A Short but Informative Introduction to Botox Treatment

In this age and time it is very obvious to have heard the term ‘Botox’. It is a neurotoxin made from the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. These days, Botox or Botulinum toxin is widely used not only to treat certain muscular conditions but also to enhance one’s aesthetic appeal and cosmetic beauty. A skincare specialist in Edmonton explains, Botox works by temporarily paralysing the muscles to erase those age-revealing fine lines and wrinkles from your skin surface. 

As a safe and reliable destination for Botox treatment, Dr. Jarret Morrow Clinic in Edmonton requires no introduction. This skincare practice has towering success rate over the years in handling Botox cases.  Renowned dermatologists associated with this skincare clinic will discuss certain crucial aspects in the following paragraphs that are relevant to this revolutionary anti-ageing treatment.

But before everything else, let’s get some facts cleared.

Botox treatment facts

• Botox is a neuro-toxin. It is derived from a naturally found, non-toxic bacterium named Clostridium Botulinum. 
• Botox treatment is not one of the most rather, the most popular skincare treatment in non-surgical category.
• As many as over 6 million Botox cases are handled every year.
• Apart from anti-ageing solution, Botox also caters to problems like migraine, excessive sweating, certain disorders of the muscles, bladder and bowel. 
• One of the side-effects of botulinum toxin is botulism – a medical condition that causes respiratory failure and it often proves fatal.
• Only 2 kilograms of botulinum toxin can annihilate the entire population on earth.

Now that we have gathered certain important facts, let us now discuss what exactly botox treatment is.

Botox – an introduction

The bacterium clostridium botulinum is widely found in lakes, forests and soil. It is also present in the intestines of certain fishes and mammals. Moreover, it is also found in certain species of crabs and shellfish.  The bacterium itself is harmless. But once it starts producing the toxin, it becomes deadly for man. As a neurotoxin, the product targets the human nervous system and disrupts the signalling process in the nerves. 

Botulinum toxin is a strict no-no for women, who are pregnant or breastfeeding their babies. It is also out of reach for those allergic to drugs. Administering botox requires special skill sets. The toxin in powdered form is diluted in a saline solution. This mixture is injected directly into the neuromuscular tissue below the skin. The effect of the treatment usually starts from 24 to 72 hours after being injected. 

Botox – application in treatment

Apart from its negative side-effect, botulinum toxin also qualifies as a therapeutic protein. This makes it priceless in the world of medicine, explain the experts at the Dr. Jarret Morrow clinic.

When this toxin is injected in very precise quantity into human body, it just stops the signals coming from the nerve cells from reaching the muscles. In other words the toxin paralyses the muscles to receive the signals.

With the aim to make the muscles contract, the nerves release a chemical or a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is released exactly at the junction or the meeting point of the nerve endings and the muscle tissues.  The released acetylcholine connects itself with the receptors present on the muscle cells or tissues, leading to contraction of the muscles.

When botulinum toxin gets injected, it stops the release of the neurotransmitter in form of acetylcholine. This in turn prevents the muscle cells to get contracted. 

This is how the botulinum toxin reduces abnormal contraction of muscles in your body. 

Applications of botulinum toxin

• A wide range of cosmetic surgeries is performed using Botox injections.
• Botox is used to erase out wrinkles and fine lines from the skin surface.
• It is also used to resolve the problem of fine lines and wrinkles on the face.
• Apart from the aesthetic applications mentioned above, botulinum also finds its application in treating various medical conditions including migraine, leaky bladder, squint eye and excessive sweating.

Therapeutic applications of Botox are as following: 

Botulinum injection is used in various therapies to cure problems like chronic migraine, spasm of the eyelids, neck and the shoulder muscle. It also cures the problem of excessive sweating, rehabilitating patients after strokes. The toxin proves effective in resolving overactive bladder, crow’s feet or canthal lines, frown lines in between the eyebrows or glabellar lines. 

It is also prescribed for hay fever or allergic rhinitis, sialorrhea (a condition in which one produces excessive saliva in the mouth) and achalasia (a condition in the throat that makes swallowing difficult). Doctors at a renowned botox clinic in Edmonton mention that the toxin is available in the market under different names, like Dysport, , Xeomin, Bocouturen (all 3 are Type A toxin) Myobloc (whereas, it is Type B toxin) and others. 

Botox injections are also available at many cosmetic clinics. It is important to note that you should always get the injection administered only by a qualified doctor – be it dermatologist, cosmetic surgeon or from any other discipline of medicine. 

When a qualified doctor administers your Botox treatment, you get the precise dosage and there’re less chances of any unwanted flare up. Remember this whenever you decide to have a dramatic rejuvenation therapy powered by Botox.