The Chemical Miracle
Within the last few years, the usage of Botox has increased dramatically.
There is no doubt that this sudden increase in popularity is due to the constant advertising in the media by different celebrities and well-known artists.
Since what we see in television is that Botox is being used as a treatment for wrinkles we might be fooled as to think that that is its only benefit.
But that is far from the truth since this drug can treat different conditions that are not dealing directly with aesthetics.
As it was mentioned before, one of the most popular uses of Botox is that of removing wrinkles.
When the toxin botulinum type is injected into a specific target area of the body, it stops the release of a chemical (acetylcholine) that normally allows for the contraction of muscles under the skin.
When the release of this specific chemical is hindered, the muscle is unable to contract again, leaving the skin nice and smooth.
The main target areas usually are wrinkles caused by normal facial expressions such as the frown lines and crow's feet around the eyes.
This drug is also used for the treatment of some eye conditions like blepharospasm, which is an abnormal twitch of the eye, and strabismus, which is commonly referred as lazy eye.
In the case of blepharospasm, involuntary muscle contractions are taking place and since Botox does not allow the release of the chemical acetylcholine that allows muscle contraction, the twitching would stop and the condition can be temporarily cured.
Other similar condition that can be treated like this is cervical dystonia, a condition in which neck muscles contract causing severe pain.
Treatment of some headaches can sometimes involve the use of Botox.
The drug is usually injected in the neck and forehead areas and then it can relieve the pain.
In some cases, migraines can be treated in the same manner but since not all migraines involve muscle spasms this is not an actual treatment for migraine.
Excessive sweating is another condition that can be treated with Botox injections.
Normally, people's bodies regulate temperature by sweating, but for some people this is not the case.
People with hyperhidrosis will sweat more than what they actually need to sweat, sometimes causing discomfort to the person because of the inconveniences that come with this.
People with conditions like hyperhidrosis can benefit from the use of this drug since with an injection, the signal for sweating would be stopped and therefore the condition would be relieved.
Now we have seen that Botox can treat a variety of conditions that range from involuntary muscle twitches to conditions more closely related to aesthetics.
The application of Botox is a simple procedure that does not require surgery unlike most of the other cosmetic procedures; it is so convenient that it can even be done at a doctor's office.
This is why Botox is sometimes referred to as the "miracle poison" or pretty poison by some commentators.
In my experience of 9 years injecting Botox I have been very impressed with this chemical miracle.
There is no doubt that this sudden increase in popularity is due to the constant advertising in the media by different celebrities and well-known artists.
Since what we see in television is that Botox is being used as a treatment for wrinkles we might be fooled as to think that that is its only benefit.
But that is far from the truth since this drug can treat different conditions that are not dealing directly with aesthetics.
As it was mentioned before, one of the most popular uses of Botox is that of removing wrinkles.
When the toxin botulinum type is injected into a specific target area of the body, it stops the release of a chemical (acetylcholine) that normally allows for the contraction of muscles under the skin.
When the release of this specific chemical is hindered, the muscle is unable to contract again, leaving the skin nice and smooth.
The main target areas usually are wrinkles caused by normal facial expressions such as the frown lines and crow's feet around the eyes.
This drug is also used for the treatment of some eye conditions like blepharospasm, which is an abnormal twitch of the eye, and strabismus, which is commonly referred as lazy eye.
In the case of blepharospasm, involuntary muscle contractions are taking place and since Botox does not allow the release of the chemical acetylcholine that allows muscle contraction, the twitching would stop and the condition can be temporarily cured.
Other similar condition that can be treated like this is cervical dystonia, a condition in which neck muscles contract causing severe pain.
Treatment of some headaches can sometimes involve the use of Botox.
The drug is usually injected in the neck and forehead areas and then it can relieve the pain.
In some cases, migraines can be treated in the same manner but since not all migraines involve muscle spasms this is not an actual treatment for migraine.
Excessive sweating is another condition that can be treated with Botox injections.
Normally, people's bodies regulate temperature by sweating, but for some people this is not the case.
People with hyperhidrosis will sweat more than what they actually need to sweat, sometimes causing discomfort to the person because of the inconveniences that come with this.
People with conditions like hyperhidrosis can benefit from the use of this drug since with an injection, the signal for sweating would be stopped and therefore the condition would be relieved.
Now we have seen that Botox can treat a variety of conditions that range from involuntary muscle twitches to conditions more closely related to aesthetics.
The application of Botox is a simple procedure that does not require surgery unlike most of the other cosmetic procedures; it is so convenient that it can even be done at a doctor's office.
This is why Botox is sometimes referred to as the "miracle poison" or pretty poison by some commentators.
In my experience of 9 years injecting Botox I have been very impressed with this chemical miracle.
