BOTOX: WRINKLE WARRIOR OR EXPRESSIVE ENIGMA??
In recent years, as beauty industry is on rise, we see people looking younger as age. Thanx to the advancement in beauty industry. But everything comes with a cost! Lets see all the facts about BOTOX, a controversial yet a very much in demand product.
Watch the video or read the text.
HOW IS IT MADE?
Botox is a toxin derived from a bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum. Now don’t be scared with that information, because the dose used for injections are not the dose required to cause infection. But yes, in infective dose botulinum toxin is one of the most lethal toxins, which can even lead to death.
SKIN AGEING
Since here we are going to deal with Botox’s effect on ageing skin, lets see in short what causes wrinkle and fine lines appearance. Ageing is a product of internal and external factors. Here, we will deal with internal factor related to botox treatment.
So, when we are younger, our skin is elastic and goes back to normal state, with disappearance of any lines that may form during expressions. This happens due to collagen and elastin (proteins found between cells which maintain cell elasticity). As we age, these proteins are damaged slowly. This change may be exaggerated by various causes like sunexposure, unhealthy food, etc.
As skin loses elasticity, lines which used to go back, stay in place. These lines initially appear with various expressions of our face, but, later stay permanently. For these lines to form, we use the muscles underlying our skin.
We have different muscles in our face, which help in different functions of our face, like smiling, closing or opening eyes, chewing, etc. So the lesser these muscles are used, lesser the lines will form with expressions. BUT THAT’S NOT IN OUR HANDS! And that’s where the Botox comes into play!
HOW BOTOX WORKS?
As discussed above, Botox stops the contraction of muscles. In muscles, there are various nerve endings, which sends signal for muscle to contract. For this signalling, it uses a chemical called acetylcholine (ACh). This ACh is stored in nerve endings, from where its released and it enters muscle and orders it to contract.
Botox stops the ACh secretion in nerves. Thus, the underlying muscle can not contract. .
AREAS WHERE BOTOX ARE USUALLY GIVEN
- Frown lines or forehead lines: Frown lines are lines seen in between the 2 eyebrows. It is the most commonly injected area.
- Crow feet: line which radiate from outer corners of eyes.
- Marionette line: line which radiates from corner of mouth, down to the chin. It gives sagging mouth appearance.
- Can help to lift sagging eyebrows, giving it a slightly arched appearance.
- Can help in defining jawline or reducing double chin or round chin, to give it a slightly lifted appearance.
- Lines in neck.
HOW IS BOTOX GIVEN?
Remember, Botox is naturally a lethal toxin. But it is safe if used by trained hands and in right dose.
Dose is calculated by specialist depending upon your skin and age. It is injected very carefully with the tiniest needle, into the area of concern. Post that, a cold press is applied to decrease pain and bruising.
Depending upon the area needed to cover and dose, the dose is repeated. Its a short procedure and you can go back home after taking your injection. You may be asked to wait there for a while to check for any adverse reaction.
DANGERS OF BOTOX
ASSYMETRY OF FACE
There are multiple small muscles in face, located adjacent to each other. Hence, while injecting into one particular muscle, rarely, a close by muscle may be injected or Botox may “leak” into it.
For example, while injecting frown lines (see above), rarely, adjacent eye muscles may be involved. This can cause paralyzing effect of Botox on eye muscles, and that can lead to drooping of that side of eyelid. Similarly, other muscles may be involved depending upon the location of injection, and can cause unintentional paralysis of some other muscle. This will last for approximately 3 to 6 months, depending upon how long effect of Botox lasts on you.
This is the most dreaded side effect of Botox. But is rare in hands of trained professionals.
Another way we can be responsible for this, is by rubbing the injection site, which causes the injection to move slightly to adjoining muscles as well. The frown areas and eyes have very small muscles, lying next to each other and, hence, these are the commonest muscles to get involved. So, post injection, its advised to not rub the injection site
VISION
As the adjoining eye muscle can get affected (as discussed above), it cause to other problems in vision like blurring of vision. The effect is temporary and improves as the level of Botox decreases in body.
EXPENSIVE/ HIDDEN EXPENSE
This may not be a concern for the many people. But there are factors, which can increase the cost in long run. Lets have a look at all the facts.
Cost of Botox is dose dependent. It can vary according to the area that needs to be covered.
Effect of Botox lasts only 3 to 6 months, depending upon your body. Then again you will need to repeat the procedure.
Most important concern is that your body can recognize Botox as foreign material and start producing antibodies. This usually occur long time after you have started getting this treatment. The antibodies can destroy the Botox molecule and diminish its effect. Depending upon the level of the antibodies, the dose may need to be increased to produce the same effect. Also, the duration when you need the repeat dose may decrease gradually. This is hidden expense and problem you may not be prepared to deal with!
NEED OF REPEAT INJECTIONS
As discussed above, one injection of Botox will last only 3 to 6 month. Duration will depend upon different individual. Also, the effect of Botox is seen completely after around 2 weeks. This may be worrisome for those with needle phobias!
OTHER IMMEDIATE AND MINOR ISSUES
- Headache – may start soon after treatment and usually, self improves in few days or hours.
- Pain at injection site
- Bruising at injection site
WHO CANNOT RECEIVE BOTOX
- Those with bleeding problems– as Botox can increase the chance of bruising/ bleeding
- Those on medications which act as blood thinners (like aspirin)
- Those with neuromuscular diseases (disease in which nerve or muscle weakness is there like myasthenia gravis)
People with other long term illnesses like diabetes, need to be evaluated by their doctors and it may be safe for them to receive Botox, if their disease is well controlled and if their doctor gives the approval.
Therefore, its important to let the healthcare professional know about any illness or medication that you are using.
CONCLUSION
Remember, if unlucky, you may face the above mentioned problems. But these are rare, and, we have millions walking around us who are receiving this treatment without facing any major issues.
The decision to get Botox or not, is yours. If it boosts your confidence or helps in your professional or personal growth, get it done. Similarly, if you are confident in your skin and just want to let your skin age naturally, take care of your skin, diet and health.
To get “botox-ed” or not should be your choice!