Some of you may have heard people balk at the very idea of Botox, exclaiming that it's just a deadly poison. Not quite. Yes, Botox is derived from botulinum toxin type A, which is also the toxin that leads to food-borne botulism.
But in the purified and highly diluted state found in Botox, the toxin is extremely safe. When cosmetic Botox received FDA approval in 2002, Allergan, the company that makes it, was said to have spent about $110 million on the process - obviously Botox has been thoroughly tested! (In fact, the University of Miami was one of the sites that tested it.)
Using a tiny needle, small amounts of the product are injected directly into facial muscles to immobilize them. As those muscles relax, the wrinkles that their movement causes are also minimized. The procedure takes about 10 minutes, and involves no downtime.
You'll see the desired results in about three days, and some people notice continued improvement for up to a month. Botox's immobilizing effects generally last for about four months, although there is some evidence that those effects last even longer in patients who undergo the procedure repeatedly (likely because they break the habit of contracting certain facial muscles).
So where can you use cosmetic Botox? It is best suited to lines that aren't too deep, and is most commonly used to treat wrinkles on the forehead or around the eyes.
Dermatologists are also increasingly aware of the preventative benefits of Botox. I've been using Botox since I was 28, and I think it's one of the best things I've done to stave off the signs of aging!
In fact, the best time to use Botox is when you only notice wrinkles when you move (i.e. smile, laugh, or squint) but not when your face is at rest. By immobilizing certain facial muscles, you can limit the movements that lead to wrinkles and keep them from forming permanently.
Botox isn't cheap, though: Depending on the amount of product used, one treatment session can cost anywhere from $150 to $800. Another brand of botulinum toxin, called Reloxin, should be approved next year, and competition is usually the best way to bring prices down. Better yet, Reloxin is rumored to last longer than Botox!
Finally, remember that despite Botox's prevalence, it is still a medical procedure. If you choose to try it, make sure that you're being treated by an experienced physician who will know exactly how much of the product to use and where to inject it for the desired results.
Wishing you great skin!
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Dr. Baumann is author of the best-selling book, " The Skin Type Solution." To learn more about her revolutionary skin typing system, visit her Web site, SkinTypeSolutions.com.
All of Dr. Baumann's recommended skin care products are available online, and a portion of proceeds goes to The Dermatology Foundation.
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