Why does Botox not lose ground and do patients want to change their face with these injections? There are many reasons for this, one of them is replication. Is the drug as safe as the advertisement says? Let's understand, because health must be taken care of. The article details the composition of Botox, as well as other important nuances of the procedure.
Components
What is included in the anti-aging drug? The composition of Botox is as follows:
- The active substance is botulinum toxin type A, which is also called hemagglutinin. In one bottle of the drug contains 200 or 100 units of action.
- Human serum albumin. Excipient. For 200 and 100 units, 1 or 0.5 milligrams is accounted for.
- Sodium chloride. In one bottle can be 1.8 or 0.9 milligrams.
"Botox" is available in the form of a lyophilisate, which is necessary for the preparation of a solution for intramuscular administration.
While there is no reason for panic, but you still do not know the nature of the main substance of the drug. The botulinum toxin is a strong poison. For this reason, many contraindications.
Pharmacological properties
But still it’s not enough to know the composition of Botox, you need to understand how it works. The molecule consists of two chains: light and heavy. They connect through a disulfide bond.
At the first stage of action, the toxin molecule binds to the presynaptic membrane. In the second stage, the toxin in bound form penetrates the cytoplasm of neurons by endocytosis. At the final stage, prolonged chemo-denervation can be observed.
Knowing the composition of Botox, we can assume its therapeutic effect, and it consists in the fact that the muscles are very relaxed after the injection. In the denervated muscle, reinnervation occurs. The latter means that the lateral processes of nerve endings are formed. The process begins twelve weeks after the injection. It perfectly restores muscle contraction.
Before you decide on an injection, you should understand that the effect is very unstable and after some time regression sets in. At this point, the primary neuromuscular transmission is activated.
Pharmacokinetics
With the composition of "Botox" we figured out, move on to the action of the medicine. It begins at the injection site. Studies have been conducted, which confirmed that reverse axonal transport of the active substance, as well as presynaptic capture from the injection site, is not very important. If the recommended doses are observed, the composition of Botox for the face will not bring harm. Now a safe drug is being used.
Antibodies to botulinum toxin are formed not so often - in 1-5%. If Botox is administered in large doses, rest periods are not observed, then more antibodies are produced. This leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of therapy.
Indications
Quite obscure medical terms, let's use clear words. The composition of Botox for the face has become safer, but this does not mean that it can be used thoughtlessly. There are indications for which injections are made, and now we will understand them:
- Deep wrinkles on the face. We are talking about nasolabial folds, frontal lobes. Sharp depressions near the nose are also subject to Botox corrections; they are also called rabbit wrinkles.
- Increased sweating. Oddly enough, but with increased sweating (hyperhidrosis) injections of botulinum toxin also help.
- Age-related changes in the face. These include a "leaked" oval, which is corrected through botox lifting. Often women choose beauty injections instead of surgical tightening and are satisfied.
These are the most common reasons for administering the drug, but few people know that Botox is also used for other problems:
- Hemifacial spasm.
- Blepharospasm.
- Paralytic strabismus or strabismus in another way.
- Cervical dystonia (spastic torticollis).
- Local muscle spasm in cerebral palsy. It is prescribed for children over two years of age.
- Focal spasticity of the hand and wrist of those who have suffered a stroke.
Contraindications
The composition of Botox, a facial preparation, is quite harmless, however, it can not always be used. What is meant:
- Breastfeeding and pregnancy.
- False paralysis or striated muscle fatigue syndrome.
- You can not conduct sessions during chemotherapy, while taking antibiotics. Beauticians do not conduct sessions and if the patient consumes vitamins with calcium.
- Exacerbation of herpes.
- Premenstrual, menstrual period. You can not do injections two days before the onset of menstruation and during bleeding. If a woman has menopause, then Botox injections will have to be abandoned.
- Hyperopia and myopia.
- With blood diseases or impaired circulation. This also includes hemophilia.
- Infectious diseases and inflammation at the injection site.
- Hernia on the lower and upper eyelids.
- Established hypersensitivity to the composition of the drug for the face.
