"Botox" from "Allergan": description of the drug, use and contraindications

The drug of the Allergan company - Botox - is actively used in cosmetology and clinical neurology. Currently, Botox is used to combat facial wrinkles. In this area, the drug has become so popular that now its name is considered a household name. With the light hands of consumers, most of their analogue products are also called Botox. But this is fundamentally wrong and among professional cosmetologists is considered a gross mistake. In the article, we will take a closer look at the tool of the Allergan company - Botox. Instructions for use, manufacturer, features and contraindications are presented below.

General information about the manufacturer

The American company Allergan, which is now known throughout the world, was created back in 1948. And initially, her activity was aimed at the development of antihistamines for the successful fight against various allergic reactions. Now the company's activities are very diverse:

1. Medications for the treatment and care of delicate skin around the eyes.
2. Means against urological problems.
3. Products to eliminate various skin defects.
4. Preparations for the effective fight against excess weight.
5. Various developments in the field of cosmetology and aesthetic medicine.

So, the producer country of Botox from Allergan is the United States of America. And first of all, it is used for aesthetic purposes. Although medically indicated, it can also be used if necessary.

In the Russian Federation, the product is approved by the Ministry of Health and is used to remove wrinkles (eyebrows and eyebrows), and it has also been shown to be effective in treating muscle cramps.

The composition of the funds

Having briefly reviewed the description of the drug from Allergan Botox, we will dwell on the composition of the drug. It contains only three main components:

1. Sodium chloride.
2. Type A botulinum toxin complex
3. Human plasma albumin.

"Botox" from "Allergan" (manufacturer - USA) is of several types, and they are all designed for different purposes. As for cosmetology, in this case Botox Cosmetic is used to eliminate wrinkles. The active substance of this drug is onbotulotoxin A. The peculiarity of this substance is that when the drug is injected into the muscle, it immediately loses its tone and relaxes. After a while, it completely stops contracting, even if a person consciously tries to strain it.

Mechanism of action

So, we examined the product of the Allergan company - Botox (manufacturing country, a brief description and composition are indicated above). Next, we consider in more detail how it works. The main result of the action of Botox is to smooth out, the disappearance of facial wrinkles, which appear due to frequent involuntary or arbitrary muscle contraction. Under the action of the drug, the muscles relax, cease to tighten the skin, so it is smoothed.

Wrinkle removal is what Botox from Allergan is used for in the first place. But without side effects, although the most harmless, can not do. In the case of combating facial wrinkles, a side effect is the inability to contract recently “broken” muscles. It would seem that ordinary emotions, but they appear a little unnatural, because it is difficult for a person to completely control his facial expressions. But since not all muscles are chipped in a row, some mobility persists. It all depends on the professionalism of the master who will carry out the procedure. The better the work done, the less side effects will be noticeable.

Now we’ll dwell in more detail on when Botox from Allergan begins to operate. Typically, the effect is observed approximately on the fourth day after injection. But for all, the result comes individually. Some may have the next day, while others, on the contrary, the necessary effect occurs in 10 days.

It should be noted that the action of Botox is inconsistent, it has a time limit. On average, the effect lasts for 3-4 months. Scientific studies have shown that it is during this time that all nerve endings deactivated by injection are replaced by new ones.

Indications for use

So, we examined a detailed description of the drug "Botox" from "Allergan", its composition and mechanism of action.

For cosmetology and therapeutic therapy, the indications of the drug are slightly different. Let's dwell on cosmetology. In this area, Botox is used when:

1. Due to the constant voluntary or involuntary muscle contraction, deep wrinkles appear on the face and neck. Most often, this remedy is used to combat wrinkles on the forehead, nose bridge, eyebrows, as well as to eliminate "crow's feet" near the eyes and "rabbit folds" on the nose.
2. After healing of deep wounds, unattractive scars remain - in this case, Botox simply copes well and eliminates traces of injuries.
3. There are various defects of large skeletal muscles. These include too bumpy and massive-looking muscles, as well as bulging muscle fibers.

Wrinkles that appear by age due to skin drying out are not indications for using Botox. In this case, for example, hyaluronic acid comes to the rescue. But to find out the true cause of wrinkles, you need to consult a professional doctor.

As for therapeutic practice, in this case, Botox is used in the following conditions:

1. Tonic blepharospasm - closing of the eyelid due to the fact that the circular muscle of the eye is constantly tensed.
2. Hemifacial spasm - various spasms of any facial muscles.
3. Cervical dystonia - spasms of the neck and shoulders that cause changes in posture, constantly raised shoulders, as well as tilting the head to the side.
4. Chronic migraine.
5. Adult urinary incontinence, which is caused by bladder detrusor hyperactivity syndrome.
6. Horse foot syndrome in babies with cerebral palsy.
7. Spasms of hands and wrists in people who have suffered a stroke.

But botulinum therapy in this case helps to cope only with the symptoms, and does not affect the cause of the pathology.

Contraindications to the use of the drug

We reviewed the “Botox” from “Allergan”: description, properties, composition and indications. But this is not a harmless tool that everyone can use. Therefore, we dwell in more detail on contraindications. Many of them are determined using the principle of excessive insurance, and their manifestation is refuted in practice by many cosmetologists. Nevertheless, there is a list of contraindications, which is confirmed in practice and which must be strictly observed.

Among them:

1. Allergic reactions to egg white, because Botox contains albumin.
2. Pregnancy.
3. Skin infections in places where the drug is planned to be administered.
4. Age up to 2 years. Earlier, Botox was banned for practice in pediatrics, but the drug has successfully proved itself in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy, so from the age of two it is approved for use.

