BOTOX ® Cosmetic
Superficial wrinkle eraser
FDA Approved for Wrinkle Removal
. BOTOX ® is widely used as a cosmetic enhancement to temporarily reduce
wrinkles and fine lines in the face, banish neck bands, and clear away crow’s
feet. BOTOX ® was approved by the FDA for non-cosmetic use in 1989 and approved
for cosmetic use in 2002. For over 11 years it has been used to treat over 1
million patients worldwide.
The earliest form of BOTOX ® was used in the 1960’s as an investigational
drug for treating crossed eyes, a condition caused by uncontrollable muscle
spasms behind the eye.
The brand name BOTOX® is short for botulinum toxin A. Botulinum toxin A is a
neurotoxin produced by the bacteria called Clostridium botulinum, which causes
the form of food poisoning we know as botulism. In some severe cases, the food
poisoning version of botulism can be fatal if the individual is paralyzed by the
botulism toxins. These toxins bind to nerve endings and prevent muscles from
contracting by blocking release of acetylcholine, which causes muscle
contractions, from the nerve. This is basically how Botox works, but within much
smaller and safer parameters. Non-cosmetic Botox is often used to cease
involuntary muscle spasms.
When BOTOX Cosmetic is injected into facial lines, those muscles are
paralyzed, making the wrinkles invisible. Results last for three to eight months
and are visible a short while (usually just a few hours) after the BOTOX is
injected into the affected area. Some of the possible side effects of BOTOX
injections include difficulty swallowing, headache, neck pain, nausea, bruising
at injection area, or upper respiratory infection.
Some patients have different reactions to later treatments that did not occur
with the first treatment. This can happen for several different reasons. If you
somehow change certain patterns with your muscle movement, it is possible that
the treatment will affect those muscles differently. You may also develop
antibodies to the toxin over time, preventing your muscles from reacting the way
it did previously.
New uses for BOTOX® are being currently being studied, including treatment of
head and neck tremors,
hyperhydrosis (excessive sweating), facial spasms, TMJ, and writer’s cramp.
It is crucial to recognize that the effects of your BOTOX Cosmetic treatment
are not a cure and are not permanent. You may require further treatments to
achieve the effect you desire.
This procedure is frequently referred to as Bowtox injections, BOTOX
injections or just misspelled as Bowtox.
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