- "Botox" can not be done with severe gravitational ptosis of facial tissues.
When to use with caution
What is part of Botox for the face, we already know and even noted who should not use injections. This does not mean that there are no options. There are some situations where the use of the drug is possible only after consulting a doctor. These are the following conditions:
- Severe atrophy or muscle weakness, which is supposed to work out with a solution.
- Clinical and subclinical signs that neuromuscular transmission is impaired. The category includes Lambert-Eaton syndrome, myasthenia gravis.
- Peripheral motor neuropathic diseases like motor neuropathy or amyotrophic sclerosis.
Dosage and route of administration
The first thing to say is that Botox is restored with only 0.9% sodium chloride solution, which is suitable for injection. The solution is injected very carefully into the bottle, while the latter must be gently rotated and in no case should be shaken. Strong shaking will lead to denaturation of the drug.
If the solution is ready for use, then it has no color, or yellowish. There are no foreign particles in the liquid, but light scattering can sometimes be observed. The finished product is stored no more than a day in the refrigerator. Storage temperature should be 2-8 degrees.
What is part of Botox for the face? When a milliliter of solvent is added to the solution, the concentration becomes 10 units of action per 0.1 milliliter. It is important to understand that the units of action in different botulinum toxin preparations are not interchangeable.
The solution is injected with an insulin syringe, which does not remove the needle. To make an injection without consequences, it is not enough to know only what is included in Botox for the face. It is important to find a specialist who will do everything right. The person to whom you entrust the person must have permission from the manufacturer, as well as take special courses. Sterile conditions are necessary for the introduction of the solution, and therefore the drug is not suitable for home use.
The doctor selects the dosage and injection site for each patient personally. The choice depends on where the muscle activity is located. Sometimes electromyography is used to establish the exact location.
When after the first procedure no improvement is observed, a month later, studies are carried out with which they confirm the effect of the toxin. Then the reasons for the lack of effectiveness are established. These may be incorrectly chosen points for injection, the wrong technique of administration or an insufficient dose. The specialist also evaluates how appropriate it is to use the drug further.
Frontal Injection
The composition of the drug "Botox" only, at first glance, it seems simple. In fact, the solution requires special storage conditions, as well as the introduction technique.
How is the injection done? First, the desired area is thoroughly cleaned. It doesn’t matter if there is makeup on the face or not. It is necessary to clean even the skin without makeup, as the face may be oily, in dust or dirt. An alcohol solution is used for processing.
The forehead is conditionally divided into several parts: central, lateral, lower and hair section. First of all, injections are introduced into the central zone. How does this happen? Beautician grabs the skin in the middle of the forehead. As a result, a small fold is obtained, the thickness of which does not exceed 5 millimeters. The needle is inserted all the way, so that it rests against the bone. As soon as the specialist felt that the needle reached the bone, he immediately released the skin and slowly injected the drug.
If blood is drawn after removing the needle from the puncture, it is stopped with a cotton swab dipped in Chlorhexidine. The next injection point is planned at the same level as the last. All actions are repeated. How many injections are needed depends on the neglect of the situation and the depth of the wrinkles.
The composition of the Botox preparation is extremely simple, but the solution also has side effects. For example, the formation of bumps at the injection site. This should not be scared, because the drug resolves on its own.
Where are the injections allowed?
We have already figured out what is part of Botox, it's time to talk about where injections are allowed. To begin with, it is important to understand the methods of administration. So, the injections can be subcutaneous and intramuscular. When is what used?
If the patient has excessive sweating, the drug is administered subcutaneously. The same way cosmetologists choose if the client has small facial wrinkles.
As for intramuscular injections, they are used to correct facial contours or complex nasolabial folds. Botulinum toxin is injected only into the muscle area of the lower face. The method is also suitable for the correction of deep wrinkles in the area of the superciliary arches or on the nose.
Electromyography is used to determine the points at which injections will be made. This is what a muscle responsiveness study is called. In order not to mix up places, they mark with a felt-tip pen.
