Botulinum toxin, or the famous Botox, is a protein produced by bacteria, which has the power to prevent and alleviate wrinkles and signs of aging.
Botulinum toxin, popularly known as Botoxis a protein produced by a bacterium – the Clostridium Botulinum. In the 1950s, the scientific community discovered that this protein caused a decrease in muscle action when injected into them.
The toxin prevents nervous information from reaching the muscles, to such an extent that they stop working. Doctors began using the product to weaken the facial muscles, responsible for the feared wrinkles.
There are seven different types of botulinum toxin, ranging from A to G, but only type A toxin has been approved for aesthetic use.
The botulinum toxin industry
The action of botox was first described almost thirty years ago, in 1989, by the American plastic surgeon Richard Clark, and from that year onwards the number of procedures increased drastically, at an impressive rate.
Since 2000, Botox injection has been the most common non-surgical procedure in clinics and hospitals.
To get an idea of the size of this industry, in 2012 more than 3.2 million surgeries in the United States alone. Since 1997, there has been a 4,900% increase in the number of Botox applications.
It is highly recommended for aesthetic procedures, strabismus, excessive sweating and people who suffer from chronic problems with torticollis and migraines.
How does Botox work?
In aesthetic medicine, the doses used by professionals make the procedure extremely safe. The effect has a variable duration, between 3 to 4 monthswhich can occasionally reach 6 months.
Adverse effects related to poor application or the wrong amount are the blockage of the wrong muscles and headaches.
The so-called “Anti-Aging effect” provided is fundamental, as it prevents the appearance of static wrinkles. Furthermore, it progressively weakens the muscles, making it necessary to apply less and less Botox, lasting longer and longer.
Most clients who seek aesthetic treatment do so to correct wrinkles on the forehead, cheeks and the like.
The treatment takes five minutes to perform – results begin to appear after 48 hours, stabilizing between 7 and 15 days. Recovery from the procedure is simple, allowing you to resume professional activity immediately after its application.
What to know before applying Botox?
Anyone who intends to undergo the procedure with botulinum toxin should keep some important points in mind. The first of these is to ensure that the clinic is properly licensed to practice application.
Another important point is regarding the professional who will carry out the application. The responsible doctor must have training and experience in Aesthetic Medicine.
Additionally, the product brand needs to be safe. To be sure of this point, it must be authorized for cosmetic use and there must be a signed consent form, which explains the benefits of the toxin and the risks involved in its application.
So, have you ever used Botox or know someone who has? What do you think of this aesthetic feature? Comment!
And, speaking of aesthetic interventions, you also need to check out: Plastic surgery through the SUS: find out when it is possible and how to get it.
Source: Ativo Saúde
