Ron King recently asked:


People searching for ways to have younger looking faces will probably arrange a course of Botox injections; there are many myths about what it is and before a person starts a course, it is worth finding out more information. To understand exactly what it is and does, we first have to look at just how this amazing miracle of modern science came to be. The substance is derived from Botulinum toxin, discovered nearly five decades ago; it was tested for use as a treatment for disorders of the mind.

Then a few decades later in 1989, the Federal Drug Administration in America finally approved its use to treat disorders associated with vision; these included people with eyes that were not aligned correctly and those that suffered from uncontrollable blinking called blepharospasm. Later in the first year of the millennium after many more years of research, it was granted permission to be used on patients with cervical dystonia; this helps people with contractions in the upper back and shoulder and neck area, plus other eye disorders. Scientists found that if the botox drug was injected into the lines between the eyebrows it would gradually soften them and make them disappear; following this the FDA finally recognized the implications and agreed its commercial use in 2002.

You see botox is a neuro toxin, meaning it paralyses the muscles it is injected into and makes them relax; given sufficient treatments, frown lines that the person has lived with for many years will gradually fade. In many cases the lines eventually disappear completely but it can also be injected into the muscles of the face that cause crows feet, forehead lines and frown lines. The injections actually contain a purified form of the Botulinum toxin; Botulinum toxin can be deadly and at the very least make us unwell but when it is used in cosmetic procedures it is safe.

The problem is that when we laugh, cry or frown for example, lines and wrinkles appear caused by the muscles that have helped create the expression; these injections can help eliminate those lines. After years of making these expressions the wear and tear on your face begins to be noticeable and the lines start to become permanent; this is something that many skin creams have attempted to do for many years. Botox paralyzes the ****** muscles which means everyday expressions we use in communication and take for granted cannot be made; many people believe that overuse leaves the recipient with a look similar to that of a mannequin.

Depending on the amount of treatments, a person can look fairly normal but their ****** gestures will be restricted so that the creases and lines do not show. Whilst popular this cosmetic treatment is still very expensive for what it is; the average cost of just one injection in the United States ranges from a few hundred dollars to in excess of 1,000 dollars, depending on where the injection is used. There is always some concern about new treatments and botox is no exception with many people worried about the long term effects of injections, but even so this has not stopped its popularity.

Patricia Woloch recently asked:


Botox is the brand name for botulinum toxin type A. This purified form of the toxin, if taken in large amounts by mouth will cause botulism, a form of food poisoning. But, used in small amounts can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

How does it work?

Botox prevents the muscles from tightening by blocking the chemical signals that cause them to contract. The cosmetic surgeon will use a thin needle to inject tiny amounts of Botox into certain muscles surrounding your wrinkles. The chemical weakens the wrinkle-producing muscles and restores a smoother appearance to your skin.

The number of injections you will need depends on your ****** features, the extent of wrinkling and the area being treated. Your doctor will determine the approximate number of treatments you will need during your consultation.

Botox treatments are usually performed in the doctor’s office and take about 10-15 minutes to complete. You may experience mild discomfort with the injections, but most patients find this to be very tolerable. These treatments will not require anesthesia.

What does it treat?

Botox is used in cosmetic surgery to treat:

• Creases in the forehead

• Crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes

• Frown lines between eyebrows and over the bridge of the nose

• Bands on the neck

It is also used to treat severe health conditions such as:

• Headaches

• Eye muscle problems

• Back pain

• Muscle spasms

• Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)

Botox is being tested for early treatment of ****** scars as well. It is believed that these treatments will reduce the long-term effects of the scars. This treatment has not yet obtained FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval.

What won’t it treat?

Not all ****** wrinkles can be treated with Botox. Sun damaged skin can not be repaired through Botox injections. The effectiveness is determined by the thickness of your skin and the amount of wrinkling you have. Botox is also not effective for lines surrounding the mouth because it would affect the muscles needed to talk and eat.

