Botox® Cosmetic Related Terms:
Botox, Botulinum Tixin A, Collagen Injections, Collagen, Cosmetic Surgery, Face Procedures, Hylaform, Injectable Fillers, Juvederm, Mesotherapy Skin, Neurotoxin, Plastic Surgery, Restylane, Skin Procedures, Wrinkle Treatment
The commercial name of a botolinum toxin is botox®. Its main action is to selectively paralyze the muscles which case wrinkles by excessive contraction.
Its first use was by an American ophthalmologist in treating strabismus; later on it became a common practice in neurology, plastic surgery and in treating excessive sweating.
Today there are two preparations available: BOTOX, which is manufactured in USA and has FDA approval for use in plastic surgery and DISPORT which is manufactured in England. The level of toxin is similar between the two and most surgeons agree that there is no significant difference between them. Although, FDA's approval of the BOTOX makes is more popular and widely used than with DISPORT.
It can be injected into the following:
The glabelar muscles of the forehead, which gives an "angry look".
The orbicularis oculi, which creates wrinkles around the eyes.
The frontalis, which creates the wrinkles of the forehead.
The injection itself takes a few minutes. The surgeon uses a special syringe and injects a small amount of botox to the muscles involved. Men usually require larger amount, due to larger muscles. The effect takes place after a day or two and reaches its maximal effect after 10 days. The pain involving the injection is usually well tolerated by most of the patients, so there is no need for local anesthetics. In selected cases a sedative drug or local anesthetics may be used.