People have been chasing after the proverbial fountain of youth for ages, seeking to reverse the flow of time, at least insofar as their appearances are concerned. Seeing one’s self age gradually, watching skin sag and lines form, is a miserable process. Anyone would love to get his or her hands on almost anything that would diminish the effects of added years. Cosmetic surgery has thus advanced at a significant pace, inventing and developing a myriad of techniques and methods that can restore a person’s youth. A lot of these procedures, however, are very invasive, not for the risk averse, and may require a lengthy recovery period. There many individuals who are not willing to go under the knife for their looks. As such, an alternative solution has emerged, that has since become the most popular non-surgical enhancement technique anywhere – Botox.

When Botulinum Toxin Type A, a lethal poison, is sterilized and purified, you get Botox. People were hesitant to try this treatment when it first came out due to its highly deadly source. Since Botox’s approval in 2002 by the United States Food and Drug Administration, however, millions have opted for the injection to decrease frown lines. One can also use Botox for wrinkles in areas of the face other than the eyes, but this has not been FDA approved. Despite the high toxicity of Botulinum, there have been no reports of serious complications from cosmetic Botox use.

Compared to other forms of plastic surgery, many healthy people find that they are good candidates for Botox treatment. Still, a routine consultation will be necessary since there may be some things in one’s medical past that may cause complications. Patients aged 18 to 65 will mostly be considered good candidates. It is not recommended however, for pregnant women or breast feeding women, people with infections, and people with neuromuscular disorders. If you are under any medication, this should also be mentioned to your doctor.

When Botox is injected in the necessary areas, it blocks nerve transmissions so that muscles can relax. Before the injection, the doctor will make you move certain areas on your brow to determine which muscles are being used. This will vary among individuals and is necessary for the doctor to know where to put the injections. No anesthetia is required but some doctors will opt for a local anesthetic to ensure a pleasant experience. The whole treatment will last 10 minutes and the effects will be felt immediately. Improvements will be seen on your face after three to seven days and may continue for a month. The effects of Botox may last for three to four months, though sometimes up to six months, after which another treatment will be required. After continued use, one may reduce the frequency of treatments to every six months. This is due to the thinning of muscles in the face.