Botox - What Does It Do?

With all the hype and insanity over people getting Botox injections for everything from a sagging chin to a droopy eyelid, one has to wonder just what it is that Botox does and how exactly does it work?

To understand exactly what Botox is and what it does, we first have to look at just how this amazing miracle of modern science came to be.

Botulinum toxins, which are what Botox basically comes from, were first researched back in the good old 60s during the hippie era.  Originally the purpose of this was to treat neurological disorders.  In 1989 Botox was finally approved by the FDA to treat eye muscle disorders like blepharospasm, uncontrollable blinking, strabismus, crossed eyes and even wrinkles.  In the year 2000 it was approved to treat cervical dystonia.  This is a disorder that causes severe neck and shoulder contractions and also a very unusual side effect of eye disorder treatments.  In their research, doctors discovered that Botox softened the frown lines between the eyebrows.  It was after this discovery that Botox officially came into existence and was FDA approved on April 15, 2002.

So what exactly does Botox do?  How does it work?  Well, when Botox is injected into the muscles of the forehead, it blocks nerve impulses which results in the weakening of the muscles that cause frowning.  Eventually over a period of several months, given enough of these injections, the frown lines start to get softer and in many cases eventually disappear completely.  Botox can also be injected into the muscles of the face that cause crows feet, forehead lines and frown lines.

Botox injections themselves are actually a diluted form of botulism.  Yes, the same botulism that can make us very ill.  Botox cosmetic is a purified form the Botulinum toxin.

The next question is, how exactly does it work?  Well, to put it simply, every time you laugh, smile, frown, or for that matter do just about anything with your facial muscles, wrinkles are caused by the underlying contractions of these muscles.  After years of making these expressions the wear and tear on your face begins to be noticeable and the lines start to become permanent.  When these creases become permanent, no kind of skin cream can get rid of them.  That's where Botox comes in.  After being injected into the effected area, it temporarily paralyzes these muscles so that you can't make these expressions.  That's why people who have had Botox injections literally look like mannequins.  You'll still have enough movement to look semi human (a matter of opinion) but not enough to cause these wrinkles.  So in fact by taking these Botox injections they make you look younger.

So what's the price for this "fountain of youth?" Botox is not cheap, my friend.  The average cost of just one Botox injection in the United States is about $350.  This also depends on what area of your face is getting the injections.  The area near the eyes is more expensive, costing between $400 and $900 per injection.  For large surface areas such as the forehead, injections can be between $600 and $1300 a pop.

And with all the fuss about simply looking younger, one has to wonder how safe these injections are.  That is probably best left for another time.

Botox - The Rumor Mill

You knew it had to happen.  Eventually the whole world would be looking at every Hollywood star and trying to figure out the one burning question in the back of their mind, "Did she or didn't she?" or, he as the case may be.  We of course are referring to the stars who have gone and gotten themselves a bit of Botox injected into their faces.

While none of the rumors can be confirmed, except by the few stars who have actually admitted to having Botox injections, these rumors are still flying around the Internet and magazines.  Some may surprise you.  Others, you probably would have bet your life that they were getting pumped up.

We'll start the rumor mill off with probably two of the hottest stars today because of the show "Desperate Housewives". We're of course referring to the very hot Nicolette Sheridan and Teri Hatcher.  In an actual interview, Hatcher admits to having had some work done on her face.  She said, and I quote, "In the past I've had Botox and collagen".  She then went on to deny that she and Nicolette Sheridan have had any plastic surgery and didn't know if Sheridan had had Botox injections.  Sheridan herself would not offer any comment but if you take a good look at her face, as many plastic surgery experts have pointed out, and compare it to her days on Knots Landing, it is painfully obvious that she has had work done on her face and most likely has had Botox as well.

Hatcher went on to say that she stopped the Botox injections, not for any health reasons but simply because she finally decided to let herself age naturally.  She said that the last time she had an injection was over a year ago.

Another big name in the rumor mill is Cher.  She has always publicly admitted to having work done on her face as well as many other parts of her body.  However, she admits to some surgeries but when asked about other surgeries she denies them.  As for Botox, she has never actually said she has or hasn't.  The question probably just never came up.

