While many people think of botulinum toxin type A as a treatment for wrinkles, it has actually been used for many years to treat certain medical conditions. Babies as old as 6 months of age are treated with botox for cerebral palsy. So safety of the drug is not an issue.

What is Botox?

Botox is one brand of a purified form of botulinum toxin type A, a chemical toxin that is produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Botox is safe to use as an injectable medicine because it is used in such small quantities and injected directly into specific sites.

How does Botox treatment work?

Botulinum toxin type A (Botox, Dysport) blocks the release of a neurotransmitter (a chemical messenger) known as acetylcholine from nerve cells. Acetylcholine normally transmits nerve impulses to muscle cells, causing them to contract. Without acetylcholine, the affected nerve is unable to send a signal to the muscle it supplies, resulting in a weakened or paralysed muscle. The effect of Botox injections is restricted to the area being treated, and because the nerve fibres usually regenerate after a couple of months, the effect is only temporary.

What are Botox injections used for?

Botox injections are used to treat medical conditions as well as aesthetic indications

• Crows feet
• Frown lines
• Nefertiti lift
• Fore head creases
• Chin creases
• Gummy smile

How are Botox injections used to treat wrinkles?

Botox injections can be used to weaken or paralyse some of the facial muscles that pull on your skin and cause wrinkles, allowing the skin to flatten out. About 2 to 7 days after the injections, the lines and wrinkles that are normally caused by certain facial expressions start to disappear. Because Botox therapy targets specific, individual muscles, the ability to form most facial expressions should not be affected.

How long does the effect last?

The improvement in the appearance of your wrinkles usually lasts for 3 to 6 months, and repeated injections are required to maintain the effect. With continued use, the effects may start to last longer.

Are Botox injections safe?

Botox injections are relatively safe when administered by a medical professional who is trained in its use. As with all treatments, there are some side effects associated with its use, but most of these are mild and temporary. Pain, tenderness and bruising may be associated with the injection, and some people have reported a slight headache after treatment. Nausea and a flu-like syndrome are also rarely reported.

Botox injections should not be used in women who are pregnant or breast feeding.

At city skin clinic we use original botox by Allergan.