Botox: Are Botox Injections Safe?
April 29, 2008 – 4:45 pmThe cosmetic effects that botox achieves are those surrounding age reduction; there are many myths about what it is and before a person starts a course, it is worth finding out more information. Despite its recent rise to fame, the original research into this product is a few decades old. The first research into Botulinum toxin was carried out over five decades ago; researchers were looking into methods to treat neurological problems in people.
A few decades later after much research, the FDA granted permission for it to be used medically and the first patients to make use of the drug were those with eye conditions; some of these included patients with excessive, involuntary blinking and for those suffering with crossed eyes plus, on occasion, wrinkles. In the year 2000 it was approved to treat cervical dystonia; this eases the pain from serious contractions in the shoulders and neck, but it was also given the ok to be used on another more unusual eye condition. In their research, doctors discovered that Botox softened the frown lines between the eyebrows; it was after this discovery that it officially came into existence and was FDA approved for cosmetic use in 2002.
Botox paralyses the muscles that cause wrinkles keeping them in a relaxed state; after a number of treatments the lines start to lessen. The lines will to the casual observer, disappear but the same process can now be used on laughter lines around the eyes and forehead lines as well. The form used in these injections is one that has been cleaned up and diluted, posing no threat; this same botulism can make us very ill but when use in cosmetic surgery it is a purified form the Botulinum toxin.
Unfortunately, lines and creases form whenever we laugh (especially as we get older) or make any other facial gesture; they are caused by muscles contracting. After years of making these expressions the wear and tear on your face begins to be noticeable and the lines start to become permanent; many ’skin age reduction cream’ manufacturers have tried to produce creams that reduce facial line but this is the only treatment that works, currently. Because botox paralyzes the facial muscles, normal movement, expressions and gestures are almost impossible to make; people who have regular treatment often look as though they are dummies because they cannot smile properly or make other facial gestures that we tend to rely on.
Whilst the face can still provide expressions, they are seriously reduced but this give the effect of someone looking much younger than they really are. Whilst popular this cosmetic treatment is still very expensive for what it is; this is why it has been coined as something only celebrities have performed because the least expensive injection can still cost upwards of 300 dollars to in excess of 1,000 dollars. There is always some concern about new treatments and botox is no exception with many people worried about the long term effects of injections, but even so this has not stopped its popularity.
Tags: Beauty
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