If the patient wants a worthwhile result, then it is necessary to find out from the cosmetologist not only which composition is better for Botox, but which administration scheme he plans to adhere to. The latter depends on which zone needs to be adjusted:
- To correct longitudinal forehead wrinkles, injections are made into the central zone, as well as points that are located at a distance of one and a half centimeters from it.
- The folds on the bridge of the nose are removed by injections into the lateral sides. There are no clear recommendations on the distance in this case, the cosmetologist selects it individually
- Speaking of subcutaneous administration, we mean that a centimeter range is taken for injection.
What happens after injections?
The chemical composition of "Botox" causes the imposition of some restrictions after injection. However, this is characteristic of all drugs.
So, what should you limit yourself to:
- Within seven days after the injection, you need to refrain from alcohol, as it reduces the effect of Botox to zero.
- Physical activity at first is also contraindicated. This is due to the fact that the solution spreads. First of all, you should abandon bending forward and lifting weights.
- Direct sunlight and hot rooms should be avoided. If the street is windy, then you should also beware. The reason for this is wounds after punctures. They can become inflamed when dirt gets in.
- You will have to refuse makeup for a while, until the punctures heal.
- When washing, it is also better to refuse additional funds, preferring clean water.
The use of Botox in cosmetology has already become a common thing, and therefore some customers do not take the procedure seriously. Perhaps this is because they do not know what processes occur after the injection. Let's slightly open the veil.
Two days after administration, the drug begins to act. Because of this, the mask effect lasts for some time on the face. This happens because the muscles relax. Time will pass and the sensation will become familiar. You can’t get rid of it, because it is precisely due to relaxation that the lift takes place.
Among the side effects, edema is often observed. It subsides on the fifth day after the injection and does not require any additional measures.
Frequency of procedures
In the instructions for the use of Botox, it is written that correction with the drug can be carried out no earlier than two weeks after the first injection. Sometimes it is necessary, because not always a beautician can immediately work out the desired area.
As for full injections, they are made no more than once every six months. The drug has a cumulative effect. This means that after the next procedure, the toxin dissolves more slowly.
First of all, dynamic wrinkles are corrected. These include paws around the lips, wrinkles around the eyes and other signs of aging. Injections in these places are allowed to be done every 90 days. Static wrinkles such as nasolabial folds or sagging cheeks should be corrected no more than once every six months.
Effect duration
We already talked about the use of Botox and even found out in which cases one or the other is used. But there was no talk of how long the effect lasted.
Experts say that the drug stays on the face for three to six months. This is due to the condition of the skin and, of course, the age of the patient.
So, on the lips and in the corners of the mouth, the toxin will last from four months to a year. The superciliary arches and crow's feet are smoothed out for six months. The cheekbones and chewing glands will also retain their effect for six months. With nasolabial folds, everything is more complicated, the effect of the toxin can last two months, or maybe for six months.
Remember that the indicators are averaged, they are taken based on the results of the use of Botox in cosmetology. How will be in your case is unknown.
What is forbidden
To preserve the effect of injections, you must follow the rules. Some of them are described above, and we will talk about others now.
You can’t specifically strain the muscles that have been injected after the procedure. But this does not apply to time immediately after the procedure. At this moment, on the contrary, you need to grimace with might and main so that the drug is better distributed.
Do not take antibiotics, because they can deactivate the toxin. By the way, touching the skin and scratching it is also not worth it.
If you want to clean, you will have to do this only with mild preparations that do not contain abrasive particles. In the first week after injections, you can not do facial massage.
The consequences of beauty injections
The consequences of using Botox can be very sad if you look after your face incorrectly. Toxin can cause great harm to the body. What is meant by this:
- Offset of parts of the face. This can happen when chipping eyebrows. In this case, one eyebrow lowers and the other rises. This is due to the fact that the drug spread or the procedure was performed by an amateur.
- Quincke's edema. This is a very dangerous allergic reaction that can lead to death. Allergy in this case occurs directly on the toxin.
