Oct 06 2009

Botox: Fountain of Youth or Poison in Your Face?

What Is Botox?

Derived from the botulinum toxin type A, Botox is a brand name for a highly purified and diluted preparation of botulinum used in numerous medical and cosmetic applications. It is also sold under the names Dysport and Myobloc. Botox is most widely known for its use in removing wrinkles.

While the botulinum toxic itself is highly poisonous and even deadly, the same toxin in smaller doses can be used to safely treat a variety of conditions. Botox is most widely known for its use in removing wrinkles, but is also has numerous medical applications.

Botox was first used in medicine to treat strabismus, a condition in which a person’s eyes do not align normally, and blepahrospasm, or uncontrolled blinking. Today, Botox is the most commonly performed cosmetic operation in America, with over four and a half million people getting the treatment in 2007.

Does Botox Work?

Botox does work to lessen the appearance of wrinkles, but this effect is temporary and has a host of risks attached, including paralysis of the wrong muscles and changes in ****** expressions. So is Botox a fountain of youth or just poison injected into your face? Like so many things in life, the answer isn’t black and white, and while this answer many not satisfy some readers, both are true to a certain extent.



What Is Botox Used For?

Cosmetically, Botox is only FDA approved for use in smoothing out wrinkles in the forehead between the eyebrows, reducing crow’s feet, forehead lines and frown lines. Additionally, Botox is used to treat various medical conditions, including:



Achalasia – an esophageal disorder characterized by difficulty swallowing

Blepharospasm – involuntary blinking

Cervical Dystonia – a neurological disorder that causes the muscles around the neck and shoulder to contract uncontrollably

Hyperhidrosis – abnormal underarm sweating

Strabismus – crossed eyes



Studies of the use of Botox in treating other ailments such as migraines and prostate problems are ongoing.

How Does Botox Work?

The everyday ****** expressions we all make, from happy to sad and everywhere in between, cause our skin to lose resilience. Cosmetic Botox injections work by blocking signals that are constantly firing from your nerves to your muscles. This causes a controlled weakening of the specific muscle targeted, and when the muscle doesn’t contract, wrinkles don’t show up as much. Noticeable improvements are usually seen within the first month after treatment.

How Is the Treatment Administered?

Botox is delivered to the muscle via a fine needle and causes little discomfort. The procedure only takes about ten minutes and requires no anesthesia. If you’re uncomfortable with needles, an icepack or anesthetic cream will do the trick.

Do I Need to Do Anything to Prepare for Botox?

Botox treatment methods vary from clinic to clinic. Some doctors recommend avoiding alcohol for one week prior to treatment and avoiding aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications for two weeks prior. This helps reduce the risk of bruising after injections.

Can Botox Be Used on Other Wrinkles?

No. Botox is only approved by the FDA for use between the eyebrows.

Will Botox affect my ability to make expressions?

You will still be able to make all the ****** expressions you always could after Botox injections, just without the wrinkles between your brows showing. Only the muscle that has been injected with Botox is paralyzed. Problems making ****** expressions arise when the wrong muscles are paralyzed, and this typically occurs when Botox is administered by someone who’s unqualified. The FDA strongly advises against attending Botox parties for this reason.

When Will I See the Effects of Botox?

Noticeable reduction of wrinkles will be seen within 2-3 days, and the full effects of Botox takes up to week to show.

How Long Does Botox Last?

The effects of a Botox injection last for approximately 4 – 6 months, and the wrinkles will return as the muscle starts to function normally again. Over time, the wrinkles will look smoother even without Botox, as the muscles are being conditioned to relax.

What Are the Side Effects of Botox?

The most common side effect of Botox is mild short-term bruising, which is caused by the mode of treatment rather than by the drug. When Botox is administered by a qualified medical professional side effects are quite rare but may include:



Allergic Reaction

Botulism – this illness is characterized by widespread paralysis and is rare when Botox is used correctly

Flu-like symptoms

Headache

Paralysis of incorrect muscles

Sagging eyelids

Stomachache



How Much Does Botox Cost?

Depending on various factors such as the experience of the doctor performing the treatment and location of the clinic, Botox typically costs from $200 to $800 per treatment.

Will My Health Insurance Pay for Botox?

Most insurers will not cover Botox for cosmetic use.

Am I A Good Candidate For Botox?

Because the procedure, which requires a short series of injections over the span of a few minutes, is a fairly simple one, most people find they are good candidates for Botox. Botox is FDA approved for use on people between the ages of 18 and 65.



Do not use Botox if you are breastfeeding.

Do not use Botox if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

If you have a neurological or muscular disorder, tell your doctor during your consultation session.

If you have any allergies, tell your doctor during your consultation session.



If you have any concerns about taking Botox treatments, be sure to bring them up to your doctor. Being informed about the process is the best way to feel comfortable about your decision. In addition, you may want to ask your doctor for references and look at some of his or her before-and-after pictures to get an idea of what to expect.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the counsel and expertise of a medical professional. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your doctor.



By: Alex Levin

About the Author:

Alex Tatarinov-Levin is a web content editor for Yodle, a business directory and local online advertising company offering practical and innovative solutions for advertising in the 21st century. Find consumer guides, tips and articles at local.yodle.com/articles.




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Jun 19 2009

Botox Causes More Wrinkles

Botox injections may give you more wrinkles next to the ones they remove. This was revealed by doctors who said that the popular wrinkle fighter that is used by celebrities and thousands of men and women worldwide may do more harm than good in the long run.

