Answers to your Botox Questions

WHAT IS BOTOX?

Botox, originating from the word botulinum toxin is a trade name for a cosmetic non-surgical treatment that is normally injected on the face or neck to reduce facial wrinkles. Botulinum toxin used in the treatment is produced by a bacterium known as Clostridium botulinum. Body by Bloch owned by Dr. Bloch is among the many Botox Chicago facilities where you can get the treatment. Botox is among the many treatments used in facial rejuvenation if you have crow’s feet, frown lines, forehead furrows or skin bands around you neck. Botox can be injected from a qualified medical profession’s office. You can actually go home in the same day of treatment as the painless procedure lasts for less than five minutes.

"QUESTIONS TO ASK MY PLASTIC SURGEON

• Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
• Were you specifically trained in the field of plastic surgery?
• Is the office-based surgical facility accredited by a nationally- or state-recognized accrediting agency, or is it state-licensed or Medicare-certified?
• Am I a good candidate for Botulinum Toxin?
• What will be expected of me to get the best results?
• Who will perform the Botulinum Toxin injections?
• Have they been specifically trained in this procedure?
• Where and how will you perform my procedure or treatment?
• How long of a recovery period can I expect?
• What are the risks and possible complications associated with my procedure?
• How can I expect to look over time?
• Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for this procedure

• What results are reasonable for me?

Before Botox treatment

When going for a Botox treatment, you should ensure your safety by giving your doctor important information. Such would include diseases and conditions you suffer from like heart ailments, myasthenia gravis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Other situations that you should inform your doctor include bleeding problems, swallowing difficulties, breathing disorders such as emphysema or asthma among others. Situations like previous Botox injections, facial surgeries or facial muscle weakness seen in droopy eyelids and weak face should also be reported before receiving Botox injection. This information will help your Botox Chicago medical profession make a decision on whether or not you should be given Botox injection to avoid complications after the treatment.

"How Botox Works

The medical term for the action of Botox is selective muscle denervation. Normally, to make a muscle contract, a nerve sends a signal to the muscle. The point where the nerve and the muscle meet is called the neuromuscular junction. When the signal gets to the neuromuscular junction a chemical called acetylcholine is released from the nerve side of the junction and binds to the muscle side of the junction causing more chemical reactions that make the muscle contract.

Botox works by blocking the acetylcholine receptors on the muscle side of the junction. Then when the nerve sends a signal to the muscle to contract, acetylcholine is released as before, but it can’t bind anywhere on the muscle. The muscle has no idea it is supposed to contract. It is essentially paralyzed, but not because it or the nerve have been damaged.

This acetylcholine blockade is not reversible and begins within 48 hours. The clinical effects of a Botox injection become noticeable between 5-10 days. Over the next 3-5 months the muscle gradually develops new receptor sites and is able to contract again.

After Botox treatment

Botox results are not permanent. Previous symptoms like wrinkles may return after 3 months. Repeat injections on the same treatment will however reduce the reappearance of the aging signs as the body will get used to the botulinum toxin. Stick to your original medical professor when getting the next Botox treatment. Switching to different healthcare providers anytime you want to receive the anti aging treatment will put you to risk as the new doctor has little information about your medical history. It is good to follow your doctor’s advice anytime you receive Botox injection. Using Botox more than necessary may lead to serious health effects.

Call us at 847-432-0840 to book a consultation or go to www.bodybybloch.com