I saw a show on TV wherein the topic is all about the uses of Botox injection. I have heard the basics of this non-surgical cosmetic procedure and from what I know, the Botox serum is injected into a muscle and it is supposed to paralyze it so that wrinkles and facial lines would not form. It also lessens the appearance of existing lines. A skin treatment that is often done on the face, the result is taut, wrinkle-free, youthful looking skin. The advancements in medical science have revolutionized the way people approach skin care. The perception of what is beautiful in society today has greatly influenced the attitude of men and women in terms of the time and money they exert into improving their physical appearance.

Skin care has truly surpassed the realms of topical creams and home remedies. According to statistics released by the American Society of Aesthetic Surgery, there were over 10.2 million recorded cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures performed in the United States in 2008. Botox was the number one non-surgical treatment in terms of number of procedures performed tallying at 2,464,123. The people who are considered the best candidates for Botox injection are those who have frown lines and crow’s feet. Physician’s fee usually clocks in at $382, the length of procedure is around 30 minutes, and the result is temporary as one has to go back for a repeat treatment every four to six months but anyone who has had the injection can immediately go back to normal, everyday routine.

The Botox 411

What is Botox anyway? Why has this skin treatment become so popular among Hollywood celebrities and non-celebrities alike? Here is the 411 on this wonder serum which has taken the skin care world by storm.

According to the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery, in April 2002, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Botox Cosmetic for the treatment of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows or what is medically known as glabellar lines. It is also used on crow’s feet, forehead creases and on the bands of the neck. While the more popular use of Botox is for cosmetic purposes, it is actually used to treat neurological disorders such as cervical dystonia or severe neck muscle spasm, and excessive sweating. If you are blaming all the brands of deodorant in the world for not being good enough to prevent your underarm perspiration, then you might want consult a physician instead. Millions of people around the world have the problem of excessive sweating and Botox has been considered a viable treatment. The serum is injected to areas like the armpit and palm of the hands where embarrassing sweating has become extremely bothersome.

Botox is derived from bacterium Clostridium botulinum and is known to be very toxic. However, if administered in small doses, it can treat muscle spasms and cause controlled weakening. There have been many debates as to the safety of Botox in medical use. There have been reports of hospitalizations and deaths among people who have been given Botox injections, however, doctors maintain that Botox is extremely safe. Because of the reports the FDA has issued a black box warning on the labeling of Botox for the risks of encountering potentially life-threatening complications if the serum is not properly administered and spreads beyond the area of injection. According to Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery, the FDA action affects Botox and Botox Cosmetic both sold by Allergan, Myobloc sold by Solstice Neuroscience, and the recently approved brand Dysport, marketed by Ipsen.

A Safe Procedure

We will not be able to guess the real age of some celebrities who have undergone Botox injection. It is so popular in Hollywood especially for those who want to remain young-looking and hide the signs of the years. While some actresses prefer to age with grace and choose not to have anything injected into their iconic faces, others shamelessly admit that they have Botox injected because somehow, this non-surgical cosmetic procedure is widely accepted and causes little news (or gossip!) on the tabloids unlike breast implants or liposuction.

It is extremely important for anyone who plans to undergo Botox injection to do necessary research. Find an appropriate doctor who will do the job of assessing whether you are a good candidate for Botox, and who will subsequently perform the procedure. The main contention of whether or not Botox is safe stemmed from cases of children with cerebral palsy who suffered from adverse reactions after being injected with Botox. However, according to the different organizations of plastic and cosmetic surgeons in the United States, Botox is safe. Otherwise, half of Beverly Hills would be dead by now right?!

It is extremely important that you get Botox injection from a reputable doctor and a known brand. The serum must be injected in a controlled dosage as the primary suspect for negative complications is overdose of the toxic product. Still, you must not neglect any sign or symptom that there is a serious problem.

We all want skin that looks young and vibrant and there is nothing wrong with wanting that! There are many articles and literature dedicated to explaining Botox products and procedure on the Internet, medical journals and your beauty magazine. Have a read before you make that decision to see your physician. Good luck!