Botulinum toxin (Botox) is a medicine produced by the bacteria that very rarely cause food poisoning if ingested. It is a protein which weakens and inactivates the muscles by blocking the neuro-muscular junction in the area into which it is injected.

In 1973 Botox was used a a treatment for patients with crossed eyes. By weakening the overactive eye muscle, this medicine provided an alternative to expensive surgical procedure. After this Botox was used for other eye disorders including nystagmus and blephrospasm etc.

Neurologists too use this medicine and now have become the mainstay of non-surgical therapy for spasmodic neck muscles, spasmodic laryngeal muscles, writer’s cramp, certain tremors, tics, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and facial spasms.

Safety

While Botox is very potent in a high concentration, it is used in very small quantities with high margins of safety. After a muscle is injected its effects are not seen for 48 hours and complete effects may not be seen for 2-weeks. A safety feature of Botox is that complete recovery of the muscle occurs with time. This is possible due to body’s ability to repair itself with the formation of new transmitters which allow re-activation of the muscle.

Crease lines and wrinkles are a natural process of aging due to a combination of aging, sun damage, gravity and muscle action of laughing, talking, frowning and crying.

Botox For Frown Lines

Frown lines are the vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows and result from over-active muscles. These muscles are used when concentrating. By drawing the eyebrows inwards, one expresses anger, confusion and anxiety. Repeated often enough, permanent skin crease develop even when relaxed. Neutralization of these overactive brow muscles helps eliminate these negative appearances.

Botox For Crow’s Feet

Wrinkles radiating from the corner of the eyes caused by smiling, laughing or squinting are especially distressing to some individuals. Previously no reasonable medical or surgical slotion improved this problem due to very strong underlying muscles. Botox has proved to be effective at preventing the recurrence of wrinkles by inhibiting the underlying muscles.

Horizontal Forehead Lines

Some individuals use different muscles for raising the eyebrows; others “talk” with their forehead. A diluted Botox injection is used when treating the horizontal forehead lines.

How painful are the injections?

The smallest 30G needles are used and the medicine itself does not sting as much. Little pain is experienced by people.

What should be expected after Botox Therapy?

Botox is a very safe therapeutic agent for wrinkles. Complications have been minor and short-lived. Bruising may occur at the injection site and a brief pain or headache may follow. Ice prevents bruising. Muscle weakness may be first noted at 24hours; its effects are not immediate.

How long does Botox lasts?

Successful therapy is signaled by muscle weakness that may begin 24 – 48 hours after the injection with a peak at 10-days. Muscle paralysis after the injection lasts between 3 – 7 months depending on the site of injection.

How often is re-injection needed?

Re-injection is suggested every 4-5 months to keep the muscle paralysed and allow furrows to completely smooth out.

What are alternatives to Botox?

Filling agents like fat, collagen and hyaluronic acid are commonly used. Re-surfacing procedures with acids or lasers; and face lifting procedures.

What can be done for the drooping eyelids if this occur?

Drooping of the eyelid of one or both the eyes is a temporary side-effect and occurs in about 1% of the injected patients. This may persist from for few days to 2 weeks. To minimize this side-effect the patient should sit up-right for 3-4 hours after the injection. Special eye-drops may also be prescribed if the patient is distressed by this condition.