Botox is the most common cosmetic operation in the US today, used to reduce or eliminate frown lines, crows feet and other wrinkles. The rapid effects, combined with a low price and zero recovery time, make Botox an affordable and effective option for those looking to shave a few years off their appearance.
Originally discovered in 1870, Botox (Botulinum toxin) is actually a mild poison that was found to be making diners ill in sausages. From the 1950s its property of decreasing muscle activity was used to treat a variety conditions, for example migraines, overactive bladder and cervical dystonia.
Botox works because as a mild toxin it temporarily paralyses the muscles with which it comes into contact. The Botulinum toxin attaches itself to nerve endings, preventing them from releasing the neurotransmitter that causes muscle contraction.
The solution is injected directly into the relevant muscle. This prevents it from spreading - Botox's paralyzing action is highly undesirable in other parts of the body. It usually becomes effective after a few hours at most, after which time the muscles become unable to contract. The injection itself is not painful, and is done with a very tiny needle for minimum discomfort.
One treatment will usually last 3 to 6 months, after which another is needed. The effects will start to diminish gradually after 3 months. Most patients come back around twice a year for new injections, each of which costs around $500. A longer term benefit of Botox is that it will actually prevent new wrinkles from forming.
Botox is approved for use in adult patients up to 65 years old. It is suitable for use on deep frown lines around the face, particularly on the forehead, around the eyes (crows feet) and around the mouth (smile lines).
Botox injections need no recovery time. The needles used are so thin that any pain is purely momentary. Patients should be able to walk back into work almost immediately.
The FDA recommends that Botox injections always be performed in a controlled medical environment. The small risk that the Botox might paralyze other tissues in the body means that the proper medical equipment should be nearby at all times.
The rapid rise of Botox as a viable treatment has spawned a host of imitators, so its very important to find both a qualified provider and an appropriate setting for the treatment. Too much Botox in the wrong area can result in droopy eyelids, raised brows, or even a loss of facial expression, as sometimes seen in Hollywood.
Another recent invention has been the 'Botox party', where providers administer the toxin in a wine and cheese setting to a group of friends. This is not recommended, due to concerns about the sterility of the needle, the interaction of alcohol and Botox, and the lack of any emergency medical equipment.
