What is botulinum toxin? . That’s probably what you’re wondering. Since the end of the last century, botulinum toxin has gained strength as a reliable treatment to delay the signs of aging. However, many people still do not know exactly what botulinum toxin is and how it works as a treatment to preserve youth.
In this article we will clear all your doubts.
What is botulinum toxin?
It is a substance that is injected into a specific place on a person’s body. This substance essentially blocks signals from the nerves to the muscles. Botulinum toxin type A, which is used in cosmetic applications, is produced from the bacteria Clostridium botulinum and is injected in small, controlled quantities. The FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) recommends that you do not exceed a total of 360 units in a 3-month period.
On average, a person usually receives doses of between 8 and 20 units on the forehead for wrinkles, just for perspective. This is well below the maximum recommended amount.
What is the history of botulinum toxin?
So how did this procedure begin? What would make people decide to inject botulinum toxin?
It started with scientists trying to use botulinum toxin to treat strabismus. When they were in the testing phases, they observed that it also reduced frown lines.
And thus botulinum toxin was born as a cosmetic treatment.
After testing was completed and it was named botulinum toxin, it received FDA approval for a variety of uses, both medical and cosmetic.
How is botulinum toxin applied?
After knowing what botulinum toxin is, you will want to know how it is applied. Here we tell you:
Botulinum toxin is usually administered with a small gauge needle and the area may be pre-treated with a topical anesthetic to counteract any discomfort. Specifically for the procedure, botulinum toxin is diluted in saline and injected into the neuromuscular tissue.
Botulinum toxin aims to prevent certain muscles from contracting. The science behind this is that the neurotoxins in botulinum toxin target the nervous system. This disrupts signaling between neurons.
Therefore, this disruption may help cosmetically, by reducing the appearance of wrinkles or helping with muscle medical conditions. When, for example, the forehead muscles cannot contract, they begin to look flatter and softer. If you are interested in using botulinum toxin safely to preserve your beauty features and the harmony of your face, in Aesthetic Medicine. Benavides we have more than 15 years of experience. Delay the signs of aging, contact us.
