Botox – Is It Really Safe?

Botox is seemingly all the rage when it comes to personal beauty and age fighting cosmetic treatments, but botched treatments performed by unskilled, unlicensed non-doctors have left some wondering if they are truly safe. As with any cosmetic procedure, before you opt for these injections, you need to be certain they are what you need and they are safe.

One common misconception about Botox is that it is an injection of botulism, and therefore unsafe. This misconception comes from the fact that the injection is actually botulinum toxin A, which is one of the neurotoxins that can cause botulism. The toxin has the ability to attach itself to the nerve ending, blocking the release of acetylcholine, which is the neurotransmitter that contracts muscles. In food poisoning victims, this can lead to paralysis, and even death. When the muscles in the chest, for instance, are inhibited through the neurotoxin, the individual struggles to breathe, which can be fatal.

It’s no wonder with this fact in mind that some people question the safety of using this neurotoxin as a cosmetic treatment. However, the way in which it works is exactly why it works for cosmetic patients. By injecting muscles near wrinkles with the neurotoxin, the muscles are unable to contract. This means that they cannot wrinkle.

However, there is a question as to the safety of this treatment. So far, Botox treatment has proven to be fairly safe, when performed by a qualified physician. By injecting the neurotoxin into specific muscle areas, such as the muscles surrounding the eyes that are responsible for crows’ feet, and slightly paralyzing those muscles, you can realistically fight wrinkles.

The neurotoxin is dangerous if it spreads to more vital muscle groups, like the muscles responsible for breathing. However, the risk of the toxin spreading from the muscle it is injected into to other muscle groups throughout the body is very slim.

There are some side effects possible after Botox treatment. Some patients will experience dystonia, which is a condition where abnormal tension in the tissue impairs voluntary movement of that area. Back pain can also occur, as can bruising or soreness of the area. Nausea, headache, neck pain, and upper respiratory-tract infections have all been reported. These side effects are uncomfortable and may inhibit a normal lifestyle for a few days, but they are not generally considered dangerous.

More serious side effects, like facial paralysis, can happen. These are more likely to occur when the product is administered incorrectly, such as when it is administered in a spa environment instead of by a licensed healthcare practitioner. The best way to ward against these problems is to be sure that you see a doctor.

Patients who do experience these unusual side effects from Botox benefit from the fact that the effect of treatment is temporary. A droopy lip or eyelid after treatment will go away when the treatment wears off. In general, when performed by a qualified physician, this treatment for wrinkles is both safe and effective, offering long lasting results for men and women who are ready to look their best.

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