Some women have been using botox injections for a number of years to maintain beauty, while others have been wary of such procedures, after listening to unflattering reviews. Perhaps it's all about the lack of information, because not everyone knows in detail what Botox is, how it works, and what consequences botulinum therapy can have.
Botox - what is it?
Considering what Botox is, what kind of drug it is, it is worthwhile to briefly get acquainted with the history of the discovery of this remedy. For the first time about it have learned in the 19th century, when found the causative agent of botulism - the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This microorganism produces several types of neurotoxins, one of which, being serotype A, is a proteinaceous compound exhibiting high biological activity. The study of this substance showed that it can be not only a poison, but also a medicine.
In 1946, a crystalline form of neurotoxin A was obtained under laboratory conditions, and a few years later a mechanism of its influence on the tissues of the human body was established. When purified and diluted botulinum toxin A began to be used for the treatment of eye diseases, an interesting "side effect" was found: when injected into the patient, wrinkles disappeared. Since then, neurotoxin has been used in aesthetic medicine, and on the pharmaceutical market the first patented preparation on its basis was the development of the American company Allergan-Botox.
How does Botox work after administration?
Until now, it has not been completely determined how Botox works, but the main links in the chain of effects are known. After the drug is injected into the muscles, the following occurs:
- binding of molecules of botulinum toxin with cells of nerve fiber ends, in which the molecules are immersed inside nerve cells;
- blockade of the release of acetylcholine - a neurotransmitter that performs neuromuscular transmission of motor impulses;
- muscle tissues cease to receive the command to contract, so they remain immobile in a relaxed state.
Such effects are observed when the drug is introduced into any muscle group. It is worth noting that the range of the agent is determined by the amount, and in small dosages Botox does not affect the overall functioning of the body. In addition, there is no atrophy of immobilized muscle fibers, as their blood supply as a result of the procedure is not violated, the drug only breaks the connection between the nerve and the muscle.
How long does Botox work?
After Botox injection, the onset of its action is observed after 2-3 days, the maximum is observed after about two weeks, and after 1.5 months, the effect gradually disappears. If Botox is injected into the forehead, the result can be noticeable within 24 hours. For some time the preparation concentrates at the place of its introduction, and then it penetrates into the bloodstream and is eliminated during the course of natural metabolic processes. The blockade of transmission of nerve impulses to muscle fibers through botulinum toxin preparations is a reversible process.
After 4-6 months, muscle contractility is fully restored, which is achieved through the following processes:
- the appearance of new lateral processes in the blocked nerve terminal;
- the creation of connections between new neural processes and muscle tissues;
- synthesis of substances responsible for the transmission of nerve impulses.
The duration of action of neurotoxin A drugs is influenced by several factors, among which:
- individual susceptibility of the organism to the agent;
- quality of medicament;
- correctness of the procedure;
- carefulness of the patient's implementation of recommendations after injections.
Botox - indications for use
Considering what Botox is, in what areas it is used, the indications for the administration of this drug can be divided into medical and cosmetic. Let's list what indications Botox has in the medical field:
- local hyperhidrosis ;
- blepharospasm;
- facial hemispasm;
- paralytic strabismus ;
- spastic dysphonia;
- bruxism;
- spasm of the sphincter of the rectum;
- spastic bladder;
- tics;
- tension headache ;
- vaginismus ;
- dystonia of the extremities and others.
In the cosmetic field, the effect of Botox is applicable to the smoothing of facial wrinkles:
- interbrow vertical wrinkles;
- horizontal folds on the forehead;
- nasolabial folds;
- " Crow's feet ";
- wrinkles on the back of the nose, chin and so on.
In addition, in order to rejuvenate the drug is used to correct such defects:
- "Gingival" smile;
- overhanging of upper eyelids;
- lowering the corners of the lips;
- wrinkles on the neck and in the decollete.
Application of botulinum toxin
For the first time, the use of botulinum toxin in medicine was started (Botox was used against strabismus), and studies are still conducted to this day for the possibility of treating this substance with various diseases, often accompanied by abnormal muscle contraction. Thanks to the introduction of the drug into the affected muscles, pain is reduced, the mobility of the joints is reduced, thereby improving the quality of life of patients.
