Botox
Botox injections are now one of the most popular cosmetic treatments in the world and there are a plethora of celebs who are rumoured as swearing by youth-keeping injections. And while it is immensely popular for aesthetic purposes, Botox is actually pretty handy for other conditions too, including stopping excessive sweat.
Botox treatment involves a non-surgical in office treatment which requires a minimal preparation. A patient’s medical history should be known to the treatment provider. The whole procedure is based on giving injections of botulinum toxin type A which takes about 10 minutes.
Botox has also emerged as a treatment for a number of medical conditions, from migraines to an overactive bladder.
People should avoid using Botox during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or if they have ever had an allergic reaction to the drug or any of its ingredients.
How does botox work?
Botox is a neurotoxin. These substances target the nervous system, disrupting the nerve signaling processes that stimulate muscle contraction. This is how the drug causes temporary muscle paralysis.
In order for any muscle to contract, the nerves release a chemical messenger called acetylcholine at the junction where nerve endings meet muscle cells. Acetylcholine attaches to receptors on the muscle cells and causes the cells to contract, or shorten.
Botox injections prevent the release of acetylcholine, which stops the muscle cells from contracting. In this way, the toxin helps the muscles to become less stiff.
Procedure:
Clinicians use Botulinum toxin by diluting the powder in saline and injecting it directly into neuromuscular tissue.
It takes 24-72 hours for the toxin to take effect. Rarely, it can take as long as 5 days for the full effects to show. They may last 3-12 months, depending on the treatment.