What is Botox and do it have side effects?

Botox is currently the most widely used cosmetic product to reduce facial wrinkles. In the United States alone, its trade volume was over $ 2 billion in 2015.

 

What is Botox and how does it work?

Botox is a substance that can be injected into different areas of the face that have a lot of muscle mobility and for a while causes the muscles in that area to become paralyzed or paralyzed.

The human face has several muscles by which it can change the shape of its face, laugh, frown or wonder, or shake its eyebrows.

Because the skin and muscles are connected by a protein called collagen, the movement of the facial muscles in any form, including laughing and frowning, causes the skin to contract and expand, and over time causes the skin to break, leading to aging lines or wrinkles. Called. The more facial muscles are used, the more and deeper fractures occur, for example, people who frown too much will have skin fractures between the eyebrows.

Botox actually prevents the skin from contracting and expanding and causing wrinkles by paralyzing the muscles in the area where it is injected, giving the skin a chance to regenerate. For example, if injected into the forehead, the person can no longer do so voluntarily. What involuntarily shakes the muscles of this area for several months.

 

What is the active ingredient in Botox and how is it produced?

Botox is made from a toxin produced by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium has different types A, B, C, D, E, F, G that are found in soil. Clostridium botulinum B and C in animals And A, B, E, F cause disease in humans and Botox is produced from type A bacteria. In fact, the toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum A in the laboratory is very weak and they produce Botox from it. Botox is stored in 100-unit vials that must be stored at zero to minus 20 degrees Celsius, in other words, they must be stored in refrigerators for medicine.

Before injecting, the vials should be taken out of the refrigerator and can be used and injected when their temperature reaches 2 to 4 degrees Celsius.

 

How does Botox work?

Normally our brain sends electrical messages to the muscles that cause them to move, the electrical message is transmitted to the muscle by a substance called acetylcholine, Botox prevents the release of acetylcholine resulting in the muscles of the brain message Do not receive for the reaction. Simply put, the muscles in the injected area become temporarily paralyzed.

In which parts of the face can Botox be injected?

Forehead line

Fold in the middle of the eyebrows (frown line)

Eyebrow lift

Corner of the eye

Rhinoplasty line

Vertical lip lines

Lift the corners of the lips

Vertical neck strap

Sunken eyebrows

Note that Botox is most effective for the forehead and eyebrows.

 

Do you experience pain when you inject Botox?

Botox is injected with special syringes that have very thin needles (Micro Needle), some people may experience a burning or itching sensation in very small amounts, but most people do not notice the injection and even They also do not feel a slight burning sensation.

Women who are close to menstruation may feel some pain due to nervous irritability when approaching menstruation, so it is recommended to use Botox one to two weeks after menstruation.

 

How long does it take for Botox to work on the facial muscles?

The effect of Botox in each person can be different and appear from a few hours after the injection to a maximum of 3 days later. If you are still able to move the muscles at the injection site after a maximum of 3 days, be sure to tell your doctor.

 

How long does it take to see the positive effect of Botox on your skin and how long does it last?

Usually after 2 to 3 weeks, you should see a reduction in wrinkles on your skin and the effect lasts up to 6 months after the injection, after which you can consult again with your doctor if necessary.

 

Does Botox have side effects?

Except for minor side effects such as itching and a slight burning sensation that some people may rarely experience. Studies so far show that this beauty method is safe and people can use it even for a long time.

 

Who should not use Botox?

Pregnant and lactating women

People with neurological diseases such as MS or other movement disorders

Patients with acute cardiovascular disease

People with blood clotting diseases

It is definitely recommended that if you have a specific disease and you are taking any medication or you are allergic to any medication, consult your doctor before using Botox.

Some tips about Botox:

To do Botox, you definitely need to see a specialist doctor or a reputable clinic. Injecting the exact amount of Botox in each part of the face is one of the most important principles of Botox, low injection reduces its effect and more injection can be associated with dangerous side effects. It is very important to use Botox produced by reputable companies and also to maintain it in standard conditions and before the expiration date. The minimum age for Botox is 20 years, and of course, people under the age of 30 do not need to do it, except in exceptional cases when a person has severe skin wrinkles at a young age.

Another important point is that in addition to Botox, skin repair creams should also be used to achieve maximum results. If you live in areas where there is a lot of sunlight, be sure to use sunscreen or day creams during the day.

Also, use night creams that have antioxidant and restorative properties at night. Creams that contain ketone (Q10) and vitamin E are a good option.

Using supplements that contain selenium, zinc and B vitamins also help regenerate and rejuvenate the skin.

Skin Plus cream and Hair Plus food supplement from American company Organic Lab are suitable products.

 

Other uses of Botox:

In medical science, in addition to its use in beauty, Botox has many other applications, for example, it is also used to control hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).

In patients with excessive sweating, Botox is injected into sweaty areas such as the palms of the hands, forehead, underarms, back of the knees, and other areas. Botox blocks acetylcholine near the sweat glands and prevents Excessive sweating.