Dr David Becker, assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, said that while Botox is safe when used properly, it eventually creates new wrinkles. This happens because the paralyzed ****** muscles force other muscles to move in an effort to recreate the ****** expressions that Botox has blocked.

“What can happen is that other nearby muscles compensate – this can have the effect of actually creating new wrinkles,” Becker said.

One of the areas where Botox is commonly used is the scowl line between the eyebrows. When injected, Botox temporarily paralyzes the muscles there and its freezing effects prevent people from frowning. Since there is no muscle contraction, no wrinkles are formed. But the procedure comes with a price.

“In this case, following treatment, muscles in the upper nose, middle eyebrow and eyelid may try to recreate the expression of a scowl. Repetitions of this action cause new wrinkles,” warned Becker.

“I have seen this happen, particularly when people have Botox between the eyebrows. Because they know they can’t frown in that area, they tend to over-compensate in other areas, and ***** up their nose and crinkle their eyes in the effort to frown,” added Dr Patrick Bowler, chair of the British Association of Cosmetic Doctors.

Although the new wrinkles are usually less prominent, Becker said more injections are needed to treat them, creating a vicious cycle. To avoid further problems, the patient can stop treatment or use Botox elsewhere. In any case, Becker said doctors and patients should be aware of this risk.

Botox is the trade name of botulinum toxin type A, a deadly neurotoxin that comes from the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. It works by blocking the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine that is needed for muscular contractions. When muscles can’t tighten or contract, the skin flattens and appears smoother and less wrinkled. Botox takes effect in 3 – 4 days and lasts for 3 – 4 months. Repeated injections cause the muscles to thin, producing longer lasting results.

In Britain alone, over 4,000 women have Botox injections every month and Botox parties are a common sight. The affordability of this “lunch time facelift” has made Botox one of the most popular anti-aging treatments.

If you don’t want to take chances with Botox because of its possible side effects, you can try the Rejuvinol AM/PM Botox Alternative Age-Defying System. This Hollywood beauty secret consists of the Rejuvinol morning moisturizer that protects your skin from aging, the sun, and the elements; and the Rejuvox night cream that relaxes tense muscles and smoothens skin. For more information, go to http://www.rejuvinol.com.



By: Sharon Bell

About the Author:

Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine http://www.healthnfitnesszone.com.




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May 28 2009

Botoxed – You, But Younger

Some might say Botox® injections are for the elite and exclusive. However, with more than 2.5 million treatments per year in the US, Botox injections are hardly exclusive. Despite recent economic slow down which has affected the sales of all luxury items including designer handbags and fine jewellery Botox® treatments continue to soar. So what is this treatment and how does it work?

Botox® is the trade name for a drug called botulinum toxin, a natural by product of the bacteria clostridia botulinum which is a nerve blocker. It has been used for over twenty years in medicine for muscular twitches and spasms. It is this effect which boasts its’ cosmetic value as long term muscle contractions is primarily the cause of the lines and wrinkles on the upper face.

To create ****** expressions we contract the muscles in our face. When you smile the muscles around your eyes contract to create wrinkles on their sides resembling the feet of a crow. Hence, permanent lines around your eyes are commonly known as “crow’s feet”. Looking up forms the horizontal lines on the forehead and frowning / getting angry creates the deep vertical lines in between the eyebrows (also known as anger / frown lines). With age the skin looses its structural qualities and with repetitive muscle contractions over years the lines and wrinkles slowly engrave in the skin. The lines get deeper and alter their pigmentation making the lines and wrinkles more prominent and permanent. Paralysing the respected muscles by local injection of Botox® stops the lines and wrinkle forming thereby relaxing the skin overlying. The relaxed skin not only looks more youthful but any damage done over the previous years will reverse with time. Permanent lines will start to disappear and the treatment will knock off years of your age.

Effects can last up to 6 months by when new nerves start regenerating into the muscles to produce contractions again gradually restoring your original appearance. Then its time for another shot of injections and the cycle continues. Despite the cost per average treatment – of up to 40,000 rupees the results achieved are second to none. Sometimes knocking a good 10/15 years of your age these injections have become known as simple, quick, and safe amongst the medical community. Common minor side effects include bruises (lasting up to a week), irritation and headaches, droopy eyebrow, a weeping eye or problems with ****** expressions most of which can be avoided by well trained and experienced cosmetic doctors. Serious side effect such as an anaphylactic shock is extremely rare.

With so much money at stake, will doctors really put the best interests of their patients first? If patients look better and if by implication have improved self-esteem, with minimal chances of complications and they there should be no ethical problem in treating those patients.

Botox® can also be used to improve chronic headaches, migraines, backaches and many more conditions associated with muscle contraction by relaxing the muscles that tense up in the respective regions. It is widely used in the oriental countries for patients with prominent jaw angles. Also, the same types of nerves that Botox® blocks also innervate the sweat glands. Hence, local Botox® injections are used to reduce sweating in patients with excessive sweating disorders most commonly on the face, palms, underarms and feet.



By: A. Farhan Haq

About the Author:

Expert Cosmetic Doctors In Botox And Dermal Filler for Wrinkles, Excessive Sweating Hyperhidrosis Clinics in London and UK, Jaw Reduction, Lip Enhancement and know more at info@cosmedocs.co.uk .




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