All About Botox: The Basics

With millions of treatments every year, Botox is the number one cosmetic procedure in the United States

. Introduced in the late 1980 to help treat optic muscle disorders, it was approved for cosmetic use by the FDA in 2002.

While the procedure is most commonly associated with helping millions of patients rid their faces of pesky lines and wrinkles, today Botox is used for a variety of reasons. Anything from ocular muscle spasms to severe armpit perspiration can be treated using the injections. In addition, studies are also being conducted in hopes of treating a laundry list of other conditions including migraine headaches and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

This injection works by combating wrinkles that are created when nerve cells inside the muscles release a chemical called acetylcholine. This chemical triggers a contraction that creates wrinkles. The injection disrupts the release of acetyelcholine, which is essence paralyzes the muscle and prohibits the contraction. The results take up to one week to become fully evident and remain for at least three months.

Botox typically reduces wrinkles by about 80 percent. Though the age of patients varies greatly, the majority tend to fall between the ages of 35 and 60. Results will vary depending on the individual and the long term treatment goals.

Injections are performed at a doctor's office and don't usually require anesthesia, though many patients apply a numbing cream to the treatment area prior to the procedure. Most treatments are short, typically lasting less than 20 minutes. And generally, patients are able to return home shortly after the appointment is complete.

Points of injection are marked with a pencil and antiseptic is applied. Doctors may select numerous injection points for each designated area, though points are never located directly on the wrinkle itself, but rather at the area where the muscle contracts. Botox is then injected into the points, thus inhibiting the release of the acetylcholine.

The most common side effects come in the form of nausea, headache, and flu-like symptoms. Less common side effects include muscle weakness or drooping of the upper eyelid muscles. However the later usually rectifies itself within a few days.

The FDA now requires black box labeling on Botox products in order to warn of a very rare and potentially life threatening complication should the toxin spread past the injection site. Though, it should be noted that the complication has never been reported in conjunction with people using the drug for cosmetic purposes.

by: Abigail Aaronson

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