The Best Botox® in Virginia Beach

How Does Botox Work?

Botox® is derived from botulinum toxin type-A. These are the same bacteria that can cause botulism, but these bacteria have been used in medicine since the 1950s. Scientists discovered that when botulinum toxin was injected in tiny amounts into a muscle, it temporarily stopped the muscle from contracting.  The FDA first approved Botox® for treating involuntary eyelid spasms, though its benefits have been approved for treating temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), excessive underarm sweating, involuntary eyelid spasms, and even migraines. Botox® was approved for cosmetic use in treating lines and wrinkles on the upper third of the face in 2002, and every year since, Botox® injections have become the most popular cosmetic procedure, both surgical and nonsurgical, around the world.

​When Botox® is injected into a muscle, it blocks the nerve messenger acetylcholine, from delivering the contraction message to the muscle. The muscle never receives the signal, so it remains at rest.

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On the expressive upper third of the face, we constantly engage the muscles around our eyes, between the brows, and on the forehead when we make expressions such frowning or showing surprise. Over time, facial muscles make hundreds of thousands of these contractions, and our skin gradually gets thinner. This thinning allows wrinkles and lines to form on the surface of the skin above the muscle. These are glabellar lines (the 11s) between our eyebrows, lines our foreheads, and crow’s feet between our eyes and temples. These common areas have what are known as “dynamic wrinkles.” When Botox® is injected into the underlying muscle supporting any of these wrinkles, it prevents the muscle from contracting, and the wrinkle on the surface skin are effectively erased.

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Do Botox® Injections Hurt?
Botox® is injected with a very fine needle, and it is not inserted to a great depth. Most people equate the feeling of these injections to that of a pinprick, and they don't feel the need to request any topical numbing cream. However, we always have topical numbing cream available upon request.

How Long Do Botox® Injections Take?
Botox® injections take just 10-15 minutes from start to finish.
Afterwards, you can go right back to work or resume other normal activities.

When Can I Expect to See My Wrinkles Go Away After Botox®?
Botox® isn’t like other dermal fillers that immediately fill in the wrinkles. Botox® must systematically get to work blocking nerve messages, so the effects are gradual. It usually takes an average of ten days to fully take effect. Afterwards, Botox® will keep the muscle relaxed and the wrinkles remain gone for about three to four months. Depending on your metabolism, your body will eventually absorb the Botox® and the muscles will begin to contract again, and the wrinkles will slowly return. Another Botox® session will maintain your results.

What Are the Side Effects with Botox®?

Botox® has been injected millions of times around the globe, and has proven to be an effective and very popular treatment to erase the signs of aging skin. The most common side effects are slight redness, swelling, and possible itching at the injection sites. This will resolve in just a few hours. Occasionally, patients may develop a slight headache for a few hours after their Botox® session, but this also passes within a few hours.

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Preparing for a Botox® Session

There is no preparation necessary for these 10-15 minute appointments. It is important, however, that you do not rub your injection sites for 24 hours after Botox has been injected. This could potentially force the Botox® into an unwanted muscle.