Botox facts and myths: Botox is an injectable material the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved to treat dynamic wrinkles (wrinkles caused by facial movements).
While many people may have heard of Botox – or know someone who has it – they may not know these five facts about Botox and its many medical uses.
Contents
Fact1: Botox Contains One of the Deadliest Toxins Known
Botox is actually small amounts of the botulinum toxin. The toxin most often grows in canned foods that aren’t safely prepared.
The Clostridium botulinum toxin grows in the cans and can block nerve and muscle function.
In rare instances, the toxin can impair the heart and lung’s abilities to work.
However, there are several forms of the botulinum toxin, ranging from types A to H.
Type H is one of the deadliest in the world, and (fortunately) is not the type used for Botox cosmetic injections. Instead, Botox A and B are the types used.
Fact 2: Doctors Used To Use It To Correct Eye-Crossing
Although most people starting hearing about Botox in the early 2000s, the drug has been on the market for much longer. In fact, eye doctors had been using it since the late 1980s to treat strabismus or eye-crossing.
Because Botox corrects overactive muscles, it was an effective treatment in helping reducing eye spasm and strabismus.
More than a decade later, doctors started seeing the other opportunities to expand its uses.
Fact 3: Botox is the Most Popular Cosmetic Procedure in the World
From its humble beginnings as a toxin ad eye-crossing correcter, Botox has truly hit the big time in terms of treatment capabilities.
Nearly 7.2 million Botox treatments were delivered in 2017, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
This number is more than the next five most popular treatments combined.
These include chemical peels, laser hair removal, microdermabrasion, soft tissue fillers, and intensely pulsed light treatments.
Fact 4: Doctors Use Botox To Treat Way More Than Wrinkles
Botox has truly proven itself a safe, wonder drug. Today, it has applications for many different conditions. For example, doctors use Botox to correct hyperhidrosis, a condition that causes excessive sweating.
They also use it to treat overactive bladder, migraine headaches, jaw pains from temporomandibular joint disorder, and much more.
Although the FDA hasn’t officially approved all these uses, there are many off-label uses.
Fact 5: Lost Of men Use Botox Too
Women aren’t the only ones who are big fans of Botox. Men get it too – and lots of them.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the amount of men getting Botox has increased by a resounding 337 percent since the year 2000.
Both men and women are using Botox as a non-surgical solution to improve the appearance of their wrinkles.
Conclusions
Botox is an example of a medication that came from a substance previously known to be harmful.
Today, millions of people have tried and regularly use Botox to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and treat a number of other health concerns.
In the hands of an experienced and safe injector, Botox can offer wrinkle-reducing results for many.
References:
- 2017 national plastic surgery statistics (2018). Retrieved from plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2017/plastic-surgery-statistics-infographic-2017.pdf
- Facts about botox cosmetic. (2018). Retrieved from botoxcosmetic.com/men/
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Kristie Leong M.D.
I’m a family practice physician with a strong interest in preventive medicine. I trained at the Medical College of Virginia where I earned a medical degree (M.D.) and a master’s degree after graduating with a double bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology.
My philosophy? Strive to be fit and fabulous at any age! I show people how to do that through my writing.
Read more about me here.
