Botox or the botulinum toxin has been used safely for many years now. If you’re considering using it it’s best you have a good understanding of what Botox actually is before you go ahead. It was originally used to treat lazy eye, squints, wry neck and blepharospasm but since it’s use case for anti-wrinkle treatments, its popularity has soared. With the recognition of botulinum toxin’s ability to treat the signs of skin aging, it created a revolution in the field of cosmetic and aesthetic medicine. In 2002, botulinum toxin was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat frown lines, wrinkles and fine lines that appear on the face as a sign of the aging process. Botox is the name given to a trademarked anti-wrinkle botulinum toxin treatment.
Botulinum toxin, the main ingredient in a Botox injection, is one of the most active and potent toxins in the world, which has the ability to kill millions of people with a little amount as 1 gram. Botox comes as a crystalline powder which needs to be dissolved using saline before it is injected. There are no standard concentrations when preparing the injections but usually 2-3ml are added to each syringe. Injections are administered to the muscles that cause these frown lines and wrinkles over years of contractions and tensing and can last for about 4-6 months.
Botox works by preventing the release of chemical signals from nerve endings and inhibiting the nerve signals, leading to muscular dysfunction, or muscle paralysis. Essentially, botox stops the targeted muscles from being able to contract and giving wrinkles and lines time to flatten out after not being worked for an extended period of time. If there are any facial expressions that are affected after the injections are administered this would be an error in the administration of Botox.
With its high efficacy and availability, many people, especially women are undergoing Botox injections as an anti-aging skin treatment. The cost of receiving Botox treatments is really low compared to the face lifting surgeries and do not require any hospital admissions as well. That is why many people consider Botox treatments over surgical procedures that require invasive surgery and extended recovery periods.
Botox, while great at relaxing facial muscles can come with some side effects in rare situations. These include mild swelling and bruising of the injected area, drooping of the forehead and upper eyelid for a few weeks if too much Botox is used. Then for a very small percentage of people, there may be very or little to no effect from the botox if too little is used and the person develops anti-bodies and stops the botox from working.
Botox treatments tend to show immediate results and usually last for about 4-6 months, after which, the treatment needs to be repeated for long term results. If you wish to pursue a botox treatment, make sure to find a registered professional as they are dealing with a toxic chemical or you can also use best anti-aging cream check out.