Sunday, February 22, 2009

Botox Mania Part 5

All Botox vials are intended for single use in a single patient. Once opened and diluted, the product must be used within a few hours. However, at the Botox parties, more often than not, the same vial is generally used for multiple patients. And lately there have even been reports of physicians diluting the Botox more than the recommended amount and there is even fake Botox around. So buyer-beware.

In a Botox treatment, a diluted form of the drug is injected into the patient's facial muscles. Over the next few days, the toxin paralyzes the muscles that control facial wrinkling. This stops newer wrinkles and also erases the existing ones. Botox does not numb the area nor does it change the texture but makes the skin more smooth.

There is a very low risk of becoming infected with botulism from Botox treatment, because the drug has been diluted out. Still, there are complications. Patients are advised to stay upright for a few hours to prevent the toxin from spreading and paralyzing other nearby muscles. If too much toxin is injected, or if it is injected into the wrong facial area, the individual may develop a droopy eyelid muscles (ptosis) that may last for several weeks. This particular complication has been frequently observed and does occur with many beginners.

Other common side effects may include headache, respiratory infection, flu syndrome, and nausea. Less frequent side effects include pain in the face, redness at the injection site and muscle weakness. These reactions are transient and not disabling but can last a few weeks to several months.

Botox generally involves multiple needle sticks, but with almost everyone having ago at it, it is only a matter of time before we will see a complication

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