BOTOX

Botox is the commercial name which is used to refer to botulinum toxin type A. This toxin is a purified protein which is derived from the Clostridium Botulinum bacteria.

The brand name Botox is used around the world to refer to this toxin, above all for aesthetic procedures, although in other countries such as Spain it is also known as Vistabel. Botox is generally used to reduce or eliminate facial wrinkles on men or women. It is one of the anti-aging treatments, is simple to apply and does not have the risks of a facelift. Once it has been injected, Botox interrupts the communication between the neurons and the muscle into which the toxin has been injected, thereby paralyzing the muscles. When the tissues do not move, the wrinkles in the skin disappear and the face acquires a more relaxed expression. This procedure has become popular over the last few years as it is faster, safer and less complex than cosmetic surgery.

At present, Botox is the aesthetic treatment which is most in demand around the world. The use of botulinum toxin has managed to overtake the facelift (stretching the skin by means of cosmetic surgery) as the first option for achieving facial rejuvenation. A report from the Cosmetic Surgery Data Bank Statistics of the U.S.A. assures us that the accumulated growth in Botox applications from 1997 to 2004 was 42.55%. In 2007 in the U.S.A. alone, almost 3 million applications of Botox were carried out.

Uses of Botox.

At present, Botox is principally used to eliminate facial wrinkles. Due to its effectiveness and minimal side effects, Botox has become one of the most asked for techniques for facial rejuvenation of recent years, taking over from anti- wrinkle creams (which are not particularly effective ) or facelifts (which are too expensive and risky).

The use of Botox for aesthetic ends and facial rejuvenation :

Removing facial wrinkles from the space between the eyebrows and the forehead. Putting an end to wrinkles on the neck and those which form around the lips and nose, the so-called crow’s feet , which appear around the eyes ; (these treatments are awaiting approval by health control organisms.

The use of Botox to treat other illnesses, for example :

Combating strabismus (crossed eyes). Applying Botox in this case is an alternative to surgery, with fewer risks and is performed without the need for anesthesia.
Curbing excessive sweating (hiperhidrosis). Botulinum toxin applied in low doses can paralyze the sweat glands of areas such as the underarms, interrupting temporarily the sweating process. It is being investigated whether this treatment could have the same effect when used on hands or feet.
Controlling the symptoms of spasticity (rigidity of the muscles). Spasticity comes from the deterioration in some areas of the brain or the spinal cord, which are the parts that control a person’s ability to move their muscles voluntarily. In these cases Botox is used for treatment as it relaxes the muscles.
Helping to reduce trembling (involuntary, repetitive movements produced by muscle contraction).
Controlling blepharospasms (incessant blinking of the eyes).
Treating spasmodic torticollis or cervical dystonia. When the neck muscles contract in such a way that the head remains in an abnormal position, Botox relaxes this contraction, allowing the head to return to its normal position.
Treating different types of facial dystonias (involuntary,repetitive contractions of the facial muscles).

Although Botox can be a very effective medication to eliminate or reduce facial wrinkles, it must be mentioned that its use does not provide magical results and does have certain limitations.

Botox cannot :
Reverse the deep lines which are caused by the sun’s harmful rays (when wrinkles are very deep, dermal fillers are used).
Botox is less effective when it is used to treat the facial muscles near the mouth, as these are the ones we utilize when eating, smoking and speaking.

Nobody can assure you that the treatment will be 100% effective. Your skin type and its thickness are determining factors in achieving the final results. Moreover, it is of the utmost importance the experience that the person administering the injections has. Applying the correct doses plays an important part in the final results.