Botox injections are very popular these days among people who want to remedy the signs of ageing.  Botox is a purified form of type A botulinum toxin.  It is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum which is a bacterium that can cause problems such as gastrointestinal distress and muscle weakness among others.

The botulinum toxin was first used to treat certain types of facial paralysis, spasms and other nerve disorders.  Eventually specialists noticed that a small amount of botulinum toxin can cause local paralysis of muscles which are responsible for the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.  When it happened, the skin became smoother.

This exciting discovery has led to the development of botox which is now used in cosmetics.  It is a product free from harmful bacteria, is more affordable compared to the others, has fewer side effects, and can be used as needed.

Botox is injected into the muscles that create facial lines and works by blocking the release of acetycholine which is the chemical that transmits impulses from the nerve ending to the muscles.  These muscles then cease to contract thereby softening the wrinkles and giving the skin a more natural and youthful look.  The results become visible within 3-5 days after injecting.  Botox injections are administered to what are called “target” zones which include the forehead, the eyebrows, the area around the eyes, and the bridge of the nose.  These are the areas in the face where wrinkles become particularly prominent.  Botox injections are not performed around the mouth however because it would interfere with activities such as eating, smiling and laughing.

Here are the advantages of getting botox injections:

1.  The whole procedure does not take long.  There is also no need for anesthesia and the patient can resume his or her normal activities within a very short period of time after the treatment.
2. The effects become visible within 3-5 days and lasts for 3-4 months.
3. The treatment can be safely repeated and in time its effects will start to last longer.
4. It can help lessen sweating when injected in small amounts into the underarm skin or skin on the palms and soles of the hand or foot.
5. It gives the skin a better overall appearance making the patients look much younger than they actually are.

The side-effects of botox injections include:

1. Pain and bruising in the injected area.
2. Rare cases of paralysis or weakness of the muscles in the surrounding area where botox was administered.

3. Temporary headaches
4. Drooping of the eyelid (as reported by less than 1% of patients)

With the proper shot technique and extra precaution, some of these side-effects can be remedied.  Remember that the area of injection should not be exercised or massaged for 4 hours after botox has been administered. 

The following are the serious disadvantages of botox:

1. It does not allow you to fully revel in all your emotions because part of the face does not function normally.  This condition thus forces you to act in an unnatural manner.

2. The fact that some parts of the face are “frozen”, the brain sends the impulses to other muscles causing wrinkles to develop in untreated areas in the face.

The good news is that disadvantages are not common and because of this, the number of people choosing to opt for this remedy against ageing, albeit temporary, continues to rise.