Botox® acts to relax the muscles that cause wrinkles such as frown lines. A very fine needle is used to inject the toxin in the required area. Although some mild side effects to the treatment are often reported several days after treatment, the wrinkle busting action normally lasts for several months before the patient begins to regain their undesired finer features!
Above left : Shows patients face before treatment with Botox®, Above right : Same patient after treatment.
Fading of the effects is primarily caused by the production of nerve sprouts, that eventually grow to form new neuron – muscle junctions, and hence restore wrinkle muscle functionality. This is the same mechanism responsible for the general muscular recovery from Botulinum Toxin paralysis, resulting from a non lethal case of Botulism (e.g. the recovery of a lung from inhalation contracted Botulism).
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The two pictures above shown in sequence shows how the toxic effect is removed with time - Left: Nerve sprouting, Right: Formation of new neuromuscular junction. The process occurs over the course of several weeks.
Other target areas for cosmetic Botox® treatments include eye wrinkles, wrinkled upper lips and necklines.
Such treatment offers a cheap and less painful alternative to surgery. Although long-term usage is generally accepted to be safe, repeat treatment is often observed to be progressively less effective as the body responds to the toxin (that is a protein) by forming antibodies to it.
Above left : Shows patients face before treatment with Botox®, Above right : Same patient after treatment, with much reduced appearance of 'crows feet'.