How do you prepare?

If you have decided to undergo Botox treatments you should consult a qualified cosmetic surgeon. During your initial consultation, you and the doctor will determine if this type of treatment is right for you. Factors include your medical history, your expectations, condition of your skin and your surgeon’s predictions as to the outcome of the treatments.

What are the side effects?

As with any type of cosmetic procedure, there will be some uncomfortable, but temporary side effects. These may include:

• Redness

• Pain and bruising at the injection site

• Nausea

• Headache

• Flu-like symptoms

• Facial weakness or drooping

• Possible spread of the toxin outside of the treatment area (This may cause temporary trouble swallowing, muscle weakness, slurred speech or breathing problems)

If you are considering Botox injections, seek a board certified cosmetic surgeon to perform the procedure. Be sure the doctor has experience with Botox treatments and ask a lot of questions during your consultation.

Sharon Bell recently asked:


Megan Hand, 5, and Kira Glossop, 4, have spent most of their lives in a wheelchair because of cerebral palsy. Botox injections have made them walk again.

Hand of Mossley, Manchester, was given seven Botox injections in each of her legs by Dr. Tim Meadows of Booth Hall Children’s Hospital in Manchester. She now runs around with her three-year-old sister Chloe, and her mother Claire, 24, is proud of her.

“There’s no stopping her now. She keeps saying, ‘Watch me mummy’, then she gets her balance and she’s off. She calls them her ‘magic legs’,” Claire told The Sun.

Botox allowed Kira to fulfill her dream of becoming a bridesmaid at her mom’s wedding. With the aid of a walking frame, she managed to walk down the aisle in a lovely pink dress.

“All our dreams came true. She’s such a cheerful, brave little girl and has been through so much. We’re so proud,” said her 25-year-old mother Tracy of Bolton, Greater Manchester. Kira’s dad Ashley couldn’t agree more.

“It was just fantastic to see Kira as a bridesmaid,” the 26-year-old engineer said.

Cerebral palsy is caused by a brain injury that occurs before, during or shortly after birth. It affects a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. The condition causes muscle tightness, hampering a person’s ability to walk or stand. While not a cure, Botox – a purified form of the botulinum toxin - can help cerebral palsy sufferers live normal lives by making them walk again.

Unknown to many, this popular non-surgical wrinkle treatment has numerous benefits. Since scientists first used the toxin in the 1960s, they have discovered that this deadly poison has the ability to change the lives of people with debilitating diseases.

“Besides a wrinkle treatment, Botox is also used to treat several health conditions, including headaches, backaches, eye muscle problems, muscle spasms and excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis). Also, researchers have found that treating ****** scars early on with Botox may improve the appearance of scars long-term. This use for Botox is experimental, however, and hasn’t been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA),” according to the MayoClinic.com.

Tracey Raikes of South Elmsall, West Yorkshire, is another Botox success story. She suffered a stroke ten days after giving birth to her youngest daughter. The incident left the 38-year-old housewife paralyzed on the left side. Physiotherapy improved her condition but her left arm was useless and she couldn’t open her hand. When she read about Botox on the internet, she called her doctor for advice.

“Botox was injected into my shoulder and thumb, and at various points in my forearm. I felt nothing and it was over quickly. At first, I was disappointed because nothing changed, but just under a week later I could pull my fingers straight, and although my arm still hung down lifelessly, the hand looked perfectly normal. Even better, the pains in my shoulder disappeared. I now feel that my arm looks as good as possible under the circumstances, and I have Botox every three months,” she said.

In 1989, the FDA approved Botox to treat eye muscle disorders like uncontrollable blinking and crossed eyes. Later, doctors found it had an unusual side effect: it reduced the frown lines between the eyebrows. Since then, Botox has emerged as a popular wrinkle fighter and is used to treat crow’s feet and forehead creases among others.

