead.

They work by relaxing muscles via blocking the neuromuscular junction where the involuntary and volitional muscle contractions may be minimized thereby reducing visible wrinke lines when injected by a skilled board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon. (William Ting, MD, Bay Area Dermatologic Surgeon)

Botox is a toxin that binds to specific receptors on muscle fibers to prevent other chemicals to activate the muscle fibers tao that they can not contract. In other words, Botox paralyzes or weakens certain muscles to prevent some wrinkles. (Steven Wallach, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)

Therapeutic Use Of Botulinum Toxin

Botox relaxes muscles that cause wrinkles.

1) Botox relaxes muscles of the face and neck. The relaxed muscles are then not able to cause forehead lines, frown lines, and crows feet.
2) Selective muscle relaxation can also improve facial shape, such as by lifting eyebrows and lifting the corners of the mouth. (George J. Beraka, MD (retired), Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)

How Botox Cosmetic works

Botox will weaken / paralyze a tiny area of the muscle it is placed in. If it is done under facial expression muscles whose over-activity produces the skin wrinkles, the muscle will not be able to produce such wrinkles for 4-6 months and the skin becomes smooth. (Peter A. Aldea, MD, Memphis Plastic Surgeon)

Botox (Botulinum Toxin A) is a neurotoxin that causes muscle relaxation. Muscles contract using a neurotransmitter that is blocked when Botox is injected. When the neurotransmitter is blocked by Botox, the muscle can no longer contract.

After Botox injections the creases and wrinkles in the face caused by muscle contraction smooth out. (Harold J. Kaplan, MD, Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon)

Mechanism action of Botox

Botox is the proprietary name for Botulinum Serotype A. The toxin works by irreversibly inhibiting Acetylcholine release at the neural synapse. Remaining Acetylcholine in the synapse is left over for three to five days and the effects of Botox will take effect once this Ach is used up. (Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)

Temporarily Weakens Muscles

Botox works by blocking the release of a neurotransmitter called Acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is found throughout the body. By preventing the release of this neurotransmitter, the muscle can not be stimulated, preventing the muscle from contracting.

The effects of Botox are temporary. In patients with facial nerve paralysis, the portion of the face that does not move is often smoother and wrinkle free. Proper application of botox will lead to preservation of facial movement while softening lines. (Anil R. Shah, MD, Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon)