Of all treatments that help delay the appearance of ageing, Botox® seems to be the most popular and well known.
Botox is noted primarily for reducing ‘dynamic wrinkles’ – those created by facial expressions such as frowning or smiling.
So, what is Botox, how did it originate and how is it used in the medical and aesthetic worlds?
What is Botox®?
Botox is a neurotoxin derived from clostridium botulinum, an organism occurring naturally in the environment where it is mostly inactive, safe and non-toxic.
Botox is, in fact, a brand name for the first drug to use botulinum toxin type A, which is part of a larger family of the toxin.
Other products using the toxin now include Dysport®, Myobloc® and Xeomin®.
The history of Botox
In the 1820s, German scientist Dr Kerner discovered that a substance in rotting sausages was causing people to become unwell. This was the first discovery of botulinum toxin.
Seventy years later, another doctor who was also investigating the causes of food poisoning expanded on Dr Kerner’s discovery. He found there were in fact seven strains of botulinum toxin.
In the 1950s, researchers noticed that injections of botulinum toxin could relax hyperactive muscles. They used the toxin to treat involuntary muscular movements (such as cervical dystonia – severe spasms of the neck muscles) as well as vocal spasms.
In the 1960s, after researchers discovered more beneficial uses for botulinum toxin, it became the ‘go to’ substance for research and development.
In the 1980s, Botox became FDA approved for use as a cure for a variety of medical issues. Then Dr Carruthers discovered that her patients were losing their frown lines after having Botox injections in certain facial areas.
Following this discovery, the use of Botox for treating wrinkles became widespread. In fact, there was a Botox ‘drought’ in 1997, when it became difficult to obtain due to the demand of women wanting a cure for winkles.
Today, Botox is used worldwide in medicine as well as aesthetics. Botox injections can treat excess sweating (hyperhidrosis) in the palms and under the arms. It is also a treatment for bladder problems, migraines, involuntary muscle spasms and clenching of the jaw.
Who would have known that one of the world’s most effective and popular wrinkle-reducing treatments would be born from research into spoiled sausages!
Botox treatments at Dr MediSpa
Botox wrinkle-relaxing injection treatments are suitable for most people.
However, you will need a full consultation with the doctor before starting treatment, and not have any conditions that would disallow its use.
Contact us for more information
For more information on whether you are suitable for Botox wrinkle-relaxing injections, feel free to speak with one of our dedicated team here at Dr MediSpa.
Click here for how to contact us.
Click here for more about wrinkle-relaxing injection treatments.