Still, not all wrinkles respond well to Botox and not everyone can afford the pricey injections considering that they have to be repeated every three to four months. For these people, the use of the Rejuvinol AM/PM Botox Alternative Age-Defying System might be more practical. This unique system consists of the Rejuvinol morning moisturizer and the Rejuvox night cream that work together to moisturize the skin and diminish the appearance of crow’s feet, laugh lines, and wrinkles. Go to http://www.rejuvinol.com for more details.

Alex Levin recently asked:


What Is Botox?

Derived from the botulinum toxin type A, Botox is a brand name for a highly purified and diluted preparation of botulinum used in numerous medical and cosmetic applications. It is also sold under the names Dysport and Myobloc. Botox is most widely known for its use in removing wrinkles.

While the botulinum toxic itself is highly poisonous and even deadly, the same toxin in smaller doses can be used to safely treat a variety of conditions. Botox is most widely known for its use in removing wrinkles, but is also has numerous medical applications.

Botox was first used in medicine to treat strabismus, a condition in which a person’s eyes do not align normally, and blepahrospasm, or uncontrolled blinking. Today, Botox is the most commonly performed cosmetic operation in America, with over four and a half million people getting the treatment in 2007.

Does Botox Work?

Botox does work to lessen the appearance of wrinkles, but this effect is temporary and has a host of risks attached, including paralysis of the wrong muscles and changes in ****** expressions. So is Botox a fountain of youth or just poison injected into your face? Like so many things in life, the answer isn’t black and white, and while this answer many not satisfy some readers, both are true to a certain extent.



What Is Botox Used For?

Cosmetically, Botox is only FDA approved for use in smoothing out wrinkles in the forehead between the eyebrows, reducing crow’s feet, forehead lines and frown lines. Additionally, Botox is used to treat various medical conditions, including:



Achalasia – an esophageal disorder characterized by difficulty swallowing

Blepharospasm – involuntary blinking

Cervical Dystonia – a neurological disorder that causes the muscles around the neck and shoulder to contract uncontrollably

Hyperhidrosis – abnormal underarm sweating

Strabismus – crossed eyes



Studies of the use of Botox in treating other ailments such as migraines and prostate problems are ongoing.

How Does Botox Work?

The everyday ****** expressions we all make, from happy to sad and everywhere in between, cause our skin to lose resilience. Cosmetic Botox injections work by blocking signals that are constantly firing from your nerves to your muscles. This causes a controlled weakening of the specific muscle targeted, and when the muscle doesn’t contract, wrinkles don’t show up as much. Noticeable improvements are usually seen within the first month after treatment.

How Is the Treatment Administered?

Botox is delivered to the muscle via a fine needle and causes little discomfort. The procedure only takes about ten minutes and requires no anesthesia. If you’re uncomfortable with needles, an icepack or anesthetic cream will do the trick.

Do I Need to Do Anything to Prepare for Botox?

Botox treatment methods vary from clinic to clinic. Some doctors recommend avoiding alcohol for one week prior to treatment and avoiding aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications for two weeks prior. This helps reduce the risk of bruising after injections.

Can Botox Be Used on Other Wrinkles?

No. Botox is only approved by the FDA for use between the eyebrows.

Will Botox affect my ability to make expressions?

You will still be able to make all the ****** expressions you always could after Botox injections, just without the wrinkles between your brows showing. Only the muscle that has been injected with Botox is paralyzed. Problems making ****** expressions arise when the wrong muscles are paralyzed, and this typically occurs when Botox is administered by someone who’s unqualified. The FDA strongly advises against attending Botox parties for this reason.

When Will I See the Effects of Botox?

Noticeable reduction of wrinkles will be seen within 2-3 days, and the full effects of Botox takes up to week to show.

How Long Does Botox Last?

The effects of a Botox injection last for approximately 4 - 6 months, and the wrinkles will return as the muscle starts to function normally again. Over time, the wrinkles will look smoother even without Botox, as the muscles are being conditioned to relax.

What Are the Side Effects of Botox?

