Botox® is the brand name for botulinum toxin A. You should know that Botox® is associated with botulism. What is Botulism, you may ask? Botulism is a form of food poisoning. Botulinum toxin is one of the neurotoxins (neurotoxins are toxins that work specifically in the nervous tissue) produced by Clostridium botulinum.
One of the most serious symptoms of botulism is paralysis, which in some cases may be fatal. Botulinum toxin (it's seven - species is A to G) attaches itself to nerve endings. When this happens, acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter responsible for initiating muscle spasms, cannot be released. Several proteins are needed to release acetylcholine. Some botulinum toxins attack these proteins. Botulinum toxins usually block the signals that usually tell the muscles to contract. For example, suppose it attacks the chest muscles - it can have a huge effect on breathing. During the recent coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak it is crucial that you know all the facts about botulinum toxins as coronavirus has been linked to lug problems. When people die from botulism, this is often the cause - the breathing muscles are paralyzed, so you can't breathe. If you have been to a cosmetologist or a doctor's office you should ask them if they had their facility disinfected from coronavirus, COVID-19. Recently, many commercial cleaning companies started to offer coronavirus, COVID-19 cleaning services. One such company is located in Gainesville, Florida offers Commercial and Residential Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cleaning Services in Gainesville, FL. Should you live in the greater Gainesville area and are going to see a doctor or an aesthetician for your Botox injections, you can recommend Cleaning Company located at 1231 NW 100th Blvd #17 | Gainesville FL, 32606 to disinfect their facility from coronavirus. They operate under all CDC guidelines and use only hospital grade, CDC approved products.
At this point, it is good to wonder why anyone would want to have botulinum toxin injected into their body. The answer is straight forward:
If the body area cannot move, it cannot wrinkle.
Botox® injections are one of the fastest growing cosmetic procedures in the industry, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). In 2019, 7,697,798 injections have been performed for Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox®, Dysport®, Xeomin®). More popular than surgery to augment bust and possible stroke, Botox® is some considered to be the ultimate source of youth.
Botox® was first approved in 1989 to treat two eye muscle disorders--uncontrollable blinking (blepharospasm) and misaligned eyes (strabismus). In 2000, the toxin was approved to treat a neurological movement disorder that causes severe neck and shoulder contractions, known as cervical dystonia. As an unusual side effect of the eye disorder treatment, doctors observed that Botox® softened the vertical frown (glabellar) lines between the eyebrows that tend to make people look tired, angry or displeased. But until this improvement was actually demonstrated in clinical studies, Allergan Inc., of Irvine, Calif., was prohibited from making this claim for the product.
By April 2002, the FDA was satisfied by its review of studies indicating that Botox® reduced the severity of frown lines for up to 120 days. The agency then granted approval to use the drug for this condition.
Botox® is injected into your skin with a very small needle. After Botox® injection, the muscles will relax and the skin will continue to smooth out over about 5 days. The effect usually lasts for about six months, and can be repeated as needed.
There are very few side effects of Botox® injection procedure. While allergy to any medicine is possible, it is rare with Botox®. While a small amount of brow or lid droop is possible, it is unusual and can usually be avoided by not treating the area just above the outer portion of the brow. If it does happen, it goes away by itself.
Originally used for treating nervous twitch of the eyelid muscles, it was discovered that the crow’s feet, frown lines and forehead creases can be flattened dramatically. Neck Bands can sometimes be helped also.
What are Botox® parties you may ask? It is just like it sounds. Botox® parties are usually home gatherings where an aesthetician comes and administers Botox® Cosmetic injections to multiple people in a short time span. The party lasts a few hours and everyone who attends can share stories, eat some hors d'oeuvres or have a glass of wine.
Any authorized healthcare professional can administer BOTOX® Cosmetic, but dermatologists, dentists, plastic surgeons, ophthalmologists, otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat doctors), or physicians specializing in cosmetic procedures are generally more experienced.
Botox® is one of the most popular cosmetic “mini-treatments” today. This procedure can be done on a lunch break and requires no anesthesia or recovery.
You want to find a doctor with experience—someone familiar with injecting Botox® Cosmetic. To make the selection process easier, consider choosing a doctor from the Botox® Cosmetic Physicians’ Network. Members of the Network have medical practices that focus on facial aesthetics, as well as detailed knowledge of facial anatomy and experience injecting Botox® Cosmetic. Their practices also offer other facial aesthetic treatments.
Here's what you might expect at the doctor's office from the moment you arrive until your procedure is done. (Please note that although this experience is typical, the routine at your doctor's office may be different.)
You may resume normal activity immediately. You may see a marked improvement in the moderate to severe frown lines between your brows within days. Improvement may continue for as long as a month, and could last up to 4-6 months.