What is Botox?

Contrary to popular belief, Botox is not snake venom but a toxin of a naturally occurring bacterium called Clostridium botulinum (Botulinum Toxin Type A). The toxin obtained from this bacterium in a laboratory environment is purified, diluted and bottled as a medicine.

In Turkey, apart from products made in China or India, botulinum toxin is used in 3 different brands from America and Europe. Although Botox is actually the market name of botulinum toxin produced by Allergan, since it was the first product to come out, it has become a name generally used for all botulinum toxins. Other brand names are Dysport and Neurobloc.

After the studies determined that the toxin of the microorganism C. Botulinum caused temporary muscle paralysis, Botox was first used by orthopedists to relax spastic muscles and by ophthalmologists to treat strabismus. Over time, it was predicted that it could also be used to prevent the movements of facial muscles that cause mimic lines, and for this purpose, FDA approval was received and it entered aesthetic use. It is currently the most commonly performed non-surgical aesthetic procedure in the world.

Wrinkles on the face are formed as a result of the contraction of the muscles we use to make our facial expressions. Since not everyone makes the same facial expressions with the same frequency and their skin thickness and structure are not the same, the age and location at which these wrinkles or lines begin to form are not exactly the same. In people who tend to frown, lines between the eyebrows can become quite visible even at the age of 20. People who squint their eyes or who constantly squint their eyes because their eyes are very sensitive to the sun can also develop lines called crow’s feet at a very early age. Horizontal lines can form on the forehead in people who use their forehead muscles a lot while speaking. Some people may have sagging eyebrow edges due to aging, while others may have genetic reasons. This sagging can be treated with surgery, or in those who do not have time for surgery or are hesitant about surgery, the edges of the eyebrows can be lifted with Botox. Botulinum Toxin A is a treatment method used especially for horizontal lines on the forehead, vertical lines between the eyebrows, wrinkles at the corners of the eyes called crow’s feet, and to lift the eyebrows.

When injected into the muscle that causes the unwanted expression, botulinum toxin temporarily reduces or stops the muscle’s contraction function, and thus the skin over the muscle cannot be wrinkled, and therefore flattens. Botox application is an easy injection procedure that can be performed in outpatient clinic conditions. A slight swelling and redness that disappears within half an hour may occur in the areas where the injection is made. The effect of the drug usually begins to appear after 2-3 days and is fully established within 7-10 days. The effect usually lasts for 4 months after the first application, and this effect period can be extended up to 8 months with repeated applications. The amount of the dose applied, the location, and the number of times it is applied are also factors that affect the duration.

Botox should not be applied to people with certain neurological diseases, pregnant women and breastfeeding women. Botox should be applied to people using aspirin/blood thinners and those with an active infection in the injection area after stopping the blood thinner and/or treating the infection in the injection area.

There is no spread of botulinum toxin in cosmetic application doses throughout the body. Allergic complaints are almost non-existent worldwide. Side effects of botulinum toxin include drooping eyelids, depending on the area of ​​application. This drooping can be treated in 2-3 weeks with some drops.

It is not possible for new wrinkles to form or existing wrinkles to deepen in areas under the effect of botulinum toxin.

The last thing we need while trying to get from one place to another in today’s busy work schedule is uncontrolled sweating. Almost everyone uses deodorant products, also known as “anti-perspirants”, to keep sweating under control during the day. However, for some, these products are not enough and the person notices that they sweat excessively and feel uncomfortable during the day. There is now an easy solution for this condition called hyperhidrosis, which means excessive sweating. Botulinum toxin A, which is often used to eliminate facial expression lines and wrinkles, is a product that has received FDA approval for use in the treatment of hyperhidrosis.

Botulinum toxin A is also commonly known commercially as Botox® or Dysport®. Botulinum toxin A is a neurotoxin and just as it weakens facial muscles by blocking the transmission from nerves to muscles, it also blocks the transmission of stimuli from nerves to sweat glands, and thus, the stimuli that activate the sweat glands cannot be transmitted, and therefore, sweating does not occur. In this way, the person feels comfortable, relaxed and dry.