The Array of Uses for BOTOX

    ALBANY, NY, May 21, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- BOTOX has been the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedure for many years and in 2009 there were about 2.5 million procedures done in the U.S., according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

BOTOX is derived from a protein made by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. The protein is toxic and causes botulism when ingested in large amounts. Botulism paralyzes all the body's muscles, including the heart muscle, causing death. However, BOTOX uses tiny amounts and the injections are done to specific muscles. The effect is then to temporarily paralyze the injected muscle for a desired cosmetic improvement.

Cosmetic Uses
The most common reason BOTOX is used cosmetically is to smooth out frown lines and horizontal forehead lines. It can also be used to treat crows' feet, the laugh lines at the outside edge of each eye, and fine lines around the lips.

The presence in a muscle of the BOTOX protein blocks messages from the brain telling it to contract. When the muscle stops contracting, the facial expressions it contributes to are stopped or partly stopped (frowning, scowling, raised eyebrows etc.). The skin is then able to smooth out and give you a younger, fresher look.

Medical Uses
Recently, BOTOX has been used to treat Essential Tremor. This is a condition where the hands or fingers shake, or the voice, shoulders, arms, or legs, depending on which muscles are affected, and how many. BOTOX injections stop the muscles from contracting, which stops or reduces the tremor.

This is not the first medical use of BOTOX. It can be used in almost any condition that involves involuntary muscle movement. In 2007, studies were done on use of BOTOX for IOAB (Idiopathic Over-Active Bladder - meaning urinary incontinence with no known cause). The injections give fast improvement in urinary frequency for a limited time.

- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a better-known condition where BOTOX has been very helpful. MS involves involuntary, jerky movements and spasticity (muscle stiffness). Repeat injections can be given every three months to maintain muscle relaxation.
- Cerebral Palsy is caused by a birth injury, premature birth, or an infection or alcohol addiction in the mother. The baby's brain is damaged and muscle movement impaired. BOTOX can reduce muscle spasms and the involuntary movements that are so tiring for the patient.
- Erb's Palsy is another condition caused at birth when the baby's shoulder is caught against the mother's pelvis and the shoulder nerves are torn. The arm on that side develops a muscle imbalance, with some muscles stronger than others. BOTOX can be used to temporarily shut down the strong muscles and allow the weaker ones to become stronger from greater use.

There are other conditions where BOTOX is part of disease treatment or management and no doubt more such BOTOX use will be developed in the future.

- "BOTOX, like any other medical treatment, must be used judiciously. Individuals seeking Botox are considered patients in every sense of the word, as referring to them as clients or some other term, in my mind dilutes the fact that these and others are real medical treatment and should be treated as such. I tell the physicians that I train to be attentive to all facets of treatment including appropriate dilution, placement, and patient comfort, as this has important impact on patient satisfaction," said Dr. Arthur Falk of Albany, New York. " I routinely see my patients a week after treatment as this enables me to evaluate and improve on my injection technique. These feedback sessions which may involve a little extra tweaking, are at no additional charge and dramatically enhance satisfaction with our services."

If you are in Albany, Troy, Schenectady or Saratoga Springs, New York, and would like to know more about BOTOX injections for cosmetic facial improvement, it would be best to choose an experienced cosmetic surgeon like Dr. Falk (visit www.aboutfacedoc.com).

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