The most common side effect of Botox is mild short-term bruising, which is caused by the mode of treatment rather than by the drug. When Botox is administered by a qualified medical professional side effects are quite rare but may include:



Allergic Reaction

Botulism – this illness is characterized by widespread paralysis and is rare when Botox is used correctly

Flu-like symptoms

Headache

Paralysis of incorrect muscles

Sagging eyelids

Stomachache



How Much Does Botox Cost?

Depending on various factors such as the experience of the doctor performing the treatment and location of the clinic, Botox typically costs from $200 to $800 per treatment.

Will My Health Insurance Pay for Botox?

Most insurers will not cover Botox for cosmetic use.

Am I A Good Candidate For Botox?

Because the procedure, which requires a short series of injections over the span of a few minutes, is a fairly simple one, most people find they are good candidates for Botox. Botox is FDA approved for use on people between the ages of 18 and 65.



Do not use Botox if you are breastfeeding.

Do not use Botox if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

If you have a neurological or muscular disorder, tell your doctor during your consultation session.

If you have any allergies, tell your doctor during your consultation session.



If you have any concerns about taking Botox treatments, be sure to bring them up to your doctor. Being informed about the process is the best way to feel comfortable about your decision. In addition, you may want to ask your doctor for references and look at some of his or her before-and-after pictures to get an idea of what to expect.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the counsel and expertise of a medical professional. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your doctor.

Jon Ric recently asked:


You may have started to notice a few faint lines and wrinkles that just didn’t seem to be there last week and which have appeared as if by magic. And sadly, wrinkles and lines will just keep on coming with every passing year. Gone are the days where we could spend hours in the sun, smoke and go to bed with our make up on. The time has come where we must really start to look after our skin. If you are looking for an instant face lift, then perhaps you’d like to think about having Botox treatments.

Botox is a prescription cosmetic product that is used to eliminate lines and wrinkles on the face caused by every day ****** expressions and muscle movements. The treatments are virtually painless and one treatment will last between 15 minutes and half an hour. The effects will last for around 3 to 4 months when you will probably want to go back for a top-up. So many women are now opting for Botox treatments, no pain, short and simple treatments which won’t cost you and arm and a leg!

Once you get home, leave the hair for three days before washing to allow the bonds to set properly. Tip your head back when you wash your hair. Gently massage the scalp. Do not use a scrubbing motion. Always dry the hair and bonds completely.

The System will not harm your hair. The ready-made bonds have been designed to melt at a low temperature to protect fine and course hair alike. The extensions are flexible and blend with your own hair to create a natural overall finish. They are easy to apply and just as easy to remove.

Spero Theodorou recently asked:


BOTOX cosmetic injections are a true blessing for those who wouldn’t like to go the surgery way to diminish their ****** wrinkles. BOTOX injection treatment aims at rendering inactive those muscles which produce wrinkles. Though only a temporary treatment, BOTOX injections offer the advantage of no downtime; daily activities can be resumed immediately after the procedure.

About BOTOX

BOTOX is the botulinum toxin type A in a much purified form. It is the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum that turns out this toxin.

BOTOX Treatment – The Procedure

With the help of a small, thin needle; the doctor injects minute doses of BOTOX into particular muscles. Individual treatment is done on the underlying hyperdynamic muscles. Care is taken to paralyze and weaken only those muscles which are the causative factors for wrinkles, furrowing and lining. The ultimate result is younger and less tired skin.

Factors like the ****** features, the specific region being treated and the degree of wrinkling would determine the quantity of injections required for a particular patient.

Areas Effectively Treated

Areas which the BOTOX treatment can prove effective for include:

•    Crow’s feet

•    Glabellar furrow

•    Neck bands situated on the underside of the chin

•    Forehead lines

•    Wrinkles surrounding the upper lip



Short Term but No Severe Side Effects

The results of the injections are usually noticeable within a week’s time and would remain for 3 to 6 months after which repeat injections would be required. Complications and side effects like minor bruising, redness, nausea and headache are a possibility after BOTOX treatment. Severe side effects however, are rare. To minimize the incidence of side effects, it is of utmost importance that the patient gets the treatment done only by a professional doctor.

