BOTOX® What, How And Where.
What is BOTOX®
BOTOX® is a drug known most widely for its ability to temporarily smooth out facial wrinkles, though it also has several medical applications. Both BOTOX®Cosmetic and BOTOX® Medical applications relate to BOTOX®’s ability to block muscle contractions.
BOTOX® is a brand name for botulinum toxin type A that is manufactured by Allergan Pharmaceuticals Ireland a subsidiary of Allergan, Inc., 2525 Dupont Dr., Irvine, CA 92623.
BOTOX® must be injected because it can not work as a cream or tablet. BOTOX® is a drug that is injected into the muscle or muscles that is contracting abnormally or producing unwanted spasms. It will weaken the nerve endings to the muscle thus stopping the impulse which would otherwise produce muscle contraction. The injections usually last between four to six months depending on individual results. Botulinum toxin is a form of food poisoning, but when given in extremely small amounts and is placed directly into the muscle has proven very useful for those who are suffering from abnormal contractions of muscle.
BOTOX® injections are very costly and is measured in units. Always ask the doctor for the amount of units he/she will administer. You can use this guide when making your inquiry: 24 Units for lines around both eyes (crow’s feet) / 20 units for frown lines between eyebrows / 16 units for forehead furrows.
How BOTOX® Works
When BOTOX® is injected, it will travel through the tissues until it ends up into the nerve of the muscle or muscles. The nerve endings will absorb it thus stopping the impulse between the nerve endings and the muscle which would otherwise produce muscle contraction. This weakens the muscle or muscles that is contracting abnormally. In time, the nerve endings regenerates, and the muscle or muscles become strong again. This is why BOTOX® would have to be injected again when it wear off.
Where Does BOTOX® Work Best
BOTOX® will work best in the upper part of the face. Lines all around the eyes (crow’s feet), frown lines between the eyebrows, and forehead furrows mostly always respond well to BOTOX® injections. BOTOX® also has been used as treatment for Dystonia, an involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscles. As for lines around the mouth area, BOTOX® will respond about 50% of the time and can leave an uneven smile. Sun damage, discoloration, and dimples do not respond well, at best to BOTOX® injections.
BOTOX® is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc.
Important Safety Information
BOTOX® may cause serous side effects that can be life threatening. You should get medical help immediately and call your doctor if you have any of these problems after a BOTOX® injected treatment:
- Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing. These problems can happen hours to weeks after an injection of BOTOX® usually because the muscles that you use to breathe and swallow can become weak after the injection. Death can happen as a complication if you have severe problems with swallowing or breathing after an injection.
- Spread of toxin effects from botulinum toxin may affect areas of the body away from the injected area, and can cause a serious condition called botulism. Symptoms of botulism include loss of strength and muscle weakness all over the body, double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, hoarseness-change-or loss of voice, trouble saying words clearly, and loss of bladder control.
- BOTOX® Cosmetic injections can cause serious side effects such as dry mouth, discomfort and pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, neck pain, and eye problems. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include itching, rash, red itchy welts, wheezing, asthma symptoms, dizziness or feeling faint. You should get medical help immediately and call you doctor if you are wheezing, or have asthma symptoms, or if you become dizzy or faint.
- These problems could make it unsafe for you to drive a car or do other dangerous activities.
Always tell your doctor about all your medical conditions especially if you had a decease that affect your muscles and nerves, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, myasthenia gravis.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking including nonprescription drugs, vitamins, and herbal products.
Tell your doctor of any side effect not mentioned, that bothers you or that doesn’t go away.
Please Note: These conditions are possible but are not common. Always consult your doctor regarding side effects before using BOTOX®.
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Hi Mike
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cheers
Heather
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Great information about Botox. Are there any side effects from these injections?
Thanks for information about Botox injections.
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Botox injections are effective but be careful about the overdose and side effects.~:.
Another use of Botox is for jaw line reduction, sometimes diesirable by Asian women.
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