How do Botox injections work?
When Botox
is injected into specific muscles in tiny amounts it prevents a neurotransmitter (a chemical messenger) known as acetylcholine from coming out of local nerve cells. The Acetylcholine is normally used to transmit nerve impulses to muscle cells. When the acetylcholine is blocked the nerve cannot send it's signal, which results in a relaxed muscle.
Therefore when you laugh or try to frown the skin does not wrinkle while the untreated facial muscles beneath the skin can work normally meaning your facial expressions are not affected. Since it's introduction for cosmetic use Botox has shown a remarkable ability to reduce wrinkles on areas such as around the eyes, forehead and frown lines. Botox has proven to be much more effective than other injectables such as collagen.
How long do the effects last?
You should observe a reduction in wrinkles within 3-10 days and the effect should last from 3 to 6 months. When the effect wears off you can repeat the treatment for a prolonged wrinkle reduced time.
What happens during the procedure?
The practioner will clean the skin around the area to be treated and then very small amounts of Botox will be injected into the skin. Obviously the number of injections you have will depend on the facial area you requested to be treated. The injection treatment will usually take about 30 minutes and is undertaken without anaesthetic. However generally there is little pain felt but you may have some slight redness at the needle entry points in the skin. After the Botox has been injected the doctor or nurse should advise you not to rub the area that has been treated for 24 hours. You can leave immediately after the Botox treatment and carry on with your normal life.
What are the risks of using Botox?
It is very hard to predict exactly how having Botox will affect your facial muscles. The risks are reduced by using an experienced medical practioner. However very occasionally some patients who have had injections in the forehead have a slight drooping of the eyelids or eyebrows. This droopiness will disappear when the effects of the Botox wear off. Very rarely patients can experience double vision or blurred vision. You should seek immediate medical attention if this happens to you.
What other applications can Botox injections be used for?
* blepharospasm (eyelid twitching or spasm)
* cervical dystonia (a form of neck muscle spasm)
* muscle spasticity as a result of cerebral palsy
* strabismus (where the eyes are not properly aligned)
* facial or other localised muscle spasms
Botox can also be used to control excessive sweating by injecting directly into the sweat glands.
Where can I get it in Australia?
Botox is only available in Australia on prescription from a doctor, and should always be given by a trained medical professional who has experience of the correct technique.
How much do Botox injections cost?
In Australia Botox costs approximately $300 - $750 per session.
Are their any wrinkle creams that offer an alternative to Botox?
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A new face cream that has been labelled by some as the "facelift in a jar" is now available. The Athena 7 Minute Lift claims to be the first cosmetic cream offering an injection-free and painless alternative to Botox. Independent tests by the American Medical Association reported that the cream reduced the appearance of facial creases by 84 per cent. See for yourself by clicking the link below. |
 Athena 7 Minute Lift is the hottest wrinkle reducer on the market. It is the only product that has been clinically proven to reduce lines and wrinkles by an average of 83.72%. See for yourself why stores can't even keep this product in stock!
It costs $95 AUD for a 15ml tub compared to $400 for a typical Botox procedure. The manufacturer claims it take just seven minutes to take effect. Although the cream lasts only 24 hours, daily use is claimed to permanently reduce wrinkles and signs of ageing.
When the 7 Minute Lift initially went on sale in the UK it sold out within a week.
As it is meant to be used in only very small quantities, the 7 Minute Lift is said to last for up to three months - or 90 applications.
How does Athena 7 minute lift claim to work?
The
 Wrinkle Cream
active ingredient is acetyl hexapeptide-3, which is said to reduce facial wrinkles. Acetyl Hexapeptide-3 is a mimic of the N-terminal end of SNAP-25, one of three proteins (known as the SNARE complex) that are essential for neurotransmitter release at the synapsis, which is the chemical signal for a muscle to contract. Basically like Botox it prevents the release of the neurotransmitter from the nerve to the muscle resulting in a relaxed muscle.
My only concern with an applied cream is that you will be applying the cream to a large area whereas Botox can be injected accurately into every area that requires the removal of wrinkles. However for those of us who are put off by needles it may just be the answer.
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