Toxins secreted by the soil bacteria Clostridium Botulinum are poisonous and can cause botulism. The toxins affect the body at the neuromuscular junctions called synapses. At this site toxin prevents the release of the chemical acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is of paramount importance in any muscle contraction. It is the body’s premier neurotransmitter, a chemical that passes or transmits information from the nerve cell to the target muscle across the synapse. 

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Botulinum toxin works by disrupting the normal acetylcholine release process, resulting in chemical denervation and ultimately paralysis. Generally, there are three steps involved in paralysis: binding, internalization and inhibition of acetylcholine release. The toxin is composed of a light chain and a heavy chain of molecules which unite to form Botox. The heavy chain causes it to bind to a specific presynaptic neuron. Once inside the cell, the toxin is activated to then cleave apart, separating the two chains. The light chain then cleaves one of the three SNARE proteins. Cleavage of any of the three necessary SNARE proteins ultimately prevents the formation of the docking complex necessary for the release of acetylcholine.

Because of its unique neurological effects, botulinum toxin, specifically toxin type A (Botox or BTX-A), has been used since the 1970s to treat many different disorders characterized by excessive or harmful muscle contraction. One of its first popular applications was to treat various forms of dystonia, which is a neurological disorder characterised by involuntary movements and prolonged, rapid and repetitive muscle contraction. It usually results in twisting body movements, tremors or abnormal posture. Botox treats focal dystonia, or dystonia limited to a specific body part, by partially paralysing the local muscle.

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It can be used on virtually any muscle group, creating many potential applications. Toxin has been used to treat general spasticity resulting from stroke, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. In the early 1980s toxin was found useful in treating children with strabismus, a condition where the visual axes of the eyes are not parallel, causing possible blindness. With this treatment, T is injected into the muscles around the eye, partially paralyzing them. Botox has even been found useful in the treatment of hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating. It works in this application by blocking acetylcholine release from the neuromuscular junction that stimulates sweat glands. Doctors have found Botox injections extremely effective in combating and preventing migraine and tension headaches. While the mechanism is unclear, Botox works against headaches by interfering with any muscular trigger that could provoke a migraine. It is also possible that Botox interferes with pain pathways through some as yet unknown effect on the sensory system

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Botox is mostly well known as an anti wrinkle treatment, it is used widely in the UK to minimize or eliminate  hyperfunctional lines (lines and wrinkles on movement. . Its first target was the glabellar region. It was then found useful in removing the hyperfunctional lines of the forehead and crow’s feet. Botox has also been found effective in treating undesirable bands of the neck and hyperfunctional lines near the mouth..The mechanism of Botox action is the same when used in cosmetic applications as it is when used clinically.

Botox blocks nerve signals to muscles. As a result, injected muscles can’t contract (tense up). These effects are always temporary, but can last for 3 months. The muscle injected depends on the primary area of concern. Several areas can be treated in one session.

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It is injected with a tiny needle to targeted muscles depending on which area we are treating. It is a relatively painless procedure and no numbing is required prior to the injections. There is no down time. The treatment reaches its maximum effect in 2 weeks and gradually wears off over 12 weeks with lines and wrinkle coming back around week 8-9. There are no long lasting effects from the use of Botox.

Botox cosmetic injections are used to address signs of aging. This treatment can smooth fine lines and wrinkles in several areas of your face, including your:

• Eyebrows.

• Forehead.

• Nose.

• Eyes (crow’s feet).

• Lips.

• Chin.

• Jawline.

• Neck.

• Macerator

• Hyperhidrosis

 

It has a beneficial effect on reducing headaches and migraines and it used safety for many other medical complaints.

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