Botox is a prescription drug derived from a toxin produced by the
bacterium Clostridium botulinum that can be used to relax wrinkles and
reduce signs of aging temporarily. Despite how often this treatment is
used, many patients continue to wonder about its safety and the
long-term effects.
The botulinum toxin was originally developed
to treat neurological conditions such as eye muscle disorders. The FDA
then allowed Botox to be used as a treatment for cervical dystonia, a
disorder causing severe neck and shoulder contractions. In the course of
medical research, doctors eventually discovered a new use for the
treatment: the elimination of frown lines between the eyebrows. After
further research, the FDA approved the use of Botox for cosmetic
purposes in 2002.
Since then, doctors have been using Botox in a
nonpermanent way to soften "worry lines" and wrinkles around the eyes,
cheeks, forehead, jaw, and neck. In terms of its physiological action,
Botox blocks nerve signals that would normally tell muscles to contract,
and the results are a temporary relaxation and elimination of wrinkles.
While the components that make up Botox are based on the botulinum
toxin, the treatments used for cosmetic procedures contain diluted and
purified versions of the poison. These methods allow it to be safely
used in cosmetic surgery.
Dr. Stefan Kieserman owns and operates a
private practice on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. With a diverse
repertoire of traditional and alternative antiaging methods at his
disposal, Dr. Kieserman is uniquely prepared to diagnose and recommend
beautification options for his patients.