Of course, one of the most famous names in history for plastic surgery is Joan Rivers.  She is one of the few people who has admitted to having so much work done on her face and her body that she incorporates jokes about these procedures into her comedy routine.  She has made Botox a running joke in her life and it has paid off.

The men are not exempt from the Botox craze.  Ryan Seacrest, it has been reported, has been forbidden by doctors to have anymore Botox treatments for certain undisclosed health reasons.  These reports have not been confirmed but they are all over the Internet.

And the list of stars goes on and on.  Famous celebrities on the rumor mill also include Sylvester Stallone, Elizabeth Taylor, Madonna and Phyllis Diller.

With millions of people getting these shots each year, according to statistics, somebody is getting them and let's face it, some of these people shouldn't be looking as good as they do.

Botox - Is It Really Safe?

There is an old story about a town of people who were running for their lives from an approaching asteroid.  They ran to the edge of town and were confronted with a cliff and a long drop.  Seeing the asteroid behind them, they all jumped off the cliff.  On the way down, one person shouted out, "Do you think we're going to survive the fall?"

Such is the case with people and less extreme circumstances, such as when they look in the mirror and see they have wrinkles on their forehead, crows feet and heaven knows what else.  They scream in horror saying, "My God! Where is my Botox?" and they head straight for the doctor.  Then, after getting the injection, they ask the doctor, "Um, doc, is this stuff safe?"

The truth is, up to the present, nobody has proven that Botox is harmful in any way.  But one has to ask oneself a few questions and compare the situation to other things in medical history that at first appeared to be perfectly safe and then turned out to be total disasters, resulting in massive lawsuits.  To illustrate an example of this one needs to go no further than Vioxx.  The lawyers are having a field day with that one. 

Given that Botox is made from botulism, albeit a purified form, one has to wonder just how safe this stuff really is, especially if taken for a long period of time.  To start our suspicions we need go no further than some studies that were done on doctors who perform such procedures as Botox injections. 

Research shows that many doctors fail to take a person's medical history before even administering these injections.  That is something that should be standard procedure.  Then there are the so called "lunch time treatments" where patients just pop by a doctors office for an injection with no appointment, much like getting an allergy shot.  Currently there are attempts to make tighter restrictions on these pop in treatments. 

Then there are those reports of actual botched treatments where the doctor injected the wrong area of the patient in spite of the fact that it was clearly indicated in the patient's chart which areas were to be injected for that particular visit. 

While none of this actually proves that Botox itself is dangerous, it does tend to make a person wonder.  If treatments involving Botox are so lax and regulations are so weak or non existent, then certainly there is too much room for abuse by money-hungry doctors who have no concern for their patients' well being.  The simple answer of "It's perfectly safe" just doesn't wash with all that is going on and reported everyday. 

The only thing we do know for certain about Botox is that it can cause side effects such as bruising, headaches, double vision or temporary drooping of the eyebrow or lid.  Also, it can leave the face without expression.  And the medical profession has admitted that if more than 2000 units are injected it can be toxic.  A normal session is about 50 units. 

Well, at least it's a start.  Now the world just sits and waits for the other shoe to drop just like with Vioxx.

Breast Enlargement Pills

A lot of women are embarrassed because they have small breasts, and often they feel nervously ashamed when it's time to wear a bathing suit, or conscious when they see the plunging necklines on other women's evening dresses. Other women who used to have large, full breasts may be dismayed to find them sagging after giving birth.

Breast enhancement is one of the most-discussed topics today among women, and include the highly publicized controversy over breast implants. With the health risks and dangerous side effects of implants, not to mention the costs, women have long searched for safe and proven alternatives.

These days, a lot of different Internet firms advertise and sell breast enlargement pills. Most of them claim that by taking their ‘natural’ products, one can increase her breast size by one to two inches, which is about 2 to 3 cup sizes, in as short as 90 days. These herbal tablets sold usually contain chemicals called phyto-estrogens.

