Botulinum Toxin (Botox) is one of the most demanded and at the same time most rejected treatments. Many patients, when the word “botox” is mentioned to them, express fear because of the result they associate (inexpression, unnatural facial parts) or because of lack of knowledge, as they relate it to something unnatural. This happens because it is related to badly treated faces with poorly injected “botox”, which leads away from a natural beauty.
History of Botulinum Toxin
The origin of this substance dates back to 1977. Its origin, like most medical discoveries, was somewhat coincidental. In the case of Botulinum Toxin, it was an ophthalmologist, treating strabismus and, later, a neurologist, looking for the reduction of facial tics in children he was treating.
In both cases it was observed that, in the area where the Botulinum Toxin was injected, facial wrinkles decreased. It is a highly purified protein that was applied then and is applied now in infinitesimal doses. It is a substance, therefore, that has been applied for about 40 years. However, fears and aversion towards “botox” have arisen recently.
Botulinum toxin applications and benefits
It is important to inform patients that botox is a form of preventive medicine in Aesthetic Medicine. Botox is used to relax the muscles of expression to soften expression wrinkles and fatigue and thus prevent them from deepening over time when gesturing.
In addition, the use of Botulinum Toxin has recently been approved in the Spanish Health System for the treatment of migraines and headaches, a usefulness already proven years ago. Among the latest discovered benefits of Botulinum Toxin is the regulation of sweating. There are cases of patients who have had “botox” applied to their armpits every six months due to a problem of excessive sweating (Hyperhidrosis) and the results have been very favorable, allowing the patients to lead a normal life.
Likewise, in the last National Congresses of Dermatology, the improvements in depressive symptoms after the second week of application of Botulinum Toxin were also discussed. However, these were still conclusions obtained from a phase of clinical trials, so they have yet to be confirmed.
In summary, the much-maligned Botulinum Toxin has fewer adverse side effects than other toxic substances such as tobacco or alcohol, which can be fatal. Thus, the medical and aesthetic benefits of botox allow for a radiant, rested and relaxed face.