Botox for Women

Although Botox has been available to the medical community for more than 25 years, it is only within the past 10 years or so that it has been widely embraced as an adjunct to cosmetic surgery.  In its previous life, Botox was used as a paralytic agent to stop blelpharospasm, an annoying condition that causes repeated spasms of the muscles around the upper and lower lids, especially in older people.  Giving just the right amount to stop the spasms by paralyzing the obicularis occuli muscles without giving too much and stopping the action of the levator muscle of the upper lid was sometimes tricky.  It became obvious that the use of Botox also removed “crows feet” when the treated person smiled.  With that, Botox for cosmetic use was born.

“BOTOX® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA)

for injection, is a sterile, vacuum-dried purified botulinum toxin type A, produced from fermentation of Hall strain Clostridium botulinum type A grown in a medium containing casein hydrolysate, glucose, and yeast extract, intended for intramuscular use. It is purified from the culture solution by dialysis and a series of acid precipitations to a complex consisting of the neurotoxin, and several accessory proteins. The complex is dissolved in sterile sodium chloride solution containing Albumin Human and is sterile filtered (0.2 microns) prior to filling and vacuum-drying”, according to the website of Allergan Corporation, the maker of Botox.  Essentially, Botox is a paralytic agent that stops muscle fiber contraction when the material is placed in contact with the muscle.  Its effect is local but Botox may spread to areas outside of the point of injection, especially if more than the recommended amount is injected.  Botox lasts a long time, 3 to 6 months or so, and for that reason should you get a complication such as a paralyzed levator muscle, the upper lid will not open and that will continue for months until the medicine wears off.  There is no way to reverse the effect.

Most people dislike frown lines, those vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows caused by . . . frowning.  Botox stops the muscles from contracting that cause these wrinkles.  Therefore, no wrinkles for several months.  The same is true for wrinkles of the forehead and, as mentioned, “crows feet” about the eyes.  Some other areas can be treated, neck cords, excessive sweating under the arms.

Like anything else, Botox can be overdone.  You have only to look at the TV on any given day to see examples of this.  Botox is not for nasolabial folds, those lines that run down from the side of the nose toward the mouth and on to the jaw.  Paralyzing muscles in this area will only prevent you from smiling.  Paralyzing the muscles about the mouth to get rid of vertical lip lines will produce an unnatural static look that could only be attractive to someone standing on an awards show red carpet.

Used judiciously (especially in men) and in the right areas, Botox is a superior adjunct in  temporary aesthetic changes to the face and neck.

 

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