Though the FDA has only approved BOTOX cosmetic injections for improving ****** wrinkles, this treatment promises great results in patients having migraine headaches, and too much armpit or hand sweating.

kent harper recently asked:


Botox marketing or Botox advertising choices are everywhere, as aesthetic procedures and dermal fillers become increasingly popular. A Botox directory online, occasionally offering Restylane, Collagen and Juvederm resources additionally, is a perfect point to begin contacting potential customers. Advertisements for Botox, such as radio, custom print materials, TV and more have been successful. Botox branding kits so too have a great place. Yet, as increasing clients like web sources, Botox advertisements and marketing online work better than offline sources. No effective Botox branding is maximized with no web presence to pull leads to a aesthetic surgery clinic’s website. Juvederm, Botox, Restylane and similar marketing kits, like custom marketing materials, are often less effective without a potent web component. Online advertising for many dermal fillers such as botox  are a phenomena that we’re just now realizing the beginning of. Artefill, Hylaform, Captique, Sculptra, Cosmoderm, Perlane and other items for wrinkles are great with regard to demand. Other modern dermal fillers to market are Restylane, Obagi, Juvederm, Radiesse, collagenand others, along with Botox.

Botox print advertisements, as well as radio and TV, are being performed with much success since the beginning of Botox. Yet getting online to market Botox makes good sense as well. This is something that most cosmetic surgeons might have to do on their own, as an aggressive online place is essential. A perfect Restylane, Juvederm, Artefill and Botox directory ad can aid offices to find fresh clients in every town. Botox marketing kits and materials, like print, TV, Radio and other advertising move as a unit with a web presence synergistically, bolstering  your overall permanent results in advertisements. Botox focused advertising universally does perform.

Again, Botox, Juvederm, Restylane and other marketing kits, custom TV, materials, radio ads and the rest might perform cooperatively with online options.  Ultimately how great is your Botox marketing and branding kit for this lacking the right influx of fresh clients to get it? This is the perk of marketing for Botox, Restaylane, Juverem and the rest on the web. It has been proven to be worthy in boosting the level of likely customers that you may get with any other Botox branding, marketing, advertising and additional materials. Advertising on the Internet may offset TV, print, radio ads in the upcoming future, although at present, the greatest worth is simply getting your real-life marketing before more people. Also, Restylane, Juvederm, Collagen, Obagi, Radiesse or others will additionally advertise successfully in this market. Added treatments to market at right now may be Artefill, Hylaform, Captique, Sculptra, Cosmoderm, Perlane and more.

Botox marketing is effective as treatment for wrinkles have been one of the quickest-growing cosmetic options in the market. In 2001, Botox advertising  delivered extremely well, as even more than 1.6 million people got treatments, an explosion of 46 percent over the previous year. Even more requested than ****** enhancement operations, Botox is regarded by most as the ultimate of providing youthful appearances.  The large demand only means that individuals are seeking botox and additional ****** injectables, like Perlane, Restylane, collagen, Radiesse, Artefill, Juvederm and Cosmoderm.

And again, custom branding with Botox is increasingly crucial only after you actually get the  attention of people. This will be performed more and more on the web. As more clients go on the Internet, the ideal elements of advertisements will  do the best. Drive your web branding kit by getting listed in a Restylane, Juvederm, Botox and Artefill directory. The best information for Botox marketing and Botox advertising is the trend is headed upward. Botox advertisements will tend to draw leads for some time. This is very much the scenario for Juvederm too. In addition, not like several pharmaceuticals many times in limited supply, Botox treatments are both key to the manufacturer’s  growth and naturally the company is unlikely to do anything to jeopardize that. It is likely fairly reasonable to make. The price of Botox cosmetic is not expected to increase. Pharmaceutical market place specialists also predict that marketing for Botox can be very worthwhile. They’ll definitely make more money when they grow the market share; Botox advertising or marketing will help to fulfill this.

