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How does Botox work?
We have all heard about the great results that we get from Botox, right? The smooth forehead, no more frown lines and less crow’s feet. I mean, what’s not to love about that? But how do a few tiny injections do all that?
Well, here’s how: -
The Science bit
The active property in Botox is called botulinum toxin. This is a pharmaceutical product, so does need to be respected as a medicine.
Botulinum toxin works by inactivating neurotransmitters (chemical signals) that stimulate muscles to contract.
The neurotransmitter in question is called acetylcholine which plays an important role in muscle action amongst many other things. Anything that influences the action of this chemical signal, like Botox for example, will cause temporary movement disruption.
Although acetylcholine is essential for many bodily functions, we know that by injecting small doses of botulinum toxin into certain facial muscles, the reduction in chemical signalling produces a safe and beneficial aesthetic effect.
Botulinum toxin has been around in the world of medicine for a very long time and was initially used for the treatment of an eye squint. It also plays an important role in treated migraines, sweating and overactive bladders to name a few.
It was first licensed for cosmetic used in the early 90’s.
A lot of people mistakenly think Botox can fill in lines and wrinkles, but this is a misconception. Botox does not have any filling capacity, unlike dermal fillers.
It is the deactivation of overactive muscles that products the smoothing effect.
Botox doesn’t actually “wear off” as such. It has done its job within a few days. The results you see are due to the inactivation of chemical signals and the resulting weakening of the muscle.
Botox is not designed to target wrinkles per se but is designed to relax the muscles that cause wrinkles to develop.
The effects will wear off anywhere between 3 and 4 months on average, when the chemical signals are back to work.
Once the neurotransmitters are back in action, the treated muscles go back to their pre-treatment state. At this stage, you may decide to have further treatment, but this is entirely optional.
Many people choose to have the occasional treatment before wrinkles begin to develop (typically in our late 20’s).
Using Botox as a precautionary treatment in this way can considerably reduce the number of treatments needed and can save ££’s in the long run.
It is extremely important that only genuine botulinum toxin is used and is administered in the correct doses to the correct muscles. It is also essential that you have a consultation with a prescribing medical professional before treatment.
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