Botox - Who is a Good Candidate?

Botox is one of the many non-surgical face lift options that is popular today among those who wish to avoid the wrinkles, frown lines, and smile lines that come with age. It's ideal for individuals between 18 and 65 years of age. The ingredient used is a protein which is derived from botulism toxin. Once inserted below the skin, this ingredient causes the muscles of the skin to relax, smoothing out the wrinkles caused by these perpetually tense muscles. The injections work for a temporary time, typically four to six months, until the medication is depleted from the muscles and they begin to tense again. For those who wish to avoid the staggering expense and lengthy recovery time from plastic surgery, this treatment may be the perfect solution to resolving those unwanted lines and wrinkles. Any individual who is in naturally good health and wants to get rid of unwanted facial wrinkles is generally a good candidate for Botox injections, though the ideal years for treatment are anytime between ages 18 and 65. And while no evidence has been found showing this treatment to harm an unborn baby, it's not recommended for pregnant women or for those who are currently breastfeeding their newborn baby. Once pregnancy and breastfeeding are complete, the candidate may once again look into getting the procedure done. This may pose a potential problem for those who wish to maintain their treatment on a regular basis to avoid wrinkles returning. Wrinkle treatment with Botox is not right for every individual. Certain conditions or medications may cause adverse reactions to this drug, forcing the individual to seek other options for wrinkle reduction, such as plastic surgery or topical treatment methods. If the candidate has an infection near the injection site, it's best to wait for the infection to resolve before treatment is pursued. The slight risk of infection from treatment is greatly increased when an infection is already present. Some individuals have allergic reactions to the ingredients within this type of treatment. For those who may be allergic, a separate test is conducted before treatment is scheduled to determine if the candidate's body is able to handle the injection. In addition to natural allergies, serious side effects can result when this type of treatment is mixed with certain types of prescription medication. For instance, antibiotics like Gentamicin, Clindamycin, Tobramycin, and Lincomycin cause adverse reactions when combined with Botox injections. It's always best to bring any prescription medication, whether permanent or temporary, to your consultation appointment. Finally, those with neuromuscular diseases do not respond well to this type of treatment. In fact, those with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease), Myasthenia Gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome are highly likely to develop cardiovascular issues as a result of these treatments. Patients with these and other muscular disorders will definitely want to seek the advice of both their attending physician and a highly-experienced Botox specialist before considering this type of treatment.