BOTOX®

Often described by clients and medical practitioners alike as the new "fountain of youth," BOTOX® is the brand name for Botulinum Toxin Type A. It is a protein complex produced by the bacterium "clostridium botulinum," the same bacterium that causes the form of food poisoning known as botulism. BOTOX®, however, is a purified form of this bacterium and was developed by dermatologists in 1980 to treat muscle disorders such as uncontrolled blinking and was later put to cosmetic uses for the first time in 1987.

Nowadays, BOTOX® is being used primarily to treat so-called frown lines, crows feet, turkey neck, and other wrinkles and fine lines that tend to accumulate over time and are the result of years of squinting and frowning. Such wrinkles, unfortunately, aside from being tell-tale signs of aging, also have the tendency to make one appear tired, angry, or sad even when one may not be feeling this way at any given moment. On the other hand, since these lines are the result of muscle contraction, they can be mended by rendering the muscle under the skin weak or inactive. BOTOX® works on wrinkles by doing exactly that and results are seen just a few days following the procedure. This process then allows the skin to return to its natural position without the unnecessary strain of the muscles and unpleasant appearance of wrinkles.

Presently, and for good reason, BOTOX® treatments are the fastest-growing sector of the cosmetic surgery industry. More and more people are turning to BOTOX® for a safe and effective alternative to actual plastic surgery. Botulinum Toxin Type A has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). When injected, in small doses, into muscles just below the surface of the skin, BOTOX® works to bind to the nerve endings and block the release of a chemical known as acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is the very chemical that "tells" the muscle when to contract. Therefore, when acetylcholine is blocked, the muscle does not contract and remains relaxed. Since the muscle is relaxed, the skin above the muscle also remains relaxed, flat, and smooth. This smooth surface lasts roughly three to four months before the muscle recovers some of its original strength and begins to contract again. The patient will notice as well that even though the muscle has begun to work again, that the lines that return are not as deep as they originally were. Moreover, new lines will not be formed either. Also, due to BOTOX®'s fast-acting nature, optimal results can be seen a mere week after injection.

It is always important to remember, when considering BOTOX®, or any other dermatological procedure, to go to a professional medical practitioner, such as a dermatologist, for treatment. The setting for such a procedure should be a clinic with qualified and accredited professionals administering the treatment. Under these conditions, the consumer is guaranteed to receive safe and effective treatment and minimize the potential for misuse of the product.

Due to its success rate, many pleased clients, and general word of mouth, BOTOX® is becoming increasingly popular. It's the ideal form of treatment for those who do not wish to face the risk of surgery, do not have the time to undergo complicated procedures, and are satisfied with being treated for a few minutes every three to four months. Plus, since it is not as radical as surgery, the anti-aging process that BOTOX® causes appears natural so that those around you will comment on your more and more youthful appearance but will never suspect that your secret to success is BOTOX®. That is, of course, unless you tell them.

BOTOX® is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc