Effect of Botox (Source: http://www.rejuvmedical.com/pages/BotoxCosmetic/)
Everyday term “Botox” is not the correct term of therapy, but the trade name of Botulinum toxin A, a protein and neurotoxin. Botulinum toxin A is secreted by anaerobic bacteria, called clostridium botulinum. This toxin deters the secretion of acetylcholine from the endings of the motor nerves. The main function of acetylcholine is to transmit a nerve impulse to a muscle, causing it to contract. Thus, the blockage of the neurotransmitter leads to paralysis and relaxation of the applicable muscle. This feature makes the Botox be used widespread for cosmetic use as well as medical use, for it removes wrinkles, and smoothes out facial lines, giving skin a smoother appearance. There has been a controversy whether the Botox is a safe and effective procedure or not because the toxin causes a fatal illness to humans and animals.
Image of how botox works (Source: http://www.odec.ca/projects/2004/tsej4j0/public_html/process2.html)
Generally, some health groups are against the use of Botox to prevent aging. These groups often point out that Botox is made up of commercialized Botulinum toxin A, which is proven to be poisonous and life threatening to organisms. This is indeed true. However, to accurately examine the safety and effectiveness of using Botox, we need to look at how cell biology mechanism of the toxin works. Botulinum toxin type A has both heavy chain and light chain. It uses its heavy chain in order to bind to acceptor sites on motor nerve terminals and enter a neuron through endocytosis. Using the protease activity of the light chain, Botulinum toxin A cleaves and degrades the SNAP-25 protein, which is needed to release neurotransmitters, particularly acetylcholine, from vesicles that are located in the axon endings. This results in the disruption of the release of acetylcholine that transmits a nerve impulse to a muscle, causing it to contract. Consequently, paralysis and relaxation of the applicable muscle happens for about four months.
From the mechanism above, when used in therapeutic dose, Botox does not cause serious and harmful problems to humans. In fact, pharmacological Botulinum toxin A has an excellent safety record. The most common and main side effects of Botulinum toxin A are injection site pain and bruising. Its estimated lethal dose for human beings is within the range of 2500–3000 units. Furthermore, it has been long time since Botox was approved by the FDA. It was first approved by the FDA as treatment for blepharospasm in 1989, and then for dystonia and hyperhidrosis in 2000. Finally, in 2002, Botox was approved as the cosmetic enhancement. The effectiveness of Botulinum toxin A in treating diseases is clearly exhibited by the study done by Carruthers, JA.
In conclusion, the use of Botulinum toxin A in cosmetic facial procedures and medical use is very reliable. It is very safe since typical dosage for cosmetic use is 20-50 units while lethal dose is 2500–3000 units for humans. Use of Botox in a safe and effective manner depends on how patients follow the procedures under authorized health care providers.
This shows how botox is safe and used in many ways by dermatologist Dr Barry Lycka. (This video is from the youtube username Barry Lycka.)
-Jong Jin Park
