The word botox training sheffield is derived from the Latin words “bot” or “bacteria,” meaning poison, and “toxin,” meaning a poisonous substance. This name was used in 1912 by Dr. Ephraim McDowell of New York City as part of his invention of a technique for injecting toxins into muscles to paralyze them, which he called “injection therapy.” The first use of botulinum toxin to treat facial paralysis occurred in 1921 after Dr. McDowell injected a mixture of toxin and alcohol into the face of a young girl with Bell’s palsy, a type of temporary facial paralysis. Her symptoms subsided immediately after the treatment, and she did not have any recurrence of her illness while under the care of Dr. McDowell. Since then, botulinum toxin has been widely used to treat various muscle disorders, including cosmetic procedures such as wrinkle reduction.
Botulinum Toxin Types A & B
There are two types of botulism toxin that can be isolated from Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Type A toxin is found predominantly in contaminated meat products, whereas type B toxin is found predominantly in soil and water. These two types differ structurally because type A contains seven different serotypes (A through G), whereas type B contains only one serotype (B). Both types are neurotoxins, which means they interfere with the function of nerve cells in the body.
Type A toxin is more toxic than type B toxin. It acts by inhibiting acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction, resulting in flaccid paralysis. In contrast, type B toxin inhibits secretion of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Therefore, it causes both flaccid paralysis and spastic paralysis.
How Does Botulinum Toxin Work?
As stated earlier, botulism toxin interferes with acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction, which ultimately results in flaccid paralysis. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that stimulates muscle contraction when released by motor neurons. The neuromuscular junction is a synapse where a nerve cell contacts a muscle fiber. By blocking the release of acetylcholine, botulism toxin can inhibit the normal communication between the neurotransmitter and the muscle. This prevents muscle fibers from contracting normally, which leads to flaccid paralysis.
Botulinum toxin also blocks the release of other neurotransmitters, but research suggests that this effect may not be clinically significant.
In addition, botulinum toxin affects the ability of nerves to communicate with each other, which causes a decrease in the activity of certain skeletal muscles.
Who Is Suitable for Botulinum Toxin Treatments?
Botulinum toxin injections are most often administered by physicians, but many people choose to administer these treatments to themselves, either for aesthetic reasons or to reduce the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles.
People who are appropriate candidates for botulinum toxin injections include those with:
– Muscles that contract excessively, causing excessive wrinkling on the forehead, around the eyes, across the bridge of the nose, under the chin, or elsewhere on the face.
– Muscles that are too tight, causing pain or discomfort.
– Muscles that are too weak, causing sagging skin, drooping eyelids, or excess sweating.
Botulinum toxin injection should ideally be performed by trained medical professionals. However, if you’re considering self-administration, make sure your doctor recommends the procedure before doing so.
Types of Botulinum Toxin Treatments
Botulinum toxin injections can help to temporarily relax facial muscles and smooth out wrinkles. There are three main types of botulinum toxin that can be used to achieve specific effects:
– Botulinum toxin type A. This type of toxin works best for removing wrinkles, reducing rhytides, and improving the overall appearance of the face.
– Botulinum toxin type B. This type of toxin helps to reduce the appearance of certain facial features caused by excessive sweating, like dark circles under the eyes. It may also be used to enhance facial features, like the lips, by increasing their volume. This type of toxin is less effective in treating wrinkles and rhytides.
– Botulinum toxin type C. This type of toxin is commonly used to remove small amounts of hair. Since it is highly concentrated, it is not recommended for use on the face unless there is a medical indication.
