While a great many of us have heard the word Botox a great many times could we all explain exactly what Botox is? The article below explains exactly what it is in the simplest way so that anyone can understand the topic completely.
Botox, simply put, is a prepared form of the Botulinum Toxin. As a toxin Botulinum is very dangerous and immensely poisonous to humans. Many people would say that Botulinum is one of the most poisonous substances known to man.
Botox is the registered trademark for a specific product which is created using one of the seven neurotoxins (botulinum toxin A). Botulinum toxin A is made by the bacterium known as Clostridium botulinum, the same bacterium which causes Botulism. Botulism is a type of food poisoning which can cause death as it stops the messages from the brain being transmitted, by the nerves, to the muscles (which leads to paralysis).
Botox is accepted as safe and has long been FDA-approved for use in humans where it is used to treat involuntary muscle contraction and spasms (in blepharospasm, strabismus, and cervical dystonia). Botox, although a commercial brand name, is used as a descriptive term for the well known skin care treatment for reducing the appearance of facial fine lines and wrinkles.
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved the use of Botox Cosmetic in aesthetics but restricted to being available only on prescription. Only an injection of the lowest effective dose, of Botox, should ever be used and only one injection should be given every 3 months. Women who are breast feeding or who are breast feeding, plus those folk taking antibiotics, should avoid using Botox as they have increased risk of adverse reactions.
The cosmetic treatment commonly known as Botox, due to the fact that the substance is injected into the facial muscles, is usually only done in a controlled medical environment. The Botox paralyzes the muscles and effectively removed even the deepest wrinkles, furrow and frown lines ((glabellar lines). Unfortunately, over the weeks, the effects of the treatment reduce and the lines and wrinkles return (making the treatment only temporary).
Over the last few years Botox has become one of the most popular anti-aging treatment. So popular is it that people have created a social event around it. The so called “Botox Parties” are were groups of people have the treatment in a social environment rather than a medical one. The FDA have warned that such parties could be dangerous as the consumption of alcohol is common and having alcohol in the system when having the treatment can cause a dramatic increase in the amount of bruising.
Dysport is another, similar, brand to Botox which is quickly becoming rather popular. However, due to the sad fact that people who have this type of anti-aging treatment display an expressionless face which lasts for a while has left many who would rather use other types of treatments. Two of the most popular treatments for the removal of fine lines and wrinkles are chemical peels and microdermabrasion.
