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BOTOX Botox injections are one of the most popular cosmetic treatments in the world. Celebrities like Madonna, Kylie Minogue and Liz Hurley are rumoured to be keeping the wrinkles at bay this way. Two years ago Sir Cliff Richard admitted to having had the treatment and now it is an increasingly popular choice for ordinary women looking for a quick way to look younger.
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What is Botox?
Botox is made from 'botulinum toxin', a poison produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium causes botulism - a severe form of food poisoning. In small quantities, however, Botox merely interrupts nerve impulses to muscles in the face. Botox is made from 'botulinum toxin', a poison produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium causes botulism - a severe form of food poisoning. In small quantities, however, Botox merely interrupts nerve impulses to muscles in the face. Botox is made from 'botulinum toxin', a poison produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium causes botulism - a severe form of food poisoning. In small quantities, however, Botox merely interrupts nerve impulses to muscles in the face. Botox is made from 'botulinum toxin', a poison produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium causes botulism - a severe form of food poisoning. In small quantities, however, Botox merely interrupts nerve impulses to muscles in the face.
Botox Hostory
Botox first began to be used in 1980 to treat many muscle disorders such as lazy eye, eye ticks and uncontrolled blinking. Cosmetics treatments were pioneered by dermatological surgeons in 1987.In small doses, Botox works by paralysing the muscles of the face which are used in frowning and raising the eyebrows. When these muscles relax, the fine lines and wrinkles smooth out. Unfortunately, when it is overdone, Botox treatment can leave the face with a lack of expression. This is reputed to have caused a problem for some actors Botox is reportedly a favourite with Oscar nominees who don't want to work up a sweat on the red carpet. Some stars have injections in their armpits to paralyse the sweat glands there. This way they can receive their awards knowing they don't have sweaty patches under their arms and hand back their couture outfits unstained.
Botox Risks
The risks of having botox injected between the eyebrows, which is one of the most popular areas for treatment. "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,. It is also stressed that Botox had been proven to be a safe and effective treatment for wrinkles and any new lines were usually less prominent. But if they did develop, the patient and their doctor would need to decide whether to discontinue treatment or use Botox elsewhere.
Botox, which is derived from the botulinum toxin A, is injected into the skin and works by temporarily paralysing muscles. Injections take effect about three to seven days after treatment and the effect lasts three or four months. A treatment costs roughly £200. With repeated treatments, atrophy or thinning of the muscles occurs, which produces longer lasting results. Botox was licensed for use in cosmetic operations by the US Food and Drugs Administration last year.
It is not yet licensed for such use in the UK, which means doctors are free to use it but must be personally responsible for any ill-effects. A spokeswoman for Allergan, which manufactures botox, said the treatment was safe. "This treatment has been proven safe and effective by multiple clinical studies," she said.
The study is published in the journal Cosmetic Dermatology, which is the official publication of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery. . There's nothing new about worry lines, frown lines, crow's feet or other wrinkles caused by smiling, laughing or frowning. There is a very effective new way to treat them. It's called Botulinum Toxin, which is the name of a product used for a variety of medical conditions licenced for muscular disorders for more than 10 years.Using a micro-needle, minute amounts of Botulinum Toxin are injected into specific facial muscles. It relaxes those muscles and stops them forming lines and wrinkles, resulting in a more youthful and pleasing appearance.
Botulinum Toxin treatment is virtually painless. however, it isn't a permanent remedy; periodic re-treatments are needed to achieve long lasting results..
In How does it work?
Botox injection contains Clostridium botulinum type A neurotoxin complex, which is a protein compound derived from the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. It contains a toxin called botulinum toxin type A, which is produced by this type of bacteria.
Botulinum toxin type A is a bacterial toxin that prevents nerves from functioning normally (a neurotoxin). It prevents nerves from releasing a chemical called acetylcholine, which is essential for the nerves to communicate with muscle cells. This toxin therefore prevents muscles from receiving nerve stimulation.
Preventing nerve stimulation of muscles causes the muscles to become paralysed. Botulinum toxin type A causes muscle paralysis until such time as the nerve develops new endings to communicate with the muscles. Therefore, it is useful in treating conditions where excessive nerve stimulation to muscles is causing abnormal muscle functioning or spasms. It is injected into the muscle for this purpose.
The toxin is also useful for preventing excessive sweating, as it prevents nerve signals from reaching the sweat glands in the same manner. For this purpose the toxin is injected into the skin in the armpit.
What is it used for?
Uncontrolled blinking or continuous closure of the eyelid (blepharospasm) Muscle spasm affecting one side of the face (hemifacial spasm) Spasmodic rotation of the head to one side (spasmodic torticollis/idiopathic cervical dystonia) Wrist and hand disability in adults due to spasm of the muscle in the upper arm as a result of a stroke Foot deformity due to spasm of leg muscles in children with cerebral palsy aged two years and over (dynamic equinus foot deformity) Severe excessive sweating from the armpits (hyperhidrosis), not controlled by antiperspirants
Warning!
If your symptoms start to improve on this medicine, make sure you resume your normal activities gradually. Try not to do too much too quickly as you may risk injury.If you or someone you are caring for develops any swallowing, speech or breathing problems after having treatment with this medicine, you should consult your doctor immediately.Too frequent or excessive use of this medicine can cause the body to produce antibodies against the medicine, which could make it less effective.
Use with caution in
Inflammation in the area to be injected
Excessive weakness or wasting in the muscle to be injected
History of swallowing difficulties (dysphagia)
History of seizures, eg epilepsy
Disease involving the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular disease)
A neurological condition called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in which there is progressive degeneration of the nerves that activate the muscles
People who have recently had surgery or are due to have surgery in the near future
People at risk of closed angle glaucoma (applicable only to those being treated for blepharospasm)
People who have had previous eye surgery (applicable only to those being treated for blepharospasm)
Botox is Not to be used in
Infection at the proposed injection site
Abnormal muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis)
Chronic disease affecting the muscles (Eaton Lambert syndrome)
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. It should not be used during pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor. It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. It is not recommended for the treatment of women who are breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
General side effects:
Pain, soreness or bruising at the injection site Misplaced injections may paralyse nearby muscles and excessive doses may paralyse muscles that are not near the injection site Fever (pyrexia) Flu-like symptoms Difficulty or pain when swallowing (dysphagia) Rash or itching Specific side effects when treating blepharospasm/hemifacial spasm: The soft eyelid tissues bruise easily. Your doctor will try to reduce this by applying gentle pressure after giving the injection. Drooping of the upper eyelid Sensitivity of the eyes to light Eye irritation Dry eyes Watering eyes Facial swelling Difficulty closing the eyelid Inflammation of the front of the eye (cornea) Specific side effects when treating cervical dystonia patients: Dizziness Increased rigidity, stiffness or soreness of muscles Numbness Weakness Drowsiness Nausea General feeling of being unwell/malaise Specific side effects when treating cerebral palsy patients: Viral or ear infections Urinary incontinence Sleepiness General feeling of being unwell/malaise Rash Tingling Specific side effects when treating stroke patients: Arm pain Increased rigidty of muscles General feeling of being unwell/malaise Specific side effects when treating hyperhidrosis: Increased sweating from areas not treated Hot flushes The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How can this medicine affect other medicines?
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines and those bought without a prescription, before you have treatment with this medicine, so they can check that the combination is safe.
The muscle paralysing effect of botulinum toxin type A may be increased by the following medicines: aminoglycoside antibiotics, eg neomycin, gentamicin, tobramycin spectinomycin muscle relaxants, particularly those used in anaesthesia antibiotics such as polymixins, tetracyclines or lincomycin. |
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