Botox ®
Discover Botulinum Toxin
Botulinum Toxin is an exotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum and occurs naturally in nature.
Botox (Botulinum Toxin A) is a purified protein derivative that relaxes muscles.
What It Is?
- The simplicity and safety of Botulinum Toxin A treatments are among its most compelling attributes. Its cosmetic use demands a thorough understanding of facial muscles and the neurotoxin, as well as a sound understanding of proper injection technique.
- The message for a muscle to contract is mediated via a chemical transmitter (messenger substance) called Acetylcholine (Ach).
- After injecting Botulinum Toxin A, the release of Ach is blocked (“roadblock” for Ach). The muscle therefore does not contract.
- Due to the muscle not exercising, the muscle bulk decreases over time. There is no direct damage to the muscle (or sweat gland, if done for Hyperhidrosis).
- If injections are discontinued, the muscle action will resume over time.
- Regular injections, however, lead to long-term gain due to the fact that the muscle becomes smaller. Botulinum Toxin A has been proven to improve the texture of overlying skin and is locally acting. Botulinum Toxin A is also an extremely effective treatment for excessive sweating (primary focal hyperhidrosis).
Who Can Use It?
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding or have diseases of muscular weakness (myasthenia gravis, etc.) you should not be receiving botulinum toxins.
How Often Should You Use It?
- The normal duration is 3-4 months.
- However, due to loss of habit and decreasing muscle bulk, the duration of action may increase over time, making less frequent treatments possible.
- The duration for hyperhidrosis (excess sweating) is longer – on average 7 months for armpits.