There are no long-term or life-threatening side effects associated with botulinum toxin treatment for any cosmetic indication. In addition, the risk of possible complications can be reduced by a thorough analysis of the patient's medical history and the use of the appropriate dose and technique for injection. While botulinum toxin is generally considered safe, its widespread use and ever-expanding indications pose safety concerns. This study aimed to review serious and long-term adverse events associated with the therapeutic and cosmetic use of botulinum toxin. Serious adverse events included dysphagia, respiratory compromise, generalized muscle weakness, marked bilateral ptosis, pseudoaneurysm of the frontal branch of the temporal artery, necrotizing fasciitis, sarcoidal granuloma, Fournier's gangrene, and cervical kyphosis.
Death was attributed to botulism or anaphylactic shock. In conclusion, botulinum toxin can cause serious adverse effects, which are more frequent after its therapeutic use, but can also be noticed after cosmetic use. A thorough knowledge of the anatomy of the treated muscles and the pharmacology of the drug is essential to avoid serious adverse events. Botox injections are a popular cosmetic procedure that has been used for decades to reduce wrinkles and fine lines on the face. The injections are made up of a purified form of botulinum toxin, a neurotoxin produced by bacteria that can cause paralysis when ingested in large amounts.
Botox works by blocking nerve signals that tell muscles to contract, temporarily paralyzing them and reducing wrinkles. The number of injections needed depends on many factors, including the extent of the treated area. Botox is an FDA-approved low-risk treatment with an excellent safety record. If you continue to work with a reputable and experienced injector, you are unlikely to experience any negative effects from long-term use of BOTOX. This is not common, but Wexler says that patients who start Botox too early, such as age 20, may be at risk for this side effect. In this study, a twin received Botox on her forehead and glabellar lines (between the eyebrows) routinely for 13 years.
Keep reading to learn more about the safety of Botox, common uses, side effects to look out for, and more. Ever since the FDA approved Botox in the 1980s, people around the world have been obsessed with the injectable to aesthetically deceive the aging process, at least. Botulinum toxins are among the most toxic poisons known to humans, with a lethal dose of approximately 1 ng per kilogram of body weight. But a recent study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison has raised new questions about how Botox works in the body. With this in mind, some researchers speculate that cosmetic applications may carry fewer risks than therapeutic Botox injections because the doses are usually much smaller. BOTOX is a neurotoxin that works by interrupting signals in the brain, which tells certain muscles to contract.
For patients with debilitating ailments such as chronic migraines, the relief provided by Botox can be life-changing. The treatments, the best known one has the brand name Botox, are a purified derivative of botulinum toxin A, made from a bacterium that is a deadly poison. If you choose not to continue, muscles that remain out of use while Botox is active can slow down the aging process; it reduces movement when injected, slowing the formation of wrinkles, Farber explains. If you decide to take a break from BOTOX, you can safely stop taking it at any time and resume it at any time without adverse effects. Ask your primary care doctor for a referral or find a doctor who specializes in your condition and who has experience administering Botox treatments. Botox is a neurotoxin that temporarily blocks communication between nerves and muscles, explains dermatologist Mara Weinstein, MD.
Wexler says that some patients complain of visible skin weakening after many years of using Botox. Botox injections block certain chemical signals from nerves, mainly signals that cause muscles to contract. Botox injections begin to take effect within one to three days after injection. Over this period of time it will start blocking acetylcholine release causing muscle weakness.
The procedure is usually done in a doctor's office using a fine needle to inject small amounts of botulinum toxin into skin or muscles. In summary, botulinum toxin can cause serious adverse effects if not used properly or if used in excessive doses. It is important for patients considering botulinum toxin treatments to consult with an experienced doctor who has knowledge about anatomy and pharmacology in order to reduce risks associated with its use. Although there have been reports of serious side effects associated with long-term use of BOTOX such as visible skin weakening or paralysis due to anaphylactic shock or botulism; these cases are rare when working with an experienced injector.
