Botox: Does It Work?

Botox is a neurotoxin protein produced by the same bacterium as Clostridium botulinum, a type of Gram negative bacteria. It prevents the discharge of the neurotransmitter acetylcholinam from nerve endings in the neuromuscular juncture, thereby causing temporary flaccid paralysis, or botulism, in patients who have a form of botulism already. The toxin, botulinum toxin, induces this condition by damaging the nerves in the muscle of the affected part, which causes muscle weakness, muscle spasms, and even partial paralysis. Botox injections are the most common treatment for this condition.

However, there are also several disadvantages to using botox. First of all, it causes a mild anesthetic effect, which makes the patient sleepy during the treatment. Also, botox injections are known to have a very low success rate (under 10 percent), even if they succeed in blocking some of the nerves that are damaged in the process. In addition, botox has a very high potential for causing allergic reactions, especially in those individuals whose skin is highly sensitive to other chemical substances. Also, botox is extremely expensive.

One reason why botox has become more popular in recent years is that it can be used to treat several different problems. Because of this, dermatologists have started to use it combined with dermal fillers like Restylane and Juvederm to treat wrinkles, droopy eyelids, fine lines and crow’s feet around the eyes, hyaluronic acid lines, spider veins, nasolabial folds, and facial pomade laxatives. These treatments will all increase the flow of blood in the affected area, causing the wrinkles and other problems to fade away, sometimes in a matter of weeks. Botox is most commonly used for the treatment of facial wrinkles, but it is also used to reduce the appearance of atherosclerotic arthritis in the neck or hands, treat cerebral palsy, treat migraine headaches, treat bladder and colorectal cancer, treat meningitis, ulcerative colitis, and certain forms of stroke.