Whats All the Fuss about Botox (Botulinum Toxin) Anyway?

Filed under Beauty and Skin Care | 0 Comments
10 Feb 2008 | healthspaguru.com
Whats All the Fuss about Botox (Botulinum Toxin) Anyway?
Botox appears to be the new vogue. Every second person is either trying it, or too scared to ask what the new hype is all about. So what is Botox, how does it work and should people be nervous regarding its safety and effects?

Botox is well known for its treatment in both cosmetic and medical practices. It is however the reversing of the visible signs of ageing that has sparked curiosity in people worldwide. Happiness, anger as well as other emotions experienced in everyday life result in facial muscle contraction as well as pleating of the skin. Through time, these lines tend to linger longer then desired and become more noticeable. The aim of Botox is to weaken the muscles responsible for creating the wrinkles and in turn reduce their visibility and reoccurrence.

Regardless of the benefits, nervousness regarding Botox is still evident and primarily stems from its origin. Botox is a neurotoxin protein produced from the Clostridium Botulinum bacterium which is known as one of the most toxic naturally occurring substances around, which in large doses can result in food poisoning and further complications. Fortunately small diluted doses of the toxin enables a safe controlled weakening of the muscles used for cosmetic purposes today. The procedure is practiced daily on thousands of patients worldwide and is only regarded as unsafe if you are allergic, pregnant or suffer from a neurological disease. However, prior to planning a Botox treatment it is still advised to consult a doctor to discuss whether you are in fact a good candidate for the procedure. Special care should also be taken in choosing an appropriately qualified practitioner in your area.

Although regarded as a "medical" procedure, Botox (Botulinum Toxin) is performed in rooms with no anesthesia and takes approximately 10 to 20 mins to perform. Using a tiny micro needle, small amounts of the Botox are injected into the area of question, leaving a small pricking sensation behind. Muscle weakness only occurs one to two days after the injection and will return to function in three to six months time. Due to the fact that Botox is not a permanent treatment, the injection is usually repeated on a regular basis. Temporary bruising and occasional headaches are the most common side effects of Botox. In rare cases, eyelid droop or tearing can occur, but this is only temporary and usually due to patients rubbing the area causing toxin to migrate in the first few hours of having the treatment done.

However, what everyone would still like to know is, are the results worth the effort and the money? If it's the wrinkles triggered by ageing and sun damage you would like to wave goodbye, then Botox is not the solution. Botox only improves wrinkles formed due to facial muscle contraction and has shown to smooth and improve this variety of wrinkle effectively and efficiently. The duration of the effect of the Botox depends on the type of Botox (Botulinum Toxin) being utilized as well as the amount applied, however in days you will be able to notice a marked improvement which is able to last up to six months. So if it's a youthful appearance that you are after, this may be the time to book or save up for your next Botox treatment!

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