Botox - What is it? — Cool Dental in Lethbridge, AB

What is BOTOX®?

At Cool Dental in Lethbridge, we offer BOTOX® cosmetic services to minimize the appearance of unwanted fine lines.

Botox is a protein that comes from the bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. It’s a toxin, but when used properly and in small doses, it can serve various medical and cosmetic purposes.

How Do BOTOX® Injections Work?

BOTOX® injections target the nervous system. They block nerve signals to the muscles, causing the muscles to relax and stop contracting. The muscles soften and become less stiff, which then reduces unwanted fine lines and creases.

Are BOTOX® Injections Safe?

BOTOX® injections are safe and have been performed for many years. This procedure uses only a minute amount and targeted doses of Botulinum Toxin. BOTOX® can come with some side effects, but these cases aren’t common.

You may notice bruising in the area and also experience headaches. There may also be mild pain and swelling. Very few patients report developing a drooping eyelid, which also goes away within three weeks. This can happen when you rub the area after receiving the injection.

Other side effects include headaches, flu-like symptoms, and an upset stomach. It’s important to consult with your trusted dentist in Lethbridge first to know what you can expect before signing up for the treatment.

Uses of BOTOX® Injections

BOTOX® Injections are used primarily to help diminish unwanted facial lines. They’re a popular cosmetic procedure and here are some of their benefits:

Reduces wrinkles around the eyes
Minimizes fine lines in the forehead
Relaxes wrinkles at the sides of the mouth

BOTOX can also be used to help treat certain medical conditions:

Eyelid spasms
Crossed eyes
Excessive sweating
Chronic migraines

How the Procedure Works

Getting BOTOX doesn’t require the use of anesthesia. Your appointment can be completed within 15 minutes. We use an ultra-fine needle to direct the injection to the issue. While the procedure itself quick, it can take up to 7 days to see the full effects of the treatment.

How long do BOTOX® effects last?

BOTOX® injections aren’t permanent. They can last from 3-12 months, depending on the treatment you’ve received. You may consider getting re-treated once you see the fine lines appearing again. However, over time, the wrinkles and fine lines may no longer be as severe as before as the BOTOX® injections help train the muscles to relax.

Some Do’s and Dont’s After Receiving BOTOX® Injections

Do exercise the treated area for 1-2 hours after receiving injections.
Do stay upright for at least 2 hours after the treatment to avoid dispersing the injection.
Do visit us again after two weeks for your follow up appointment.
Don’t engage in strenuous physical activities.
Don’t rub or apply pressure to the injected area.
Don’t put makeup on the area to avoid infections.