Over the years, the name Botox has come to mean many things for different people. It is most commonly used to describe a cosmetic alternative to plastic surgeries for the removal of wrinkles. The use of these injections is also a treatment method for a variety of medical conditions including excessive sweating in the armpits, uncontrollable muscle spasms and twitching, migraine headaches and chronic pain that is the result of extremely tense muscles. Botox is the most common name for a drug that, in small, measured doses, causes an enforced and controlled weakening in the muscles. This allows the muscles to relax, effectively preventing the formation of wrinkles and erasing the existing wrinkles.

There are a variety of reasons to choose these injection treatments instead of other forms of treatment for both medical and cosmetic procedures. Some of the most important reasons include the ease of treatment, the rapid and smooth recovery process, and the financial benefits of the injection treatments.

Using the Botox medication to treat any of the previously mentioned medical conditions usually entails just a simple injection or series of injections in the targeted area. The same method is used to treat the wrinkles that appear on the forehead and around the eyes and the mouth. This procedure can generally be done in one appointment that is scheduled at the doctor’s office. There is no need to schedule extra time at a hospital or other facility. Surgery will require a much longer amount of time.

Because the treatment procedure does not involve any cutting into the skin, the amount of pain and discomfort is minimal. Some people may prepare for the injections with an ice pack or by asking for a topical anesthetic, but these steps are often unnecessary. The person receiving the treatment can schedule their appointment during the day and plan to return to their normal activities for the rest of the day. Doctors may recommend some remedies if any redness or bruising appears after the injection treatments. Compare that to the recovery from surgery or laser treatments.

Because Botox treatments take less time and are less invasive than other procedures, the costs of the treatments are much less expensive than surgeries and other forms of cosmetic procedures. The costs of work time off are also much less than more invasive procedures. If the amount of pain and suffering is counted into the costs of the process, then the drug injections are much, much less costly than any of the other options. Topical creams may appear less expensive on the surface, but rarely provide the effects that the injections offer.

Author's Bio: 

Peter Morgan is a health writer for Hylagen, a part of Botox Belfast and Botox Dublin.