There is still a lot of misunderstanding about what Botox is, how it works, and how it shouldn’t be used. Although the use of professional aesthetic procedures like Botox and dermal fillers has skyrocketed over the past ten years, there hasn’t been much advancement in the general public’s awareness of these procedures. Do not worry; Dr. Shahram is here to dispel the myths and help you with any queries you may have regarding Botox.
First off, Allergan’s Botulinum Toxin is sold under the trade name “Botox®” (who also make the Juvederm brand of dermal filler). In actuality, numerous brands of botulinum toxin—including Dysport® and Bocouture®—are utilised for both cosmetic and therapeutic objectives.
What precisely is Botulinum Toxin, then? In nature, the bacterium Clostridium botulinum produces this protein. It is actually a neurotoxic that briefly paralyses or weakens muscles. Which, you must admit, sounds rather ominous.
So why is it used for cosmetic purposes, and how can anyone utilise it? Since the Second World War, botulinum toxin has been utilised in medicine to treat muscle disorders of the face and body. It has been authorised for use in the cosmetic treatment of wrinkles since 1989.
The Botulinum toxin, which is present in Botox and other medications, is created in a highly controlled laboratory environment. Additionally, because it is still considered a pharmaceutical agent, only someone with medical training, such as a doctor, may prescribe and administer it.
Botox blocks the motor neurons’ and muscles’ communications at the point where they converge. As a result, these muscles become weak or paralysed. Since muscle activity and skin wrinkling are connected, reducing the muscles that create lines or folds would lessen the look of these wrinkles.
From an aesthetic standpoint, wrinkles and lines that are noticeable when moving but not when still respond well to Botox anti-wrinkle injections. So, by relaxing the muscles that cause these wrinkles, you can reduce or perhaps get rid of them. The forehead, frown lines, and smile lines around the eyes are common places for Botox anti-wrinkle injections. Additionally, Botox can be used to shape and define the face. A square face can be slimmed down, the jawline can be better defined, and jowls can be treated by injections of the substance into the lower face muscles.
If you are interested in botulinum toxin injections, please consult with Dr. Shahram.
