Cosmetic treatments are becoming more and more prevalent. There are many reasons for this, but the leading cause is that people desire a better appearance. That’s why some companies have taken advantage of the power of neurotoxins since there is a demand for them. 

The desire to look good is not a new phenomenon. People have always wanted to look their finest and make themselves stand out from the crowd. There is nothing wrong with wanting to look good, and it’s natural for humans to pursue beauty since the dawn of time. 

However, while there is a pursuit to look good, few are willing to go under the knife. That’s why many companies are examining ways to enhance the beauty and prevent aging without resorting to surgical methods. That’s why we now have treatments that utilize neurotoxins. 

You can find neurotoxins utilized even in the medical field. So why are we using these neurotoxins? Are there precautions and side effects you need that you need to know?

To find out the explanations for these queries, read the article further.

What Are Neurotoxins?

As the name implies, neurotoxins are toxins. They are substances that can cause damage to the nervous system. You can find them in various places, including plants, animals, and even humans. 

Neurotoxins are often used as pesticides or insecticides because they have a high toxicity level and work quickly.

Neurotoxins can also find them in some foods like shellfish and certain types of fish. These neurotoxins are usually not harmful unless you eat them regularly or have an allergy to them.

But we won’t be just using any neurotoxin for cosmetic treatments and in the medical field. We will be using botulinum neurotoxin. 

What is Botulinum Neurotoxin?

Botulinum is a neurotoxin that can cause botulism. It is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and sometimes other Clostridia species. Currently, it is one of the most potent naturally-occurring toxins known to man. 

If this toxin enters your body, it can lead to respiratory and muscular paralysis. It is a life-threatening toxin that causes difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and death. You may need an antitoxin to remove its effects; even then, recovery takes weeks or months. 

Why Are We Using Neurotoxins For Cosmetics And Medical Purposes?

So if they are very dangerous, why are they being used for medical and cosmetic purposes? We are using these neurotoxins precisely due to their potency and effects. Let me explain.

Pursuing beauty and then fighting back the signs of aging is a goal humans have wanted for centuries. However, there was no practical way to fight signs of aging until the current cosmetic treatments came around. 

Every moment, we make a facial expression on our faces. Happy or sad, it doesn’t matter; we use our facial muscles to create an expression. However, our facial muscles eventually wear out due and entangle themselves to excessive and prolonged use. 

To slow down and remove signs of aging, we need to find a way to untangle these muscles and then prevent them from contracting. What other item does that other than neurotoxins? While different formulas can also stop your muscle from contracting, their effects are very temporary, unlike botulinum toxin. 

How Does Botulinum Neurotoxin Work?

Botulinum neurotoxin works by blocking the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that transmits signals from one neuron to another. It prevents muscles from contracting and leads to paralysis.

Since the communication is cut off, there is no communication between the muscles and the brain. So no matter how hard you think about moving a muscle, it won’t budge at all. Likewise, since there is no communication, the muscle can finally relax and untangle themselves from years of hard work. 

 Botulinum Neurotoxin Applications

The FDA has approved botulinum toxin to treat cervical dystonia, blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm, chronic migraine, and strabismus. It has also been approved for use in treating glabellar lines (frown lines between the eyebrows), upper lip wrinkles, crow’s feet (lines at the corners of the eyes), and other facial wrinkles.

The FDA has approved using botulinum toxin since 1989, but it was first discovered in 1891 by Dr. Edward Jukes and Dr. Ernest Besredka, who was researching food poisoning at the time.

The cosmetic or medical provider will only use botulinum neurotoxins to specific areas that need addressing. They will apply it only in small doses, enough to do the job but not enough to affect the other areas. 

Botulinum neurotoxin can also address a square jawline, gummy smile, and to a certain extent, also applicable as a facelift procedure. Likewise, a lot of people use botulinum toxin to address hand wrinkles. 

Take note that applying botulinum toxin isn’t just for anyone to do. You need to be an expert to identify which skin layer and muscles to target correctly. Anyone can paralyze a muscle, but not everyone can adequately balance aesthetics and effectiveness. 

Precautions

So when you want a botulinum neurotoxin to fight signs of aging, make sure that you find the right provider first. Select the right providers by seeking some appointments and checking on their profiles. 

If you find someone who isn’t an expert, they may give you too much of the botulinum neurotoxin! As a result, it will make your face appear frozen in place. On top of that, it would take months before the effects subsided!

Likewise, after you’ve had your botulinum neurotoxin treatment, you need to avoid touching your face and drinking some alcohol. Touching your face can spread the toxin to unwanted areas, and drinking alcohol may cause bruising. 

Side Effects?

Botulinum neurotoxin’s potential side effects may include pain, swelling, bruising, headaches, or flu-like symptoms. However, they are easily preventable if you follow your provider’s instructions and you find the right provider. 

Takeaway

Botulinum neurotoxin treatment is also commonly known as Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin. They are very similar to each other, but they act differently and cannot be used interchangeably. If you are looking for this treatment to fight off signs of aging, make sure to reach out to JSJ Aesthetics. They offer cosmetic treatments that you can adjust based on your needs and goals.