AESTHETIC SERVICES

Botox

Botox (Botulinum Toxin type A) has been approved since 1989 to treat a variety of medical conditions involving muscular spasm or twitches. It was originally used on humans in the 1970’s by ophthalmologists in the form “oculinum” for the treatment of crossed eyes. More recently, the use botulinum toxin has been used by ophthalmologists to treat a disabling eyelid condition called blepharospasm as well as other eyelid and eye conditions. Since then, botox has been used by physicians to treat patients with crippling muscle spasms, sweating under the armpits, and is being considered for FDA approval against migraines and back spasms.

Though botox has been used over the past decade by Plastic surgeons, Ophthalmologists and Dermatologists for the treatment of facial wrinkles. (It has become the anti-aging serum of the new millennium, though it has only recently been FDA approved for marketing for cosmetic purposes.)

Botulinum toxin is a toxic byproduct of a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum, that can be found as a contaminate in improperly processed canned food. Botulinum blocks achetylcholine, a chemical that transmits nerve signals to muscles to move. High doses of botulinum and its neurotoxin result in paralysis of muscles and can even be fatal.

For therapeutic use, the toxin is purified and largely diluted. Though some people are hesitant to receive a poison toxin, lethal doses are hundreds of thousands of units greater than a typical cosmetic injection dose.

Botox treatment for wrinkles is a relatively painless procedure as small amounts are injected with a small needle under the skin into the muscles controlling facial expression. Movement of these facial mucles are responsible for dynamic wrinkles, causing frown lines between the eyebrows, horizontal wrinkles across the forehead, and crow’s feet at the corners of the eye. Treatment of these dynamic wrinkles with botox has also had a benefit to reduce or soften static lines (lines present at rest) as well. The effects of botox usually lasts 3-4 months.

The majority of people using botox are women. Men account for only 12% of sales, although this is a growing market. Though infrequent, there are few side effects of botox, including drooping of the eyelids or eyebrows, loss of muscle function around the mouth causing drooling or drooping of the side of the lip. People using high doses of botox for large muscle spasms, etc., have been reported to develop antibodies to the toxin, thus reducing its effectiveness. However, other types of botulinum toxin are becoming available.

For more information on this topic, visit BotoxCosmetic.com