Botox

What is Botox?

Botox is a protein that is produced by a bacteria, clostridium botulinum, that relaxes muscles. It's been used for years in the ophthalmology world for people that have problems with the way their eyes look, such as children that have one eye going in the wrong direction. Botox was used to relaxes the muscle causing the misguided eye, correcting the problem.
Later the husband/wife team of Alistair and Jean Caruthers in Canada discovered the cosmetic dermatologic application of the protein. It can also be used to treat patients who have muscle spasm, patients with muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy.
Botox has FDA clearance for the glabellar, frown lines between the eyes, and hyperhidrosis. Any other uses are "off label".

Positives and Negatives

The effects of Botox injections are temporary, which can both be seen as positive and negative. For patients it can be seen as a bad thing because they have to keep going back to get more Botox. However it can also be a positive thing because the risk of over-treatment, or excessive paralyzing of muscles, is limited because the effects will fade. You can rest assured it will go away.

What Botox TreatsBotox is mainly used in cosmetic dermatology for the upper part of the face to paralyze the muscles of facial expression. Over time, as the sun damages our skin, wrinkles can appear when we move our facial muscles. Across the brow or the little elevens that people get which can make them look stern, between the upper bridge of the nose, may be effectively treated with Botox.

Some physicians may use Botox carefully around the lips. If applied in sparing amounts, it may improve the wrinkles around the lips, though there is a risk of immobilizing the lips, which is obviously not desirable

Some physicians may use Botox carefully around the lips. If applied in sparing amounts, it may improve the wrinkles around the lips, though there is a risk of immobilizing the lips, which is obviously not desirable

Another place Botox is being used frequently now is platysma muscle. Some people with thin skin on the neck have these tightened bands of skin on the neck caused by the platysma muscle in the neck. Botox injections may be used in the neck to relax that.
Botox is also often used to improve depressed eyebrows, as well as improve hyperhidrosis of the underarms or hands (excessive sweating).

Botox is often used in conjunction with lasers and fillers to address the signs of photo-aging or sun induced aging of the skin.

Botox Side Effects

Botox is seen as a safe and effective treatment when used in accordance with FDA approved procedures. Side effects from Botox are generally minor, if they occur at all. Your Botox provider will discuss all the possible complications which can arise from treatment with it, however this is a partial review of side effects which have been reported.

As Botox will paralyze muscles and prevent them from moving, the greatest side effects generally arise from over-treatment. If used in excess Botox may produce an undesirable result by immobilizing too much of the face, or as in the example above, limit use of the lips.

Other side effects which have been reported are:

Nausea
Muscle Weakness
Drooping eyelids
Pain in the Face
Heartburn/Indigestion
Tooth Problems
Hypertension/High Blood Pressure
Dry Mouth
Bleeding at the site of injection
Sore Throat
Soreness are the site of injection
Some side effects may indicate an allergic reaction such as a rash, hives, swelling or wheezing/difficulty breathing.
Seek out medical attention immediately should you experience these or any other side effects.