Botulinum toxin, commonly known as Botox, is a medication that weakens muscle contractions that cause wrinkles.
Botox temporarily reduces wrinkles:
- Between the eyebrows
- In the forehead
- On both sides of the eyes
- around the mouth
How does Botox work?
Vials of Botox contain three standard trimmings: botulinum poison type A, human egg whites, and sodium chloride. The powerful fixing, which has the best effect, is botulinum poison A.
When injected into a muscle, Botox blocks the nerve impulses that cause a specific muscle to contract. The muscle can’t move, and this lessens the presence of kinks.
Botox can lessen kinks in region of the face that move. Doctors usually use it on the frown lines between the eyebrows, called glabellar lines, as well as on the lines in the forehead, and crow’s feet on either side of the eyes.
Botox is not a permanent solution to wrinkles. Within 3-6 months, the nerve impulses will cease to be obstructed, and the muscles will begin to contract. A person will need more injections to maintain results.
Botox has also emerged as a treatment for a number of medical conditions, from migraine headaches to overactive bladder.
How effective is Botox under the eyes?
Botox injections to treat bags or dark circles under the eyes are considered an off-label use in the United States, and have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
For this reason, researchers have conducted few studies on this use, and doctors are not sure how effective it is.
One study from 2003 sought to determine if Botox injections under and around the eyes could reduce the appearance of wrinkles in these areas. Nineteen female participants received injections. Those who had it in their lower eyelids and the crow’s feet area were more likely to report positive results than those who received injections only in their lower eyelids.
These findings suggest that Botox injections can make the lower eyelid appear fuller and plumper, helping to reduce wrinkles and puffiness.
The researchers also measured the effects of varying amounts of Botox on the lower eyelid. Patients experienced the strongest results when receiving 8 units of Botox, but they also had severe side effects.
There is very little other research currently on under-eye Botox injections.
Cost
The person receiving Botox not only pays for the medication, but also for the person performing the procedure’s time, office space, and other materials used.
According to the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the average price for Botox injections ranges from $200 to $1,400 in the United States, and the price also vary, depending on where the clinic is located.
Anyone can ask for a price estimate before ordering a Botox injection. The provider should also be able to give a reasonable estimate of how to use Botox and how long the injections will take.
Side effects
Because the US Food and Drug Administration have not approved under-eye Botox injections, there is no complete body of research on the safety of this use.
The area is sensitive, and the risks of Botox injections around the eyes include:
- Difficulty closing the eyes
- drooping eye
- numbness in the eye
- lower eyelid swelling
Here are some of the other known side effects of Botox:
- bleeding
- bruising
- Dizziness
- fainting
- Pain at the injection site
- redness
People with certain chronic diseases should not receive Botox injections. These conditions include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, as well as myasthenia gravis and related Lambert-Eaton syndrome.
Alternatives
Home remedies and other injectable medications can be alternatives to Botox under the eyes.
It is important to consider the desired effect. For example, techniques that reduce under-eye wrinkles can be very different from those that lighten dark circles.
First, a person should examine their daily habits to determine if they contribute to the appearance of puffiness and wrinkles under the eyes.
The following strategies may help:
- Get enough sleep, which is generally estimated to be 7 or 8 hours per night
- Treating sensitivities to pollen that cause puffy eyes with over-the-counter drugs, like allergy meds
- quit smoking
- Avoid excess sodium in the diet, which can cause the body to retain water, leading to fluid buildup and swollen skin.
- Sleeping with the head slightly elevated to prevent fluid buildup under the eyes
- Refrain from excessive exposure to the sun and always use sunscreen in sunny weather
Some cosmetics can help soften and smooth the skin under the eyes. For example, if eye puffiness is a concern, a person might try using an eye cream that contains caffeine. Manufacturers add caffeine because it can help tighten the skin and reduce puffiness. If dark circles are a concern, creams designed specifically for the under-eye area may help.
Certain People use fillers to add volume to the under-eye region. This involves injecting substances that can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and dark shadows on the face.
Laser treatment is another option. These treatments stimulate the growth of collagen in the skin, which makes it appear tighter. However, laser treatments can be expensive, often costing thousands of dollars per session.