The phyto-estrogens, these companies claim, are chemicals that stimulate the estrogen receptors in your breast tissue and permanently enlarge your breast size. Phyto-estrogens are chemicals found in plant foods, and are similar in structure to the female sex hormone estrogen. Many modern medicines were originally made from plants, and the effect they have depends on the chemicals in the plant, how they work in the body and on how the product is manufactured.

The combination of herbs in breast enhancement pills seem to vary depending on the company making and selling them. Among the commonly-used herbs are Fenugreek extract, Blessed Thistle, Dong Quai, Fennel seed, wild yam extract, Siberian Ginseng, Chinese red ginseng root, guarana seed and Fo Ti root.

Natural breast enhancement pills are theoretically an effective method in increasing breast size because some of them contain herbs that have known estrogen-like effects on the body. Birth control pills too are thought to temporarily increase breast size in the same way that estrogen causes fluid retention in the breasts and may have an effect on breast tissue.

If breast enhancement pills do have estrogen-like effects on a woman's body, there are some safety concerns. Estrogen if given on its own stimulates the growth of tissue in the uterus and is believed to promote uterine cancer, which is why birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy normally contain progesterone to counter the estrogen's effects on the uterus.

It is however not fully ascertained if natural breast enhancement pills stimulate the growth of uterine tissue. There is also no evidence about whether natural breast enhancement pills interfere with fertility, menstruation, or the effectiveness of birth control pills.

When taking breast enlargement pills, it's important to remember a couple of things, regardless of which breast enlargement product you choose. First be sure to follow the directions included in the package as far as how and when to take the product.

 Second, be certain to use the product for at least 6 months, since despite what others may say, there is no "quick fix" for natural breast enhancement. Although most women want to quickly transform their bodies instantly, we are all aware that lasting change takes time, and breast enhancement pills are no different.

Botox: A Hit In The Cosmetic World

Who would have thought that something that is supposedly poisonous could have so many people clamoring for it?

Skepticism proven wrong

When botox hit the market, many were skeptical on the effects of these newly developed chemical. A protein complex made from a bacterium called clostridium botulinum, many feared that the chemical will have the same effect on the skin as it has on the body. For those who do not yet know, botox come from the same toxin that can cause food poisoning in humans.

It turned out to be quite effective and a huge huge success especially in the cosmetic surgery business. It is also being used to relieve pain in muscle areas of people who have has chronic pains. Its is actually so effective that people who were normally confined to their homes because of the pain now live normal lives.

Popular alternative

Since botox inhibits the release of acetylcholine, a chemical responsible for the contraction of muscles in various parts of the body, it is primarily used to clear out wrinkles and frown lines in the face through injection in the areas of concern. The effect of the drug can last for several months. Only small amounts of the toxin are however used for these cosmetic procedures. Too much use of the toxin can produce disastrous side effects.

In 2001 alone, almost 1.6 million Americans have had botox injections in different areas of their bodies. This is a significant increase from 2000’s figures. In fact, botox injections are even more popular than the immensely popular breast enhancement and breast augmentation procedures.

Botox parties

The procedure has become so popular in fact that people even organize parties and social events just for the occasion of injecting botox. This is actually part of the marketing campaign that has gained botox injections so many followers. Women (and men) who regularly inject botox for maintenance get together in small gatherings and simultaneously inject botox. Outsiders especially those who have not yet tried the drugs but are interested can join the party.

Abuse and overuse

One of the growing concerns in the industry is the potential abuse of the drug. Although botox is basically a prescription drugs, there are unqualified people who are distributing the medicine. And because the drug must be injected again and again to maintain its effect, there is also the danger of the drug being overused or for people to over-apply thinking that it will lengthen the effect of the drug.

Injecting too much botox or accidentally injecting it on the wrong area can cause droopy eyelid muscles, a condition called ptosis. This could last for several weeks. Other side effects that botox have are headaches, respiratory infections, flu-like symptoms and even nausea. Some people will also experience pain on the area where the botox was applied as well as redness and swelling. There will also some muscle weakness around the area where the botox was applied.

Contraindications

Although botox is available to all people, there are some who are allergic to the toxin. So it is best that one consults a physician first before applying the drug. Although there has never been any studies or research on the effect of botox on pregnant women and on nursing women, medical people err on the safe side and just prohibit the drug.