The medical cosmetic industry is a multi-billion dollar conglomerate that has been around for years. Botulinum toxin, popularly known as Botox, was first discovered as a toxin in fast food and is now the number one cosmetic treatment globally. According to recent statistics, upwards of five million people undergo Botox injections every single day. Matthew W. Shawl, M.D. is a qualified plastic surgeon offering Botox in Union Square providing patients with a rejuvenated appearance.
History of Botox
The bacteria C. botulinum produces Botox, one of the most potent and poisonous toxins in the universe, because it stops muscle contractions. Skeletal muscles need nerve impulses to function. This neurotoxin protein prevents the neurotransmitter (acetylcholine) release at the nerve junction. Botox prevents the interaction between nerves, which alters the functioning of muscles by weakening or paralyzing them.
How Botox Kills and Works
If you inhaled the toxin and it got into your diaphragm muscles, you will not be able to breathe. However, Botox can prevent nerve interactions in specific muscles when used in controlled amounts, thus preventing contraction.
Areas where Botox can be used effectively
1. Cosmetics
When your skin always gets pulled together due to regular underlying skin contractions, the elastic nature can be weakened, leading to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Your doctor can target specific muscles of the face to stop them from contracting, preventing the skin from being moved, therefore preventing fine lines due to constant skin compression. You will most likely lose the ability to form some expressions, but it will also prevent visible wrinkles.
2. Treating an overactive bladder
Your bladder contracting at inconvenient times can sometimes cause pain or incontinence. Your care provider can inject the bladder’s walls with Botox during a surgical procedure preventing the muscle from ever contracting. However, note that the bladder is made up of smooth muscles that do not always need nerve impulses to tighten.
3. Muscle spasms
Some cases of severe neck pain or other disorders are a result of muscle spasms. Botox can prevent these muscles from contracting and alleviate these disorders. Botox in the smallest amounts possible can be used to relieve eye muscle spasms. Some spasms can even result in migraines, headaches, or other symptoms. Your doctor can use Botox to potentially clear these symptoms up by targeting the right muscles causing the migraines.
4. Excessive sweating
Nerve impulses result in sweat glands being stimulated to secrete sweat. Since Botox prevents nerve signals, injecting it into the areas where your nerves meet sweat glands would ultimately reduce sweating.
What to Expect During a Botox Procedure
Your doctor will conduct a full facial analysis to identify your areas of concern and determine the appropriate cosmetic approach. To identify areas that can be improved using the neuromodulator Botox, your doctor will ask you to elevate your brow. The frontalis muscle is responsible for appropriate brow elevation. If you are an older patient complaining of horizontal wrinkles in your face, your doctor will first discuss your smooth forehead’s expectations. Typically, your doctor will pinch a small part of your forehead and inject small amounts of the toxin when treating such an area.
To get professional Botox injections, call the office of Matthew W. Shawl, MD and request an appointment.
Leave a Reply