Botox is the trade name for a medication called Botulinum Toxin A (BTX-A). As the name suggests it is associated with botulism poisoning and is lethal in its basic form causing paralysis among other complications. However, in its neutralized form it has several medical and cosmetic uses as detailed in this article.

How can a toxin be used as medication?

The use of BTX-A as medication was scientifically developed over a period of 50 years when physicians and scientists discovered that the toxin blocks neuromuscular transmission. The neutralized BTX-A, was used to treat strabismus (crossed eyes) for the first time in 1980. The U.S. FDA approved the drug for the treatment of strabismus, blepharospasm (twitching eyelid), and hemifacial spasm in patients over 12 years of age in 1989. In 2002 the FDA approved the use of Botox Cosmetic for temporary improvement of moderate glabellar lines (frown lines) in adult patients up to 65 years.

Action

Botox works by blocking the function of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the injected muscle. The low-dose injection causes mild paralysis in the muscle tissue, relaxing the muscle. Application in cosmetology is based on the principle that relaxed muscles cannot wrinkle the overlying skin.

The injection starts acting within a few hours after being injected in the target muscle group. Reduction or elimination of the condition (wrinkling, hyperhidrosis, etc.) will be noticeable within that time.

Duration

Botox treatment is a temporary procedure and lasts only for a period of 3-8 months. The whole procedure takes only a few hours. Slight bruising of the skin at the injection site is common and can be alleviated by application of ice before and after the procedure.

Cosmetic Use of Botox

Botox Cosmetic has been successfully used to correct wrinkles caused by muscle contractions below the surface of the skin. Such wrinkles are known as dynamic wrinkles. Glabellar wrinkles are dynamic wrinkles caused by frowning and lateral canthus lines or crow’s feet are dynamic wrinkles caused by squinting.

Glabellar frown lines: Botox Cosmetic is injected into the specific muscles that contract when a person frowns, temporarily relaxing them, resulting in an inability to wrinkle the skin over those muscles. The person’s reduced ability to frown facilitates the obliteration of frown lines. Forehead lines are also reduced or eliminated in this manner.

Lateral canthus lines (crow’s feet): The injection is administered in the muscles surrounding the eye. This reduces the ability of the muscles to squint, eliminating lateral canthus lines.

Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating): Although this is not a cosmetic problem, many patients approach their cosmetic dermatologist for reduction or elimination of this embarrassing disorder. Botox Cosmetic is administered to the specific area and sweating is reduced or stopped within a few hours as acetylcholine action on the sweat glands is blocked.

Note

Botox Cosmetic is a prescription drug and should only be administered by a qualified cosmetic dermatologist or surgeon in a well-equipped clinic or hospital. Your history of allergies and overall health condition should be discussed before the administration of Botox. Make sure you also discuss the possible side effects with your doctor.