How BOTOX Works

MCLEAN, VA, July 28, 2012 (Press-News.org) Since 2002, BOTOX Cosmetic has been FDA approved to treat lines between the eyebrows. Plastic surgeons use it to prevent crow's feet and forehead lines as well. BOTOX prevents wrinkles by preventing the behavior of muscles that form them. Although BOTOX is not permanent, it provides a convenient, non-surgical way to prevent fine lines.

Relaxation of Facial Muscles

In general, BOTOX works by halting the contraction of the muscle into which it is injected. BOTOX stops these muscle contractions by preventing neurons from releasing a compound called acetylcholine. Under normal circumstances, acetylcholine is released from the neuron and binds to receptors on the muscle, causing it to contract. BOTOX blocks receptors on muscles that normally receive acetylcholine, essentially paralyzing the muscle.

BOTOX tends to work best by preventing the formation of wrinkles and by preventing the wrinkling of skin caused by certain facial expressions. BOTOX tends to be ineffective on wrinkles that have already formed. These wrinkles may require dermal fillers or another method to soften them and reduce their appearance.

The effect of BOTOX is not permanent. After four to six months, the muscles will begin to contract again and you may want to consider BOTOX re-treatments.

BOTOX Safety

Over the years, the safety of BOTOX has been scrutinized. BOTOX is made from a certain strain of a toxin produced by soil bacteria called clostridium botulinum. When you come into direct contact with it, this bacteria can cause botulism, a serious illness. For this reason, safety concerns have always surrounded BOTOX, which does not cause botulism.

In general, BOTOX does not cause serious complications. The medication is a special preparation of the toxin and it is injected in very small doses. It is not akin to exposure to clostridium botulinum, such as occurs in unsafe food handling and storage incidents.

Millions of men and women have safely received BOTOX since its FDA approval for cosmetic uses in 2002. The most common side effects are temporary facial bruising and swelling. More serious complications are quite rare and most often associated with BOTOX used for non-cosmetic reasons, which require much higher concentrations of the toxin.

BOTOX Results

The action of BOTOX takes a little time to develop. After four to seven days, you should notice a difference, with the complete effects apparent within two weeks. Results will last anywhere between four to six months, at which point another injection is necessary to maintain results.

To learn more about BOTOX, please visit the website of Nova Surgicare PC at www.novasurgicare.com, the website of Northern Virginia plastic surgeon Dr. Daria Hamrah.