Botox has been in use since the late seventies. It was first researched and developed by an ophthalmologist and was first used to treat the condition 'lazy eye'. Ophthalmologists would inject botulium toxin into tiny eye muscles to treat 'lazy eye'. The drug was used, by surgeons and others, to correct other facial, eyelid and limb diseases such as tremors and spasms during the eighties. In fact it was towards the end of the eighties that it was first discovered that it could have cosmetic benefits. After having the injection for eye spasms it was noticed that one patient's frown lines had considerably diminished. Botox is actually the purified product produced by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. The drug works by weakening the muscles that cause wrinkles and frown lines. If used in its purified form and in tiny amounts Botox will relax muscles which lessen the appearance of frown lines, forehead lines and crows feet. Botulinum Toxin, or as it has become known Botox can be used to make dramatic differences in frown lines and the lines of expression we see between our eyebrows and around our eyes. All that is involved is a simple injection that has no 'down time', no healing time and leaves no scars. This injection can eliminate all frown lines. Small doses of the toxin are injected into the specific muscles, which cause the unwanted lines of expression. This causes only those muscles to become paralyzed. Within three to fourteen days the maximum effect from the injection can be seen. The paralysis lasts from between two to five months. The only way to maintain the effect is to continually repeat the injections. The injection is administered by the use of a very small needle and only takes a few minutes. A small number of patients have reported minor and temporary discomfort from the injection. There is a concern that there could be the danger of botulism from Botox but if given by a trained physician and in the correct amount there is no danger from botulism. Having very large amounts of the toxin in your system causes botulism and this is usually from eating contaminated food. For any harm to be caused extremely large doses would have to be injected. Although the most common areas where Botox is used are frown lines, forehead lines and crows feet other areas such as the neck and upper lip can benefit from the injections. There are very few side effects that can be caused from Botox injections. And these are related to the injection solution. There could be slight discomfort from the needle and in some cases a small bruise may appear. Although rare the temporary drooping of one eyelid could be a side effect. This is very uncommon in the hands of an experienced doctor and if does happen is short lived. Almost anyone can have Botox injections but as with many procedures there are some exceptions. Botox injections should not be used on people who suffer from neurological diseases or pregnant and nursing women. |
