Things to know before getting Botox

Botox is actually a brand name for botulinum toxin A, but most people refer to it as Botox because it is shorter. There are many brands in the market today, and they, too, are sometimes referred to as Botox.
Botulinum toxin A is a type of protein complex long been used in the treatment of various dystonias (a neurological movement disorder). It has a complex mechanism of action that results in muscle relaxation. Botulinum toxin is made from a toxin produced by the bacterium called clostridium botulinum, thus the name.
This substance works by temporarily paralysing the muscles that cause wrinkles. When the muscles in that area can't move, the wrinkles don’t show. It is an effective way to reduce crow’s feet, laugh lines, and frown lines. Botulinum toxin can also help treat an overly square or prominent jaw line by relaxing the bulky masseter muscles.
Botulinum toxin for medical use must be of the highest purity. Generally, the clostridium botulinum bacteria are cultured in the laboratories to ensure maximum purity. The higher the purity, the lower the risk of complications and negative reactions.
Although botulinum toxin has been approved for the treatment of several medical conditions since 1989, it was only approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cosmetic use in April 2002. The substance itself is generally safe, and allergic reactions are very rare. Still, it does not mean that you can go to any clinic, use any brand, and expect the same results.
What you inject is equally important as how it is injected. A high-quality botulinum toxin will not yield satisfactory results if injected by an unskilled doctor. Likewise, even the best dermatologist can’t do much with substandard botulinum toxin. It is important to choose a doctor that you can trust and a brand you are comfortable with.
Today, there are many brands in the market but not all of them are safe. Do not trust advertisements, especially those on the Internet. The quality of the substance plays an important role in how successful the results are, so you should not focus on finding the most inexpensive deal only.
Non-purified botulinum toxin can trigger the body’s natural response to produce antibodies to fight it, and it will be ineffective. Sometimes, the impurity of the substance can cause allergic reactions. Recently, a brand has successfully developed a 98-per-cent pure botulinum toxin. Reports have shown that results are more visible and faster. Generally, results are seen within a week or two, but this brand claims that its botulinum toxin can speed up the results to only 1-3 days.
More research and evidence are still needed before we can definitely say that this is the botulinum toxin of the future. Your dermatologist should be able to give you more information and recommendations. Do not hesitate to ask as many questions as you want, because the more you know, the easier it will be to make the right decision.