​How Botulinum Toxin Works

The specific toxin is produced by a type of bacteria which is poisonous when used in higher amounts. For reducing facial wrinkles only a small amount of Botulinum toxin is used.

When it is injected on the skin, it halts the muscle from contracting by blocking a specific nerve signal. A single dosage is effective up to 6 months. Before applying botulinum toxin, the skin is numbed using anesthetic cream. Botulinum toxin is then injected on facial muscles. The process only takes a couple of minutes and is done in a doctor's lab and you can carry out your daily activities unhindered. You can see a difference within 3-7 days as the face wrinkles start disappearing.

However there are some instructions which must be kept in mind: one must be above 18 years of age and also healthy to get the toxin injected. People who have neuromuscular disease, who have weakness in facial muscles, who have ptosis, who have thick facial skin and facial scars, who are pregnant and other skin problems must not use this injection.

Before getting botulinum toxin injections, speak about all the prescription medicines and herbal supplements that you are having, as it can cause side effects. Some of the side effects are: eye redness, irritation, tearing, headache, bruising on injected area etc. have consultation with your doctor whether you should stop taking medicines for some days.

Ptosis is a serious eye condition which is caused because of botulinum toxin usage for some people. But it goes away on its own when the botulinum toxin wears on its own within some months. Eye drops are also recommended by the doctor to reduce the possibility of having any side effects.

After the procedure is complete, the doctor says the patient to sit in upright position and not to touch the injected area for some hours. One should not also do any exercise for 24-48 hours post procedure.