Steven Walters recently asked:


Those of you looking into botox treatments may wonder if there are safe alternatives to botox treatments. As you age the lines and wrinkles seem to multiply on your face and there’s nothing that will make you look older faster than those wrinkles. With botox being so popular recently it’s no wonder that as soon as we see wrinkles we think of botox as a solution. It’s true that botox can be one safe and effective way to remove wrinkles and lines from our faces, but you should take the time to look into other ways to take care of those wrinkles.

You should know before you get botox injections that it is a toxic substance. Botox is short for ‘botulism poisoning’ which is a type of food poisoning that is capable of causing severe illness and even death. When botulism is detected the person affected needs immediate medical attention and health officials frequently get involved to contain any potential outbreak. Botulism is not something to take lightly.

Botox is made from the same bacteria that causes botulism and it works by paralyzing the muscles that it’s injected into. A small amount of diluted botox is injected directly into the ****** muscles causing them to weaken and thus making the skin over top of them smooth out. Once the skin smoothes, then the wrinkles and lines disappear.

It’s a very extreme solution to a simple problem and you should know that there are other ways that are equally effective and safer than botox. Don’t get me wrong, botox does work wonders, however it still presents risks and the treatment needs to be repeated every 3-6 months making it expensive as well. Some people have developed cardiovascular problems from botox and some even experience a permanent loss of sensation in areas that have been injected with botox frequently. While botox is considered very safe it still poses some risks.

An alternative to these injections is a quality botox cream or anti aging cream. These creams are also pretty expensive, but they pose none of the risks you’ll get with botox. LifeCell and Revitol are two botox creams that are regarded quite highly. Plus you’ll find that the botox creams can remove some wrinkles that are untreatable by botox such as lines from sun damage.

Do your homework about wrinkle removal and you’ll find there are some alternatives to botox injections. Botox creams and anti aging creams can be a safe effective way to get the same results and keep a smooth youthful looking face. Botox injections may be your first thought, but it may not be the best solution.

Trevor Price recently asked:


When it comes to Botox, California is the state with the highest number of injections per capita, along with the most practitioners and overall consumption of the popular drug. Botox was first introduced in the late 1980’s and was used at the time as a way to treat eye muscle disorders. Today, the drug is injected to prevent wrinkle formation while making patients appear younger.

What Botox Actually Does

Essentially, Botox works by paralyzing your ****** muscles. The subtle poisons in every Botox injection stop your muscles from a producing a chemical called acetylcholine. This chemical is what allows your muscles to contract and create ****** expressions. By stopping your muscles from contracting, Botox is not only limiting their ability to make existing wrinkles appear more pronounced, but it’s also preventing new wrinkles from forming.

How Well Botox Actually Works

After Botox injections, patients usually see about an 80 percent improvement in the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. The drug has also been independently tested and approved by the FDA as an effective wrinkle treatment, meaning it works. However, it’s not permanent and will only last for up to 5 months, and perhaps only 3.

Step-By-Step Guide to Getting Botox Injections

For Botox, patients typically receive their injections right inside the privacy of their doctor’s office. There is no anesthesia involved, though some practitioners may administer a dab of numbing cream designed to minimize the discomfort associated with each injection.

The doctor begins by pinpointing the areas to be injected. Using a marking pencil, he or she will mark each injection point and then apply antiseptic. After reviewing the number of injection points, your doctor will measure out the appropriate amount of Botox to use.

Following your doctor’s preparation, he or she will then inject the Botox, or Botulinum Toxin Type A, into your skin. At this point, the toxins attach themselves to your muscles’ nerve endings, eventually stopping the muscle contractions that cause wrinkles.

