What is Botox?
Botox® is a trade name for botulinum toxin A. In this way, Botox® is related to botulism. Botulism is a form of food poisoning that occurs when someone eats something containing a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin A is one of the neurotoxins produced by Clostridium botulinum. The most serious symptom of botulism is paralysis, which in some cases has proven to be fatal. The botulinum toxins (there are seven -- types are A through G) attach themselves to nerve endings. Once this happens, acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter responsible for triggering muscle contractions, cannot be released. A series of proteins, VAMP, syntaxin and SNAP-25, are essential for the release of acetylcholine. Certain botulinum toxins attack these proteins. Botulinum toxin A (Botox) affects the SNAP-25. Basically, the botulinum toxins block the signals that would normally tell your muscles to contract. Say, for example, it attacks the muscles in your chest -- this could have a profound impact on your breathing. When people die from botulism, this is often the cause -- the respiratory muscles are paralyzed so it’s impossible to breathe.
At this point, you may be wondering why anyone would want to have a botulinum toxin injected into his or her body. The answer is simple: If an area of the body can't move, it can't wrinkle.
Where is Botox administered?
Botox injections are usually injected on the skin to treat wrinkles and facial lines. Same goes for medical treatments, although the technique is different particularly in the injection process and the type of needle.
How long is the treatment?
The actual Botox treatment for wrinkles usually takes 10 minutes but the entire consultation time may take around 20 to 30 minutes.
Is there any pain during Botox injection?
Patients have reportedly experienced tiny pinching or "tiny bug bites" sensation during the Botox injection process.
What should a patient do after a Botox treatment?
A patient is required to rest without lying down in the first 2 hours after the treatment. Exercising or any strenuous activity is also prohibited during this period.
A patient is also advised to avoid touching the treated area for the first 4 hours after the treatment.
How long will the results last and how soon can the patient see the results?
Results last for around 3 to 6 months. Re-injection of Botox is required to maintain the desired appearance.
Results can be seen at 2 to 4 weeks after the treatment.
How much does a typical Botox treatment costs?
The cost of Botox treatment will depend on where you reside and the area of the face to be treated.
One can expect to pay around $250 to $400 per treated area.
How often should a patient have Botox treatment to maintain the desired results?
To maintain the desired look and results, it is advisable to have Botox treatments every 4 to 6 months.
Delaying the succeeding treatments can be made as the age lines and wrinkles become lighter.
Which type of wrinkles respond best to Botox injections?
Only dynamic wrinkles respond positively to Botox injections. Wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes are the most responsive.
Wrinkles due to sun damage and aging will not improve through Botox injections as these types of wrinkles do not involve muscle contractions.
How does Botox treatment work for wrinkles?
Botox blocks the nerve signals that trigger the facial muscle contractions that produce facial lines or wrinkles. The muscles are immobilized by Botox, hence, softening and preventing the formation of age lines.
Are there any risks?
There are very minimal, and often rare, risks and side effects associated with Botox. Headache, flu-like symptoms, temporary redness, swelling, tiny pinching sensations and bruising are the most common side effects that usually fade over time.
No fatal systemic side effects have been reported from locally administering Botox injections for facial wrinkles.
Where does the toxin go after the treatment wears off?
The very minute dose of botulinum toxin-A is absorbed, processed and will be eliminated naturally by the body. Botox in the Body
Botox® (botulinum toxin type A) is successfully used to treat blepharospasm, strabismus, and cervical dystonia -- these are all conditions that in some way involve spasms, involuntary muscle contractions.
Photo courtesy Geek Philosopher
The skin around a person's eyes does not stay smooth like this forever. The repetetive use of surrounding corrugator and procerus muscles can cause severe glabellar (frown) lines.
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