- Mask effect. After the muscles have not worked for a long time, they forget what to do. The face in this case seems lifeless, no emotions are reflected on it.
- Sagging muscles, weakening natural turgor.
On the Internet you can see photos of the consequences of using Botox, which are forever turned away from cosmetic procedures. But do not be so categorical about injections, because you just need to choose the right cosmetologist. If beauty injections cause strong concern, then you can use generics.
Analogs
Although the safety of Botox solution has long been proven, some patients are still afraid to use the drug. For this reason, often specialists use an analogue of the solution. It is believed that they are not so harmful. What are considered analogues:
- Dysport. It is a version of hemagglutinin. It is used not only for the prevention of wrinkles, but also for the treatment of muscle cramps. The medicine relaxes the muscles, in addition, it has a pronounced muscle relaxant effect.
- Relatox. The drug is made in Russia from type A toxin. It costs much less than the original, but is in no way inferior in effect.
- Xeomin. German-made mortar, an alternative to Dysport. Muscles do not get used to the drug, and the effect remains for a long time. Because of this, the price of the drug is two times higher than that of the original.
Botox Effect Care
Indications for use are wrinkles, but injections cannot be carried out at home. But what about those who cannot or do not want to visit a beautician? You can use masks with the effect of botulinum toxin for care. Naturally, there will not be the same action as from injections, but then there are no any side effects.
There is no drug in masks directly, since when it comes into contact with air, it stops working.
There are some of the most famous brands, the effectiveness of which women have seen:
- Botox Active Expert. The most famous of all care products. She is able to tighten the oval of the face, to correct deep wrinkles in the nasolabial folds. The mask contains sakura honey extract, hyaluronic acid, peanut butter and shea butter.
- Dizao Boto Mask 8. Can be called heavy artillery in the fight against wrinkles. The composition contains tocopherol, petroleum jelly, aloe extract, green tea extract and mineral compounds.
- “Evalar Cream Chi-Klim Botoeffect”, as well as “Chi-Klim Botox”. It contains a unique peptide argylerin complex. The ingredient can not only moisturize the skin, but also relax the muscles, which is very similar to the effect of Botox. The cream also contains hyaluronic acid, D-panthenol, lecithin, and rice extract.
- Nano Botox Face serum is enriched with synthetic peptides and silver ions. With the help of the drug, you can get rid of small facial wrinkles.
- Shary. Korean-made anti-aging elixir contains hyaluronic acid, argireline and a complex of plant extracts.
As a rule, such masks are not very cheap, and therefore you can try to make homemade ones. Of course, the outcome of using Botox and the mask will be different, but it's still better than nothing.
Folk recipes
A mask of potato starch helps against wrinkles. It does not dry the skin, does not contaminate the pores and consists only of natural ingredients.
So, you need a tablespoon of potato starch. It must be dissolved in one hundred milliliters of water. It is important to mix the starch thoroughly so that no lumps remain. Boil 50 milliliters of water and pour into the starch mixture. Cool the slurry and add the chicken yolk to it.
The mask should be applied to the neckline and face and kept for half an hour. You can make a mask every three days.
Difference of analogues from the original
First of all, generics differ in cost. The same “Dysport” costs twenty dollars per ampoule, while the “Botox” is twice as much.
Drug tolerance is also different. An allergic reaction does not occur to some due to the fact that the concentration of Botox is low there. The higher the concentration, the greater the likelihood of a conflict with antibodies.
If Botox holds the effect for up to a year and appears about a week after the injection, the effect of the analogues lasts only three months. But visible changes occur the very next day.
To do or not to do beauty injections, everyone decides for himself. We advise you to study all the information about injections and choose a real professional. If you entrust the face into the hands of an amateur, then health problems can not be avoided.
Are you afraid of the consequences? Start with cosmetic masks that have a similar effect. It is possible that things will not come to injections. It is not worth resorting to beauty injections if the condition of the skin does not require radical measures. But as an alternative to surgical intervention, Botox is still better. Do not treat injections as a trifle, study different opinions and, if possible, reviews. So you will enjoy the effect for a long time.