Botox has become one of the most popular treatments for reducing
wrinkles, frown lines, and crow's feet. In addition Botox has
been found to be effective in treating migraine headaches,
excessive sweating, and muscle spasms in the neck.
Botox has soared in popularity in recent years and last year
botox injections were given to over 2 million Americans. Botox
is the short name for something called botulinum toxin.
Botulinum Toxin Type A is a protein produced by the bacterium
Clostridium botulinum.
When used in medical settings as an injectable form of sterile,
purified botulinum toxin (Botox), small doses of the toxin are
injected into the affected muscles and block the release of the
chemical acetylcholine that would otherwise signal the muscle to
contract. The toxin thus paralyzes or weakens the injected
muscle.
Doctors use a very small dose of this toxin to help smooth
wrinkles, creases in the forehead, crow's feet around the eyes,
and frown lines. Botox was first approved by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) in 1989 for the treatement of double vision
and uncontolled eyelid spasms. Botox has been been called
today's "fountain of youth" since it was approved by the FDA in
2002 for the reduction of frown lines.
The injections typically last for 3 to 4 months and then have to
be repeated. The most common adverse events following injection
of Botox are headache, respiratory infection, flu syndrome,
blepharoptosis (droopy eyelids) and nausea. Less frequent
adverse reactions (less than 3% of patients) include pain in the
face, redness at the injection site and muscle weakness. These
reactions are generally temporary, but could last several months.
Because Botox is a prescription drug, it must be used carefully
under medical supervision. Botox "parties" may diminish the
seriousness of the procedure and if alcohol is served at these
parties it may worsen any bruising at the injection site. The
FDA has issued warning statements about botox "parties" and
recommends that botox injections be performed in a controlled
medical environment that is equipped to handle an emergency
situation.
