Botulinum Toxin Injections

Botulinum toxin used to only be known as a deadly poison, however botulinum toxin injections were first FDA approved in December 1989 to treat muscle disorders. The FDA approved the botulinum toxin injections to treat frown lines on April 15, 2002. Botulinum toxin injections commonly referred to as just botox, have become an increasingly popular procedure to non-invasively treat lines and wrinkles on the face. A growing trend has become "botox parties" where groups of friends get together in a social manner to all have botulinum toxin injections.

It is predicted that botulinum toxin injections will reach sales of $650 million in the U.S. by 2005. The fastest growing cosmetic procedure in the industry, botulinum toxin injections have increased over the previous year by 46%, with over 1.6 million people choosing to have botulinum toxin injections in the U.S. last year. Botulinum toxin injections works by using a form of sterile, purified botulinum toxin in small doses to block the release of a chemical called acetylcholine by nerve cells that signal muscle contraction.

The FDA approved botulinum toxin injections after being satisfied with its review of studies that indicated frown lines were reduced for up to 120 days. The high marketing of botulinum toxin injections has been attributed to the development of botox parties where groups of friends can receive volume discounts. With the high number of botulinum toxin injections now performed it is easy to overlook the safety issues involved with the cosmetic procedure.

A qualified doctor should perform the botulinum toxin injections that has received training and is qualified in cosmetic skin surgery of the face. Getting large groups of friends together to all receive botulinum toxin injections can take away any nervousness an individual may feel, however it can also take away the individual patient care, especially if the doctor has not been adequately chosen. Botulinum toxin injections can be abused and when things become so popular that they are used in high numbers people begin to lose sight of the potential dangers.

Improper technique, inappropriate dosages, and unsanitary conditions when getting a botulinum toxin injection can lead to complications. A qualified doctor administering the botulinum toxin injections will have the knowledge, training, and experience necessary to respond to any potential complications that arise. The FDA says that there is no chance of contracting botulism from the botulinum toxin injections but it is not recommended to get botulinum toxin injections more than once every three months and should be administered at the lowest effective dose.

Even though the effects of botulinum toxin injections are not long lasting, the popularity of the procedure continues to grow. Individuals appreciate the non-invasive option to reverse the signs of aging and do not seem to mind having to repeat botulinum toxin injections every 4-6 months. If you would like more information on botulinum toxin injections please contact us.