Cosmetic Botox Review
Botulinum toxin was first approved in Australia in July 1999 and is currently approved for use in a variety of neuromuscular conditions.
It is the most common cosmetic procedure performed world wide.
Botox has been available for treatment of a large range of neuromuscular and cosmetic conditions. The drug is administered locally and should not (except by accident) enter the systemic circulation, so the safety profile of Botox is highly dependent upon where it is injected and the dose administered.
Each vial of Botox contains 100 Units (U) of Clostridium botulinum type A neurotoxin complex.
Botulinum toxin, one of the most poisonous biological substances known. It is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. C. botulinum elaborates eight antigenically distinguishable exotoxins (A, B, C1, C2, D, E, F and G). (An exotoxin is a toxin secreted by bacteria. An exotoxin can cause damage to the host by destroying cells or disrupting normal cellular metabolism.)
Botox blocks signals from the nerves to the muscles. The injected muscle can’t contract. That makes wrinkles relax and soften.
Botox is most often used on forehead lines, crow’s feet (lines around the eye), and frown lines. The weakness induced by injection usually lasts about three months.
The affected nerve terminals do not degenerate, but the blockage of neurotransmitter release is irreversible. Function can be recovered by the sprouting of nerve terminals and formation of new synaptic contacts, this usually takes two to three months. Which is why it needs to be “maintained”
Toxin injections are given through hollow teflon coated needles directly into affected/overactive muscles. An ingredient in Botox is Albumin. You have a derivative of human blood, a liver protein, called Albumin that makes up 0.5mg- The warning label states- Human Albumin and Transmission of Viral Diseases. This product contains albumin, a derivative of human blood. Based on effective donor screening and product manufacturing processes, it carries an extremely remote risk for transmission of viral diseases.
A theoretical risk for transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) also is considered extremely remote. No cases of transmission of viral diseases or CJD have ever been identified for albumin.
Botox possible side effects include Dizziness, mild difficulty swallowing, respiratory infections such as cold or flu, pain, nausea, headache, and muscle weakness may occur when this medication is used to relax muscles. Double vision, drooping or swollen eyelid, eye irritation, dry eyes, tearing, reduced blinking, and increased sensitivity to light may also occur.
The cosmetic use of Botox is safe even in cases of repeated injections. On the other hand, the long lasting cosmetic use of botulinum toxin can trigger permanent changes in facial expression, and an expressionless, look. Lack of facial animation or permanent changes in facial expression may be undesirable in some cases.
Like anything, it’s important to read the label and understand what your are using on/in your body.
This is not a post to shame people who use Botox, I understand medically it is used to treat a variety of different conditions and using this product is necessary in treating those conditions. I’m sharing this as people may genuinely not know what is it this product.
