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What is Botox?
Botox is a Trade Mark for a medication based on the neurotoxic protein, called Botulinum toxin, produced by the bacteria Clostridium Botulinum, it is the most toxic protein known to men. But, it can be medically used in minuscule doses to treat muscle spasms. Now a days it is also sold commercially and used for cosmetic treatment.
How does Botox work?
Botox injection is now widely used in cosmetic surgery to treat wrinkles and frown lines. It works by injecting a minute amount of botulinum toxin type A into the skin to relax the muscles and eliminate fixed expression lines.
When Botulinum toxin is applied into the muscle it decreases muscle activity as it blocks the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction of the motor neuron. Therefore inhibiting the neuron signal transmission between the nervous system and the muscle, preventing the muscle from contracting for a period of 3 to 4 months.
Although Botulinum toxin is deadly poisonous, it is widely used in the cosmetic industry at minuscule doses in a purified and isolated form with a very low degree of toxicity.
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The qualifications required to perform Botox injections vary from country to country, and can include dermatologists, plastic surgeons, cosmetic physicians, nurses practitioners, nurses, physician assistants and some medical spas.
Apart from its cosmetic treatment, Botulinum toxin is also used to treat other medical conditions including:
- Cervical Dystonia – neuromuscular disorder involving the head and neck
- Blepharospasm – excessive blinking
- Axillary hyperhidrosis – excessive sweating
- Achalasia – failure of the lower oesophageal sphincter to relax
- Chronic focal painful neuropathies
- Migraine and other headache disorders, although the effectiveness is inconsistent in this indication
What are the side effects of Botox?
As Botox works by causing muscle paralysis it can result in paralysis of the wrong muscle group as well as an allergic reaction to the substance Botulinum toxin.
Sometimes bruising can occur on the injected area due to the method of application, which can cause improper facial expression, such as drooping eyelid, uneven smile, loss of the ability to close the eye and can last for 6 weeks.
The risk of bruising can be minimised when the physician applies pressure to the injected area, but it can still occur, lasting for about 7 to 10 days.
When the injection is applied to the masseter muscle of the jaw it can reduce the ability to chew solid foods due to the loss of muscle function.
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Other side effects may include headaches, focal facial paralysis, muscle weakness, dysphagia and flu-like syndromes.
Cosmetic treatments with Botox have a temporary effect and can last for as little as 6 six, but it normally lasts for a period of 3 to 8 months.
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