Botox

Botox is most commonly used for cosmetic purposes to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Botulinum toxin is used as a treatment to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles and fine lines. Apart from aesthetic indications, Botox is used to treat a variety of medical conditions.

Botulinum toxin is currently approved for the following indications:

• Blepharospasm (spasm of the eyelids).
• Hemifacial spasm.
• Glabellar lines (frown lines between the eyebrows).
• Canthal lines (crow's feet).
• Oromandibular dystonia (forceful contraction of the jaw, face, and/or tongue).

Procedure

Botulinum toxin is administered by diluting the powder in saline and injecting it directly into muscle. It takes 24-72 hours for its effect. In very rare circumstances, it may take as long as 5 days for the full effect of botulinum toxin to be seen.

Botulinum toxin should not be used in pregnant or lactating women, or by people who have had a previous allergic reaction to the drug or any of its ingredients.

Risks and Side Effects

Possible side effects of a Botox injection include migraines, nausea, double vision, and general malaise.

Injections with botulinum toxin are generally well tolerated. In rare cases, an individual may have a mild, transient unusual response to the drug. Around 1 percent of people receiving injections of botulinum toxin type A develop antibodies to the toxin that make subsequent treatments ineffective.

Botulinum toxin may cause some unwanted effects. These can include:

• Mild pain, local edema and/or erythema at the injection site.
• Numbness.
• Headache.
• Malaise - feeling generally unwell.
• Nausea.