In addition, you should discontinue use or reduce the number of those patients who take parallel aminoglycosides, macrolide antibiotics. These funds enhance the effect of Botox, and it is impossible to predict the consequences of such an increase.

Instructions for use

Next, we’ll take a closer look at the Botox instructions from Allergan: the procedure for injecting and the correct preparation for the procedure.

The first Botox injections can be carried out already at the first appointment with a cosmetologist. The main thing is that before botulinum therapy, it is necessary to find out precisely the causes of certain wrinkles. Then it is very important to develop a schedule for administering the drug and plan its consumption.

In addition, it is very important to choose a professional cosmetologist in order to avoid unpleasant consequences, such as Mephistopheles eyebrows, “dull face” and many other unpleasant phenomena that can not be eliminated in a short time. Botulinum therapy requires a highly qualified cosmetologist, since only he understands the anatomy of the face and determines exactly what muscles need to be injected.

In a professional salon, the patient must be told about all the possible consequences and give consent to use Botox.

As for the procedure itself, the patient must be seated in a chair. So it will be more convenient for the doctor to adjust and control the height of the head and the angle of its inclination.

The solution of Botox is diluted from the powder using ordinary saline. The amount of powder depends on the specific procedure, and in each case, the doctor individually selects the dosage.

After diluting the powder, the cosmetologist collects the resulting solution in a syringe. The skin of the patient's face is treated with a freezing gel or a special anesthetic is used for local anesthesia.

Then they begin to gradually introduce the drug into the muscles. The injection site must be slightly pressed down with your finger. In some muscles, you can enter the drug several times throughout the procedure. The amount of drug injected into the muscle depends on many factors: the strength of muscle contraction, the severity of wrinkles, the proportion of dilution of the drug.

After the procedure, the skin of the face should be wiped with a damp cotton swab. For several minutes, the cosmetologist monitors the condition of the client. If there are no allergic reactions, then the procedure can be completed. All this lasts from 10 to 40 minutes.

After injections, subtle red dots remain on the skin. They disappear, usually a day after the procedure. The first 3-4 for after botulinum therapy need to carefully monitor your condition, and at the first signs of side effects, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Side effects

Further, we will dwell on the side effects of botulinum therapy and talk about how to respond to them.

All side effects of Botox are divided into systemic and local. The latter include various disorders in the facial expressions and the condition of those muscles that were injected. These changes in the muscles can adversely affect the patient’s appearance and even some functions of the body.

Among these side effects can be identified:

1. Swelling of the face.
2. Raising the corners of the eyebrows.
3. Distortion of facial features. In addition, the symmetry is distorted when any emotions are manifested, for example, with a smile.
4. Blepharoptosis (drooping eyelids). Sometimes it is possible to completely close the eyes.
5. Inability to swallow (dysphagia).
6. Reducing the frequency of eye blinking. Sometimes this can cause the cornea to dry out. Then it is necessary to drip moisturizing drops into the eyes.
7. Paralysis of the treated muscles. Most often, this consequence happens due to the mistakes of the doctor, but a properly conducted procedure does not guarantee that there will be no paralysis.
8. Violation and deterioration of the muscles of the jaw. Because of this, problems with eating and talking can occur.

To date, there are specially designed drugs that can correct side effects after botulinum therapy. But the best professionalism of the doctor, the absence of errors during the procedure and the good knowledge of the anatomy of the facial muscles by the cosmetologist are still considered the best prevention of such unpleasant phenomena.

As for systemic side effects, then these include:

1. Headache after injection.
2. Flu-like and respiratory syndrome.
3. Allergic reaction.
4. Nausea.

Such symptoms are extremely rare, but still occur. Therefore, a professional cosmetologist must warn the patient about them in advance. Headache and allergies may occur during the procedure. Moreover, allergic reactions develop extremely quickly, and therefore the doctor should always have adrenaline on hand to prevent possible dangerous consequences.

The remaining side effects if nevertheless occur, then pass independently after three to four days. Despite everything described above, the drug Botox (Allergan) reviews of cosmetologists has mostly positive.

Price issue

The drug "Botox" can now be found on the open market. It can be purchased at cosmetic stores, pharmacies, online stores. The cost of one bottle is about 12 thousand rubles. But at the same time, the independent purchase of this tool cannot be called expedient. After all, an injection should still be done by a qualified doctor. And in special clinics and salons, purchases are made at wholesale prices and in large quantities.

In addition, one should take into account the fact that one patient is not injected with a whole bottle, but only part of the drug. Therefore, the cost of the procedure compared with the price of the whole bottle is quite low. For example, the removal of "crow's feet" in the corners of the eyes costs about 5-7 thousand rubles.

How to avoid fake?

Branches of the Allergan company are in different countries. On the Russian and European markets, Botox is produced in Ireland. In addition, production facilities are located in California and Turkey. But about the last country, it is not known for sure whether Botox is produced there, because the company is also manufacturing other pharmaceuticals.

It is categorically not recommended to buy a cheap Botox, because in this case the risk of getting a fake increases at times. Moreover, not all clinics agree to carry out the procedure for patients with their drug.

It is strictly forbidden to inject yourself on your own to save money. There is a high risk of damage to nerves and blood vessels, and even the drug may enter the bloodstream and develop botulism. Therefore, it is necessary to contact a specialized clinic, where a professional cosmetologist, having studied the anatomy of the face, knowing the instructions for the use of Botox and the specifics of administering the drug, will make injections.

Reviews

Despite the possible side effects, Botox (Allergan) reviews are mostly positive. The effect after the procedure is quite quick. An increasing number of women decide to remove unpleasant wrinkles, so the procedure is rapidly gaining popularity. The main thing is to comply with all the rules before, during and after botulinum toxin.