How is botox safe

Some scientists have estimated that 1 gram of a crystalline form of the toxin could kill 1 million people and that a couple of kilograms could kill every human on the planet. However, when Botox is appropriately used in a therapeutic context, it is safe and has few side effects, the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology report.

Manufacturers make Botox injections with very small doses of Botulinum toxin. The drug can temporarily paralyze muscles, which can benefit people with various muscle or nerve disorders. Commercial preparations of Botulinum toxin include :. Botox is a neurotoxin. These substances target the nervous system, disrupting the nerve signaling processes that stimulate muscle contraction.

This is how the drug causes temporary muscle paralysis. In order for any muscle to contract, the nerves release a chemical messenger called acetylcholine at the junction where nerve endings meet muscle cells. Acetylcholine attaches to receptors on the muscle cells and causes the cells to contract, or shorten. Botox injections prevent the release of acetylcholine, which stops the muscle cells from contracting.

In this way, the toxin helps the muscles to become less stiff. The primary use of Botox is reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles. According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery , Botox injections are the most popular cosmetic procedure nationwide. In , over 7 million people had Botox treatments. The effects are temporary, lasting 3—12 months , depending on the type of treatment. Research has not shown whether Botox could improve dark circles under the eyes.

Learn more here. Some people also try Botox to improve the appearance of their hair. There is little evidence that this works, however. Find out more here. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.

Overview Botox injections are noted primarily for the ability to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Carruthers J, et al. Overview of botulinum toxin for cosmetic injections. Accessed Dec.

Botox prescribing information. Madison, N. Accessed Jan. Cerebral palsy. Rochester, Minn. Avram MR, et al. In fact, you may laugh at the comedic portrayals of characters trying to conjure facial expressions after a recent Botox injection.

Remember, Botox is designed to gently smooth out wrinkles and give your face a healthy, rejuvenated look. Because this treatment is not a permanent solution to aging skin, results may wear off after 6 to 12 weeks. The needles used during each procedure are very fine and the number of injections will depend on the area being treated.

Curious about how Botox can make you look younger? To learn about the other cosmetic dermatology treatments we offer, visit our website! Basically: when it's done right. When it's done wrong—like, really, really wrong—it can cause "botulism-like symptoms," according to Mayo Clinic, which may include muscle weakness, trouble breathing, speaking or swallowing, bladder control issues, and vision problems.

That is "very unlikely," but a more than convincing enough reason not to go bargain hunting for Botox. It comes in powder form, and your doctor dilutes it with saline to make it an injectable. By using saline, they're also "watering it down," effectively taking out any noxious capabilities.

So you're good. And no, Ben, saying it's poisonous isn't correct nor an effective reason to make me not go under the needle. The chemical kicks into action, blocking nerve transmission in nearby muscles, effectively freezing the area. After the injection moves from the dermis and into the desired muscle, the nerves there are blocked—rather, their synapses, are blocked—by the Botox.

So even though your brain my fire and signal for your body to move a particular muscle, Botox effectively blocks that firing and keeps the muscle from moving. The injected muscle can no longer contract, which causes the wrinkles to relax and soften, and also helps prevent new ones from forming. Botox stays only where injected, it does not roam through the body.