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Botox Injections
The cosmetic form of botulinum
toxin, often referred to by its
product name Botox®, is a popular
non-surgical injection that
temporarily reduces or eliminates
frown lines, forehead creases, crows
feet near the eyes and thick bands
in the neck.
The toxin blocks
the nerve impulses, temporarily
paralyzing the muscles that cause
wrinkles while giving the skin a
smoother, more refreshed appearance.
Studies have also suggested that
Botox is effective in relieving
migraine headaches, excessive
sweating and muscle spasms in the
neck and eyes.
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What is BOTOX?
Often described by
clients and medical
practitioners alike as
the new "fountain of
youth," BOTOX® is the
brand name for Botulinum
Toxin Type A. It is a
protein complex produced
by the bacterium
"clostridium botulinum,"
the same bacterium that
causes the form of food
poisoning known as
botulism. BOTOX®,
however, is a purified
form of this bacterium
and was developed by
dermatologists in 1980
to treat muscle
disorders such as
uncontrolled blinking
and was later put to
cosmetic uses for the
first time in 1987.
Nowadays, BOTOX® is
being used primarily to
treat so-called frown
lines, crows feet,
turkey neck, and other
wrinkles and fine lines
that tend to accumulate
over time and are the
result of years of
squinting and frowning.
Such wrinkles,
unfortunately, aside
from being tell-tale
signs of aging, also
have the tendency to
make one appear tired,
angry, or sad even when
one may not be feeling
this way at any given
moment. On the other
hand, since these lines
are the result of muscle
contraction, they can be
mended by rendering the
muscle under the skin
weak or inactive. BOTOX®
works on wrinkles by
doing exactly that and
results are seen just a
few days following the
procedure. This process
then allows the skin to
return to its natural
position without the
unnecessary strain of
the muscles and
unpleasant appearance of
wrinkles.
Presently, and for good
reason, BOTOX®
treatments are the
fastest-growing sector
of the cosmetic surgery
industry. More and more
people are turning to
BOTOX® for a safe and
effective alternative to
actual plastic surgery.
Botulinum Toxin Type A
has been approved by the
Food and Drug
Administration (FDA).
When injected, in small
doses, into muscles just
below the surface of the
skin, BOTOX® works to
bind to the nerve
endings and block the
release of a chemical
known as acetylcholine.
Acetylcholine is the
very chemical that
"tells" the muscle when
to contract. Therefore,
when acetylcholine is
blocked, the muscle does
not contract and remains
relaxed. Since the
muscle is relaxed, the
skin above the muscle
also remains relaxed,
flat, and smooth. This
smooth surface lasts
roughly three to four
months before the muscle
recovers some of its
original strength and
begins to contract
again. The patient will
notice as well that even
though the muscle has
begun to work again,
that the lines that
return are not as deep
as they originally were.
Moreover, new lines will
not be formed either.
Also, due to BOTOX®'s
fast-acting nature,
optimal results can be
seen a mere week after
injection.
It is always important
to remember, when
considering BOTOX®, or
any other dermatological
procedure, to go to a
professional medical
practitioner, such as a
dermatologist, for
treatment. The setting
for such a procedure
should be a clinic with
qualified and accredited
professionals
administering the
treatment. Under these
conditions, the consumer
is guaranteed to receive
safe and effective
treatment and minimize
the potential for misuse
of the product.
Due to its success rate,
many pleased clients,
and general word of
mouth, BOTOX® is
becoming increasingly
popular. It's the ideal
form of treatment for
those who do not wish to
face the risk of
surgery, do not have the
time to undergo
complicated procedures,
and are satisfied with
being treated for a few
minutes every three to
four months. Plus, since
it is not as radical as
surgery, the anti-aging
process that BOTOX®
causes appears natural
so that those around you
will comment on your
more and more youthful
appearance but will
never suspect that your
secret to success is
BOTOX®. That is, of
course, unless you tell
them.
BOTOX® is a registered
trademark of Allergan,
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