What is Botox?
Botox® has been used medically for a long time to treat very specific muscular conditions such as:
But what is Botox® exactly? Botox® is made from a neurotoxin called botulinum toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, an organism found in the natural environment (including soil, lakes, and forests) where it is largely inactive and non-toxic. Infection with the organism is dangerous to human health as it causes a potentially fatal disease called ‘botulism’. Botox is, however, the purified form of Botulinum toxin A and is generally considered very safe when injected into the muscles or veins. The drug carries an FDA warning stating it has the potential of spreading to other sites when the injection is administered. The warning was made compulsory in 2009, following deaths associated with Botox use. This does not mean the drug is unsafe though as there have not been confirmed cases of spread of the toxin away from the injection site when administered at the recommended dose for many of its approved medical and cosmetic applications. Many people have been successfully treated with the drug without any pronounced side effect.
The process of administration is simple. In its purest form, the Botulinum toxin comes in as a very fine white powder. The powder is then diluted in a saline solution which makes it easy for your practitioner to inject into the desired area.