Posts Tagged ‘Chemical Signals’

Botox®

Saturday, October 31st, 2009
Patricia Woloch recently asked:


It’s a bacterium that’s also a cosmetic wonder. It’s been called the ultimate fountain of youth. When small doses are injected into facial muscles it eliminates unwanted wrinkles revealing a younger, fresher appearance. Botox® treatments can improve the following conditions:

· Forehead creases

· Crow’s feet around the eyes

· Frown lines between the nose and eyebrows

· Skin bands around the neck

· Improves appearances of scars long term

What is Botox®?

Botox® is short for botulinum toxin type “A”. It is a purified low-concentrate protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum, which contains the same toxin that causes food poisoning. When it’s injected into a muscle, it blocks the chemical signals that causes the muscles to contract. The muscles react to the bacteria by tightening up causing the skin to flatten revealing a smoother, softer appearance.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Botox® for the temporary treatment of moderate and severe frown lines back in 2002. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). , Botox® is the fastest growing cosmetic procedure in the industry today.

Before getting a Botox® treatment, be sure to do the following:

· Get a qualified doctor that is trained in cosmetic surgery of the face to perform the procedure

· Be informed – ask lots of questions about the benefits and risks of the procedure

· Be sure you are in a medical setting that uses sterile techniques. Emergency equipment should be available if there are any problems

· Do not drink alcohol before Botox®

· Sit upright for several hours after the procedure

The Procedure

The doctor carefully chooses “wrinkle-producing” muscles, and then inserts a thin needle injecting a small amount of Botox® into the area. Your doctor will choose muscles that will preserve your natural facial expressions. The number of injections depends on several factors:

· Your facial features

· The area that’s being treated

· The extent of the wrinkling

· Crow’s feet may take 2-3 injections

· Furrowed brow approximately 5 or more injections

The whole procedure takes 10 to 15 minutes in your doctor’s office. There’s no anesthesia and very little discomfort or pain after the injections. You may experience headaches for a few hours but will be able to resume your normal activities immediately. Take caution to not rub the area near the injection, so the toxins won’t migrate to other areas of the face. The results could be temporary weakness or droopiness of the facial muscles.





Botox – is it Right for You?

Sunday, September 27th, 2009
Patricia Woloch recently asked:


Botox is the brand name for botulinum toxin type A. This purified form of the toxin, if taken in large amounts by mouth will cause botulism, a form of food poisoning. But, used in small amounts can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

How does it work?

Botox prevents the muscles from tightening by blocking the chemical signals that cause them to contract. The cosmetic surgeon will use a thin needle to inject tiny amounts of Botox into certain muscles surrounding your wrinkles. The chemical weakens the wrinkle-producing muscles and restores a smoother appearance to your skin.

The number of injections you will need depends on your ****** features, the extent of wrinkling and the area being treated. Your doctor will determine the approximate number of treatments you will need during your consultation.

Botox treatments are usually performed in the doctor’s office and take about 10-15 minutes to complete. You may experience mild discomfort with the injections, but most patients find this to be very tolerable. These treatments will not require anesthesia.

What does it treat?

Botox is used in cosmetic surgery to treat:

• Creases in the forehead

• Crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes

• Frown lines between eyebrows and over the bridge of the nose

• Bands on the neck

It is also used to treat severe health conditions such as:

• Headaches

• Eye muscle problems

• Back pain

• Muscle spasms

• Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)

Botox is being tested for early treatment of ****** scars as well. It is believed that these treatments will reduce the long-term effects of the scars. This treatment has not yet obtained FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval.

What won’t it treat?

Not all ****** wrinkles can be treated with Botox. Sun damaged skin can not be repaired through Botox injections. The effectiveness is determined by the thickness of your skin and the amount of wrinkling you have. Botox is also not effective for lines surrounding the mouth because it would affect the muscles needed to talk and eat.

How do you prepare?

If you have decided to undergo Botox treatments you should consult a qualified cosmetic surgeon. During your initial consultation, you and the doctor will determine if this type of treatment is right for you. Factors include your medical history, your expectations, condition of your skin and your surgeon’s predictions as to the outcome of the treatments.

What are the side effects?

As with any type of cosmetic procedure, there will be some uncomfortable, but temporary side effects. These may include:

• Redness

• Pain and bruising at the injection site

• Nausea

• Headache

• Flu-like symptoms

• Facial weakness or drooping

• Possible spread of the toxin outside of the treatment area (This may cause temporary trouble swallowing, muscle weakness, slurred speech or breathing problems)

If you are considering Botox injections, seek a board certified cosmetic surgeon to perform the procedure. Be sure the doctor has experience with Botox treatments and ask a lot of questions during your consultation.