The botulinum neurotoxin, formed by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum, is the first microbial protein used for therapeutic purposes in humans. Botox has been used in many medical fields, from the treatment of various medical conditions to aesthetic applications, since the 1970s.
What is Botox?
Botox is a drug obtained from the toxin produced by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. There are 7 neurotoxins (nerve cell poisons) produced by this bacterium and named alphabetically, but only types A and B of these toxins have been used clinically in humans.
How Does Botox Work?
Botox After injection, the toxin binds to the nerve cell in approximately half an hour. In the ongoing process, botox causes changes in the chemical properties of the nerve cell to which it is attached, and has a stopping effect on the nerve. causes.
What are the Uses of Botox?
Botox is most often used for aesthetic purposes. It is an effective drug for removing lines on the forehead, confusion around the mouth, wrinkles at the junction of the nose and lips, wrinkles in the chest area, as well as wrinkles in the middle of the eyebrows or around the eyes. can be used in the treatment. Apart from these cases, there are many other areas where botox is used:
Cervical Dystonia
In cervical dystonia, which is a painful condition, an abnormal posture occurs due to the involuntary contraction of the neck muscles. Botox applications can be beneficial in the relaxation of these muscles.
Lazy Eye
Eye muscles must work in a coordinated way for the full realization of the visual function. In lazy eye, the harmony between these muscles is lost. Botox applications can regulate the harmony of eye muscles.
Muscle Contracture
In muscle cells Contracture is defined as the abnormal positioning of the joint in the region where the muscles are located after the changes in the nerve cells that stimulate them. In appropriate cases, the muscles that behave abnormally can be relieved by botox injection.
Hyperhidrosis
The occurrence of excessive sweating in people despite the absence of hot environmental conditions that stimulate sweating is defined as hyperhidrosis. Sweating in the area where Botox injection is made decreases by up to 90%. Sweating has a critical role in temperature regulation among body functions. Botox application is considered safe as it only stops sweating in a certain area.
Chronic Migraine
The occurrence of nausea, light sensitivity and migraine pain in half of a 30-day period is expressed as chronic migraine. Botox may be beneficial in reducing the frequency of these overwhelming pains.
Bladder Disorders
In patients with urinary incontinence (incontinence), if the underlying cause is overactive bladder, botox injections may be beneficial in relieving these complaints.
Blephorospasm
Eye In this disorder, which causes the eye to close with the involuntary contraction of the muscles around it, temporary paralysis can be created in the eye muscles related to the botox application, and people who suffer from this disease can be healed. Speech disorder of neurological origin, which occurs due to With Botox application, the muscles that control the vocal cords can be relaxed.
Hypersalivation (excessive saliva production)
With botox injection to the salivary glands, the glands that produce excessive secretion can be paralyzed and the complaint can be relieved.
Facial Paralysis (Bell) Paralysis)
After the occurrence of paralysis in the muscles affecting the facial muscles, a downward shift may occur in that area of the face. In Bell's palsy, a temporary facial paralysis condition, botox injections may contribute to the relaxation of paralyzed muscles.
How is Botox Applied?
The standard toxin dose used for botox applications for cosmetic purposes is 20 units. F There are different brands of botox. Botulinum toxin is injected directly into the relevant muscle area by means of a botox needle. Higher doses can be used in areas with high regional muscle density in men. In regions where muscle weakness is already present, lower doses of Botox are preferred. In the first 2-3 hours after the injection, no intervention should be made in that area, and the person who received botox should stay in an upright position for 3-4 hours during this period. The person who is treated should not strain the muscles in the area where the application is made and rest in the first 1-2 days. Especially in the applications made in the face area, care should be taken as any application that will affect the muscles such as massage in the days following the application may cause the release of the toxin and affect other muscles. reaches. At the end of a period of 3-4 months after the application, it starts to lose its effect.
What are the Side Effects of Botox Application?
Botox injections are dangerous applications if they are not done in the right hands and correctly. Therefore, it is important to prefer physicians who are experienced and specialized in this field. The person who will have Botox application should inform his doctor whether he has had a similar application before or whether he has used any muscle relaxants, sleep regulators, blood thinners or allergy medications.
Botox injection, which temporarily blocks the nerves, is a minimally invasive (low level of medical intervention) procedure performed without the need for any anesthetic drug.
Botox applications are generally considered safe. Since the effect of botox A toxin, which is used in clinical and cosmetic applications, is temporary in nerve cells and muscles, no long-term side effects are expected. After the application of
botulinum toxin, side effects such as bleeding, edema, redness and pain at the injection site may occur most frequently. Choosing the Botox needle thinner and diluting the toxin with saline solutions It may be beneficial in controlling the mentioned side effects. Although rare, muscle weakness, vision-related problems, dry eye or excessive tear production, difficulty in speaking, difficulty in swallowing, fatigue, nausea and flu-like complaints can be encountered as side effects. weakness is one of the undesirable effects of botox. While this situation improves in the first 1-2 weeks in some people, it may continue for several months in some people. The duration of the injection is determined by factors such as the injection site, the dose of the injection and the strength of the muscles in that area. This condition, called ptosis, can continue for 2 to 6 weeks. This side effect of Botox application can be controlled with various eye drops.
In addition to the side effects, it is considered inconvenient for some people to have botox application. In addition to the expectant mothers, some muscle and neurological diseases constitute the group that should not have botox application. Myasthenia gravis, Eaton-Lambert syndrome, various neuropathies, pregnant women, lactating women and people who have an infection in the area where botox injection will be made are examples of the group in which botox application is inconvenient.
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