Application of botulinum toxin in cosmetology
Many women who notice more wrinkles on their faces are beginning to wonder what Botox is, and whether to use this drug for rejuvenation. Botulinum toxin in cosmetology is used at the expense of the possibility of relaxing the facial musculature, so that the skin relief quickly begins to smoothen. It is worthwhile to understand that only those skin folds, which are formed due to active facial expression, are amenable to such correction. Botox from wrinkles associated with the age reduction of collagen production in the dermis, it is not able to rid.
The use of botulinum toxin in neurology
A large number of neurological diseases is associated with increased muscular tension, involuntary muscle contractions or spasms. Therefore, botulinum toxin in neurology offers ample opportunities for the treatment of patients suffering from such ailments, when other therapeutic methods are ineffective or contraindicated.
Botox is effective from hyperhidrosis - excessive sweating in the area of axillary basins, palms, feet. As it turned out, this substance is capable of interrupting the connection not only of the nerve with the muscle, but also between the nerve and the sweat gland. As a result, the sweat gland is actually blocked. It is understood that botulinum therapy can only be treated with an increased sweating of neurological origin, which often begins from childhood or puberty and is heritable.
Botox helps from bruxism - a pathology in which, due to the hypertonicity of the chewing muscles, episodes of nocturnal grinding of teeth regularly appear. Patients may suffer from pain in the lower jaw area, damage to the tooth enamel is observed, and later degenerative changes of the temporomandibular joint may develop. Botulinum toxin is effective if bruxism has psychological or neurological causes, while it is injected into the chewing and sometimes the temporal muscles.
How do injections of Botox?
You should know that such a substance as Botox has the right to apply for patients only a highly qualified specialist - a cosmetologist, dermatologist, neurologist, plastic surgeon. A few days before the procedure you need to stop using alcohol, intense physical exertion. In addition, you may need to cancel some medications, which should be discussed with your doctor. Depending on which Botox will be applied to the zone, the dosages of the drug are selected individually. The whole procedure takes 20-30 minutes.
How correctly to do or make injections of Botox?
Let's consider the main stages, as Botox injections do:
- Before the injection, the zones of drug administration are determined, the antiseptic treatment of the skin is performed, and sometimes the local anesthetic is applied.
- Electromyography is carried out - a study that allows estimating the bioelectrical activity of the muscles, through which the points in which the injections are made will be accurately selected and outlined.
- The injections are made with syringes with very thin needles, which are injected to a depth of 7-10 mm at an angle of 45 or 90 degrees.
- The skin is again treated with an antiseptic.
- After the procedure, it is required that the patient stay under medical supervision for an hour. It is necessary, that at the approach of undesirable effects at once the help was rendered.
Then you can immediately start the daily business, but always with some recommendations and restrictions:
- place of injection should be immobilized for 4-5 hours as much as possible;
- After injections should be at least 5 hours to stay in an upright position;
- Do not rub the treatment area with the drug;
- in a few days, avoid visiting the sauna, bath, solarium, beach, hot tubs.
How often can I inject Botox?
After using drugs containing Botox, the photos before and after reflect significant changes: the skin is smoothed, becomes more taut, looks much younger. When the effect of the procedure begins to fade, the natural desire of the woman is to repeat it. It is worth knowing that new injections of Botox can be done when the muscle fibers restore activity by at least 50%. This period is individual for everyone, what the doctor can determine. Often, sessions are recommended 1-2 times a year.
Botox - side effects
Considering what Botox is, its high activity, one should be prepared for the fact that injections of botulinum toxin can cause temporary side reactions, among which:
- allergic manifestations;
- subcutaneous hemorrhage;
- swelling;
- soreness;
- feeling of tightness of the skin;
- headache;
- violation of skin sensitivity and others.
Botox injections - contraindications
Botox contraindications has the following:
- hypersensitivity to the components of the agent;
- infectious acute diseases;
- neuromuscular diseases;
- endocrine pathologies;
- autoimmune diseases;
- blood diseases, violation of its coagulability;
- inflammatory processes at the injection site;
- propensity to form keloid scars;
- severe myopia;
- glaucoma;
- pregnancy, lactation;
- pronounced ptosis of facial tissues, hernia of lower eyelids;
- the need to take certain medications (antibiotics, anticoagulants, antipyretics and others).
Effects of Botox Stabs
Due to unskilled actions of medical personnel, ignoring the doctor's recommendations by the patient, individual reaction of the organism, such complications and consequences of Botox may be observed:
- total change and violation of facial expressions;
- Atony of the muscular facial apparatus;
- spasm and ovulation of the eyelids;
- double vision in the eyes;
- asymmetry of the face;
- violation of speech functions.