Actual Botox Treatment Procedure Length

For Botox, users can typically expect their treatments to last anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the amount of preparation required and the size of the treatment area. Typically though, it’s not a lengthy procedure.

Post-Botox Skin Care

After a full treatment of Botox, patients can normally go about their day-to-day activities. However, they should avoid extended sun exposure or laying down for at least a few hours. Some individuals may experience mild bruising at their injection sites, but this will go away in a few hours.

Cost of Botox

How much your Botox treatment will cost you depends on your doctor, the treatment area and the number of treatments that you purchase. For Botox, patients typically pay between $150 and $400 for each treatment session, with Californian coughing up a higher payment than most. These sessions are then repeated every 3 to 6 months at the patient’s discretion. It is very unlikely that your health coverage will recompense you for this treatment.

How to Find a Botox Physician

If you’re looking for a certified doctor who can provide injections of Botox, you should try either the American Academy of Dermatology (aad.org) or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (plasticsurgery.org).

Dale Martin recently asked:


Botox injections and treatments are gaining popular through mainstream society these days. Women of all ages now use it to prevent lines, wrinkles and to enhance their appearance, and older women use it to reduce the appearance of wrinkles that may have already formed.

So, what about the negative side effects of Botox? Are there any? Even though botox has gotten some bad publicity over the years, we rarely hear anything about the negative side effects of Botox.

A Little Botox History

Way back in the 1820s, a German physician by the name of Dr. Justinus Kerner set out to find answers to the deaths of German citizens who had consumed sausage. Through is research he learned that of the many that died most had been overtaken by botulism - food poisoning. OK, so that means that one negative side effect to botox is death, although it is very rare and highly unlikely these days, but you should consult a licensed physician before undergoing any procedure.

Continuing his research, Dr. Kerner also distinguished seven different strains of botulinum toxin, naming them strains A through G. But he found that only four strains - A, B, E, and F - are life threatening to humans.

Mid-Century Development

During the mid 1950s and 60s, two other doctors, Drs. Edward J. Schantz and Vernon Brooks experimented further into botulinum toxin , using controversial animal testing techniques that could not be used today because of their cruelty and inaccurate results. Nevertheless, the two doctors found that botulinum toxin type A, despite its risk to humans, was very effective for treating people with crossed eyes and spastic vocal cords. So, ok, something that could potentially kill us can, in small doses, be helpful in relieving muscle spasms of all kinds.

The Birth of Botox

The Year is 1989, and the FDA approved botulinum toxin type A for treatment of crossed eyes and eye muscle spasms. Through a miracle of marketing genius, the botulism poison that had once killed German sausage eaters was renamed “Botox” and treatments took off like wildfire. Through further experimentation it was found that Botox also temporarily cured excessive sweating and some symptoms of cerebral palsy. After the botox treatments, patients were monitored closely for any negative side effects of Botox treatments.

A breakthrough in keeping us looking younger was on the horizon. In the 1990s, Dr. Jean Carruthers noticed that many of the patients being treated with Botox were surprisingly wrinkle-free. Using this information, Dr. Carruthers and her husband, a dermatologist, conducted various clinical studies that confirmed the ability of Botox to reduce frown lines and wrinkles on the human face.

Botox Now

Today, Botox is so widely accepted that you can go to a botox party and have your lips injected right on the spot. The fear of negative side effects is almost none existent. So much so that Botox Sales in 2006 exceeded $1 billion. Starting out as a deadly poison killer Botox has quickly transformed itself into a successful cosmetic treatment that helps millions of people look younger everyday.

Botox also remains a staple for non-cosmetic treatments, like reducing muscle spasms in cerebral palsy patients, uncrossing eyes, and relieving patients of embarrassing ****** twitches and spasms. Botox treatments are not permanent and must be repeated every three to six months. Most patients are so pleased with the results that they ave no problem returning to the doctor regularly for scheduled treatments. The early fears of botox no longer prevail and although there are a low number of cases each year that result from negative side effects of botox, it is clear that botox is here to stay.