What is Botox?

Botox is a protein made from Botulinum toxin that temporarily paralyzes muscle. In small doses, it can reduce skin wrinkles and help treat a range of medical conditions, including eyelid spasms and some types of migraine.

The bacterium Clostridium botulinum produces Botulinum toxin, which is the same toxin that causes botulism.

Botox is a toxin, but when doctors use it correctly and in small doses, it can have benefits. It has both cosmetic and medical uses.

As a cosmetic treatment, Botox injections can reduce the appearance of skin wrinkles.

Also, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved it as a treatment for various health issues, including eyelid spasms, excessive sweating, some bladder disorders, and migraine.

How does Botox work?

Botox is a neurotoxin. These substances target the nervous system, disrupting the nerve signaling processes that stimulate muscle contraction. This is how the drug causes temporary muscle paralysis.

In order for any muscle to contract, the nerves release a chemical messenger called acetylcholine at the junction where nerve endings meet muscle cells. Acetylcholine attaches to receptors on the muscle cells and causes the cells to contract, or shorten.

Botox injections prevent the release of acetylcholine, which stops the muscle cells from contracting. In this way, the toxin helps the muscles to become less stiff.

What are the cosmetic uses of Botox?

The primary use of Botox is reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles. According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, Botox injections are the most popular cosmetic procedure nationwide. In 2016, over 7 million people had Botox treatments.

The effects are temporary, lasting 3-12 months, depending on the type of treatment.

People often request the injections in the following areas of the face:

• wrinkles between the eyebrows, called frown lines, glabellar lines, or elevens

• wrinkles around the eyes, known as crow's feet

• horizontal creases in the forehead

• lines at the corners of the mouth

• "cobblestone" skin on the chin

What are the Risks and Side effects?

People generally tolerate Botox injections well, and side effects are uncommon.

However, depending on the reason for the injections and the person's response, Botulinum toxin can cause some unwanted effects, including:

• dry eye, following cosmetic uses

• an upset stomach

• numbness

• mild pain, swelling, or bruising around the injection site

• a headache

• temporary eyelid drooping

• temporary unwanted weakness or paralysis in nearby muscles

• a worsening of neuromuscular disorders

People should not use Botox if they have:

a sensitivity or allergy to it

an infection at the injection site

Depending on the type of treatment, there are concerns that the effects of Botox may extend beyond the injection site, possibly leading to symptoms such as difficulty breathing.

This is more likely to occur in some individuals than others, and genetic factors may play a role.

Also, some people receiving injections of Botulinum toxin type A develop antibodies

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