People considering receiving Botox® to reduce the appearance of wrinkles are in good company. In the United States, injections of this substance are among the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures. Due to the health-and-beauty aspect of the treatment, many physicians offer it at medspas. An injection at a medspa may result in a more pleasant experience for the patient.
Uses for Botox®
The medication is derived from a toxic substance produced by a particular species of bacteria. In large amounts, this toxin can cause illness and death. However, when administered in small amounts by a licensed and trained health care provider, it has many beneficial uses.
Cosmetic uses
Because of its ability to reduce wrinkling of the skin, Botox® is primarily considered an anti-aging measure. It works by preventing the muscles of the face from fully contracting. This stops creasing of the delicate skin above.
Eventually, the injection’s effects wear off, and a new injection is required. However, the injections cannot be administered too often. Doctors usually recommend that a patient have a new one every three to four months. Subsequent injections often require lower doses because the muscles become “retrained” not to contract as much as they used to.
Medical uses
The ability of Botox® to impede muscle contraction also makes it an effective medical treatment. It has been used to address conditions like muscle spasms, chronic migraine, lazy eye and overactive bladder.
Side effects
Very few patients who receive Botox® treatment experience side effects. This are usually mild and can include the following:
- Bruising and/or discoloration
- Lumpiness
- Flu-like symptoms
- Headache
- Pain/swelling
Benefits of a medspa
A medspa offers the opportunity to receive cosmetic and/or medical treatment in a tranquil, serene environment. Some patients experience excessive nervousness or anxiety at a doctor’s office, even for a routine checkup or elective procedure. White-coat syndrome is a phenomenon in which a person’s blood pressure rises measurably simply from being inside a doctor’s office. Regardless of the patient’s reasons for receiving treatment, negative effects such as these may be lessened by visiting a doctor’s office that is less clinical in nature.
Choosing the right medspa
Not all medspas are created equal. Before receiving an injection, inquire about the opportunity to ask the physician questions about the treatment with a free consultation. Most specifically, ask if the doctor performs the injection or delegates the responsibility to a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant. Check the answer against the legal requirements in the state of residence.
Other good questions to ask regarding the treatment include the experience level of the practitioner who will administer the injection as well as the risks involved. Ask if there are any before-and-after pictures of patients who have received treatment at the particular facility. Be wary about pricing that seems unusually affordable. It can indicate low quality.
Conclusion
Botox® injection is typically safe, effective and relatively inexpensive. The medspa environment can help you to relax during the procedure. However, there are risks involved, and the doctor should discuss any contraindications with you beforehand.
Are you considering Botox® in the Blue Springs area? Get more information at https://www.coremedcenter.com.