Botox Injections

For some time now there has been a great deal of fuss over people getting Botox injections for everything from a sagging chin to a droopy eyelid; the problem lies in the general misconception about the cosmetic effect it creates.

To understand exactly what it is and does, we first have to look at just how this amazing miracle of modern science came to be. Botulinum toxin was first researched back in the 1960's; originally the purpose of this was to treat neurological disorders.

It wasn't until around 1989 that the Federal Drug Administration agreed to allow its use in medical procedures to help people with disorders of the eye; some of these included patients with excessive, involuntary blinking and for those suffering with crossed eyes plus, on occasion, wrinkles.

In the year 2000 was given the all clear for the of treatment cervical dystonia. this is where severe neck and shoulder contractions were causing discomfort to a number of people, but other eye conditions were included in this approval.

However, it was the discovery of the effect botox had on reducing frown lines that finally changed things; after further tests in 2002 the FDA allowed it to be used for the first cosmetic enhancement and the drug finally had a new field of use.

Now, botox is injected into a number of areas, one of which is the forehead to help lessen the effect of years of muscle use that causes a frown; in time frown lines gradually soften and subside if sufficient treatments are given.

If this procedure is continued, in many instances the lines will soften so much they will seem to disappear; now the same procedure is used on other areas of the face where lines form, generally with age.

The injections are a purified and watered down version of the sometimes fatal Botulinum poison; Botulinum toxin can be deadly and at the very least make us unwell but when it is used in cosmetic procedures it is safe.

The problem is that when we laugh, cry or frown for example, lines and wrinkles appear caused by the muscles that have helped create the expression; these injections can help eliminate those lines.

After years of making these expressions the wear and tear on your face begins to be noticeable and the lines start to become permanent; when these creases become permanent, no kind of skin cream can get rid of them but this treatment can eliminate them temporarily.

Botox paralyzes the facial muscles which means everyday expressions we use in communication and take for granted cannot be made; these treatments provide the user with a facial surface that is smooth and often referred to as looking like a dummy or mannequin.

Whilst the face can still provide expressions, they are seriously reduced but this give the effect of someone looking much younger than they really are. However, this cosmetic treatment is still expensive; with injections in the low to very high hundreds of dollars each, it looks to remain expensive for some time to come.

It may be a few years yet before we see the result of long term use of botox but that doesn't seem to concern those people who are using it at this moment.

Charlotte Freeman.

Source: http://www.feelofbeauty.com

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