BOTOX: THE MEDICINAL AND COSMETIC WONDER DRUG

17 Feb, 2022 posted by Laudee

The name Botox sounds very familiar, right? Yes, it is the protein from the botulinum toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum that causes botulism. However, do you know how useful Botox is? If it is adequately used in appropriate doses, it is a wonder-drug. Botox injections are widely used for diminishing wrinkles. Besides, it helps in treating eyelid spasms, bladder disorders, crossed eyes, and excessive sweating.

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Botulinum is a toxin produced at a particular point when the spores of the bacterium transform, and their cell population increases. However, Botox is reported safe alongside some side effects concerning therapeutic uses. Botox (onabotulinum toxin A) is one of the commercial versions of Botulinum toxin. Minimal doses of botulinum are used to manufacture Botox injections.

The nerve signaling processes stimulate the contraction of muscles. The neurotoxin Botox disrupts these signaling processes and thus induces temporary paralysis in the muscles.

Our nerves secrete a neurotransmitter called Acetylcholine at the junction of nerve endings and muscle cells. Acetylcholine contacts muscle cell receptors and causes muscle contraction. Botox injections do not allow the release of Acetylcholine and hence ceases muscle contraction. The toxin abruptly declines contractions, which makes our muscles less stiff.

Primarily, Botox helps diminish facial wrinkles. However, its effects are temporary, and it lasts from three to twelve months, depending on your treatment.

Generally, people use Botox in the following facial areas:

  • Crow’s feet or wrinkles beneath our eyes
  • Glabellar lines or frown lines
  • Corner-creases of our mouth
  • Chin’s cobblestone skin
  • Forehead’s horizontal creases

Although there’s no suitable evidence, people use it to improve dark circles and the appearance of their hair. Also, despite not being approved, people use Botox for many conditions such as vulvodynia, anismus, dyshidrotic eczema, post-herpetic neuralgia, Raynaud syndrome, sialorrhea, alopecia, and psoriasis.

How can you use the Botulinum toxin?

Dilute the toxin-powder in saline and inject it into neuromuscular tissue. Generally, the effect is seen within 24-72 hours and, at times, five days to take full effect. The result lasts for 3-12 months, depending on your treatment. Keep in mind not to use Botox if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or in case of an allergic reaction to Botox or its ingredients.

Most people are tolerant of Botox injections, and side effects are less common. Still, we must be aware of the risks and side effects:

  • Headache
  • Mild pain, bruising or swelling around the site of injection
  • Malaise
  • Temporary weakness
  • Upset stomach
  • Numbness
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • In some rare cases, genetic predisposition results in an unusual transient response to the drug.

Therefore, Botox is a wonder-drug used in small doses, diminishing wrinkles, and helping in the treatment of muscle-related disorders.