A Botox Primer
What is Botox?
Botulinum Toxin Type A is a nerve and muscle blocking agent, which is made from the toxin that causes botulism. Botox comes from the bacteria clostridia, which can cause fatal food poisoning by paralyzing respiration.Botox is a brand name type of botulinum rejuvenation treatment.
How is Botox used?
Botox is approved for many purposes -- the most popular of which is paralyzing the muscles that cause frowning and, hence, lead to frown lines between the eyebrows.Botox was first approved in December 1989 to treat two eye muscle disorders. Since then it has been approved to treat cervical dystonia, a neurological movement disorder causing severe neck and shoulder muscle contractions. Most recently, it has been approved to curb excessive underarm sweating.Testing is in progress to see if it is effective for lower back pain, migraines and excessive sweating of the hands. It is also being used on an "off-label" basis on other areas of the face and neck to eliminate wrinkles.To lessen or eliminate frown lines, several small injections of Botox are placed above the frown lines.What are the possible side effects?
Allergic reactions are possible but very rare. Drooping of the upper eyelid can occur and usually clears in about two weeks.Like with any injection, infection is always a possibility.What precautions should be taken in the use of Botox?
Botox should be injected by a physician or under the direct supervision of a physician.The person administering the Botox should be experienced in its use and observe sterile procedure.Treatments should be at least three months apart, which is usually about the time the Botox effects start to wear off.What does it cost?
Treatments cost between $300 and $1,000.
Botulinum Toxin Type A is a nerve and muscle blocking agent, which is made from the toxin that causes botulism. Botox comes from the bacteria clostridia, which can cause fatal food poisoning by paralyzing respiration.Botox is a brand name type of botulinum rejuvenation treatment.
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Botox is approved for many purposes -- the most popular of which is paralyzing the muscles that cause frowning and, hence, lead to frown lines between the eyebrows.Botox was first approved in December 1989 to treat two eye muscle disorders. Since then it has been approved to treat cervical dystonia, a neurological movement disorder causing severe neck and shoulder muscle contractions. Most recently, it has been approved to curb excessive underarm sweating.Testing is in progress to see if it is effective for lower back pain, migraines and excessive sweating of the hands. It is also being used on an "off-label" basis on other areas of the face and neck to eliminate wrinkles.To lessen or eliminate frown lines, several small injections of Botox are placed above the frown lines.What are the possible side effects?
Allergic reactions are possible but very rare. Drooping of the upper eyelid can occur and usually clears in about two weeks.Like with any injection, infection is always a possibility.What precautions should be taken in the use of Botox?
Botox should be injected by a physician or under the direct supervision of a physician.The person administering the Botox should be experienced in its use and observe sterile procedure.Treatments should be at least three months apart, which is usually about the time the Botox effects start to wear off.What does it cost?
Treatments cost between $300 and $1,000.
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