You have probably heard something about Botox injections if you are more or less related to the sphere of aesthetic medicine. Indeed, they belong to the most popular cosmetic procedures worldwide.
Injections of Botox are used for a great number of aesthetic purposes. However, are they effective in treating under-eye bags? Well, let us find an answer to this question together right away.
Botox treatment might be used for both medical and aesthetic purposes. The below-mentioned article, however, will primarily deal with Botox as a cosmetic treatment.
What Is Botox?
Botox is a brand of muscle-relaxing cosmetic injectables that is manufactured by Allergan, a global pharmaceutical company. It is famous for its great quality, safety, and natural-looking results.
The main active component in the composition of Botox is botulinum toxin (type A). It is a dangerous but, at the same time, useful substance that is produced by the bacterium of Clostridium botulinum.
On the one hand, the toxin might serve as a cause of a potentially fatal disease called botulism. On the other hand, however, the muscle-relaxing qualities of the substance might be used for a variety of purposes.
How Does Botox Work?
The working principle of Botox treatments is based on muscle relaxation. Here is what it looks like:
- Firstly, the product is intramuscularly administered into a patient’s body;
- Secondly, it starts to block nerve signals that are attached to muscles in the treatment area;
- Finally, the affected facial muscles relax.
It is essential to mention that Botox provides a patient with a long-lasting but nevertheless non-permanent result. Depending on a patient’s individual health condition, it might last from two to six months.
Please note: A patient might substantially prolong the result of the Botox injection by means of undergoing periodical touch-up treatments. As well the avoidance of direct sun exposure might also make the effect of the treatment last longer.
According to its treatment protocol, Botox should be administered exclusively by board-certified healthcare providers (for instance, licensed dermatologists, cosmetologists, or plastic surgeons).
Is Botox Safe?
Botox is considered to be an exceptionally safe and minimally invasive treatment that has been approved by FDA. Most patients claim that it does not require any downtime and, therefore, serves as a solid alternative to plastic surgery.
At the same, however, the administration of the product might lead to one of the following side effects:
- Dry eyes;
- Blurry vision;
- Nausea;
- Headache;
- Pain;
- Skin irritation around the target area;
- And so on.
Luckily, these symptoms tend to disappear on their own within two weeks after the injection. Both younger and older patients do not usually need any medical help when having these side effects after the procedure.
Do Injections of Botox Have Any Contraindications?
Despite their high safety, injections of Botox should not be used under one of the following circumstances:
- If a patient has an allergy or hypersensitivity to any component of the product (first and foremost, botulinum toxin);
- If a patient undergoes any incompatible with Botox procedures (for instance, chemical peels or laser treatments);
- If a patient is pregnant or breastfeeding;
- And so on.
Due to the fact that the above-mentioned contraindications to the injection of Botox might vary depending on each individual situation, it is a task of a healthcare practitioner to define whether a patient is a good candidate for the procedure.
What Are Botox Injections Used for?
Botox injections are oftentimes used for both medical and aesthetic purposes related to muscle contractions, for instance:
- Among the main medical problems treated by Botox are muscle spasms, neck pain, improper eye alignment, overactive bladder, excessive underarm sweating, or chronic migraine;
- The primary aesthetic problems oftentimes addressed with the help of Botox are dynamic wrinkles (for instance, crow’s feet, nasolabial folds, or frown lines).
Please note: While Botox is typically injected to take care of dynamic wrinkles, a hyaluronic acid filler is just the right treatment to take care of static wrinkles. Thus, Belotero, Juvederm, Restylane, and other hyaluronic acid fillers might function as a solid alternative to Botox in some cases.
Apart from treating dynamic facial wrinkles, injections of Botox might also be used to augment lips with the help of a lip flip and, therefore, serve as an alternative to the administration of dermal fillers for lip enhancement.
Is Botox Effective for Under-Eye Bags?
Despite the fact that Botox is used to profoundly enhance the appearance of a patient’s face, it should not be injected in order to treat under-eye bags (or, as they are also called, puffy eyelids). Moreover, the product is not applicable to take care of dark circles around the eyes (or the so-called dark under-eye circles).
The main reason why Botox is not effective when it comes to the reduction of under-eye hollows or puffy eyes is pretty simple – the product is not intended for the under-eye area. Moreover, even a very low dose of the toxin might be dangerous to inject into the tear-trough or lower eyelid zones of the face.
Please note: If a patient wants to get rid of dark circles or bags around the eyes, the administration of hyaluronic-acid-based injectable fillers might be a reasonable solution. Almost any under-eye filler available on the market these days will not only smooth under-eye wrinkles and fine lines but also treat dark circles and bags in this area.
Therefore, a patient is preferable to undergo plastic surgery, use a special under-eye cream, have enough sleep, or ask a healthcare practitioner to inject a dermal filler into the periorbital zone with the aim of reducing wrinkles, dark circles, or bags in this area.
Final Words
All in all, many patients claim that Botox is a great product to enhance their overall appearance. At the same time, however, it is not suitable to treat under-eye bags (also called puffy eyes). So, make sure to use Botox appropriately and improve your facial features in a safe way! Due to the fact that the product is intended for professional use, only licensed healthcare providers might buy Botox (wholesale and retail) online.