Let’s learn some fun bits and bobs about Botox!

Collaborative Post | ​We have all heard about Botox. The magical injection that makes your wrinkles disappear. Not to mention, most of us probably know someone (or multiple) who has had it done. If we look at some of the numbers, they are astounding! Did you know about 7.3 million Botox procedures were performed around the globe in 2021? Not one, not two, but 7.3 million!
 
Bringing it slightly closer to home, it is safe to say that Britain has fallen in love with Botox. Because about 900,000 people in the UK get Botox injections each year.
 
What is even more interesting, is that Botox can be used to treat more than just ageing woes. It can treat medical conditions like strabismus, excessive sweating, and even Bruxism.
 
But let’s begin at the beginning. The Botox beginning of where it all began.

Photo by Sam Moghadam on Unsplash

The Botox archives

Botox, also known as botulinum toxin, or botulinum neurotoxin, did not start as the sophisticated and highly effective anti wrinkle injections we know today. In a nutshell, Botox is a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. And this bacteria can cause botulism (a severe flaccid paralytic disease in humans and other animals). You can typically contract this bacteria if you eat homemade canned or fermented food that has not been properly prepared or preserved. 
 
And that is how Botox’s journey started. Through good old-fashioned food poisoning. It is believed that a group of Belgian musicians fell seriously ill after eating contaminated ham in 1897. So ill that the ham was sent for analysis at the University of Ghent. At this time, Emile van Ermengem, a professor of bacteriology isolated the bacteria that causes botulism and named it bacillus botulinum. 
 
However, it was still far from the Botox we inject into our bodies today. In World War ll, scientists isolated and purified it, and the bacteria was further studied. The first medical use of Botox was in 1978 and fast forward to 1989, the FDA approved OnabotulinumtoxinA (the drug that would later become Botox) for therapeutic use. 
 
In 2002, the FDA approved Botox injections for aesthetic use to treat moderate to severe frown lines in adults, and in 2013, the FDA gave Botox the go-ahead to treat crow's feet too.

Botox benefits

Botox boasts multiple uses and numerous benefits. It can be used to treat muscle spasms, crossed eyes (strabismus), excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), jaw-clenching (Bruxism), an overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, and even to help reduce migraines.
 
Let’s not forget its most famous use, to enhance your natural beauty by softening fine lines and wrinkles. 
 
When it comes to the benefits, the most important one is that Botox is a non-invasive procedure. This means the risks (like scarring) are much lower than with surgical procedures. Due to its non-invasive nature, the downtime is also practically non-existent. Many people have Botox done and go back to work straight after their procedure. 
 
It also goes without saying, that Botox offers subtle results. Meaning it can improve the appearance of wrinkles without making you look frozen. ​

What does botulinum toxin do once injected?

In layman's terms, once injected, Botox weakens or paralyses muscles by blocking nerve impulses. This, in essence, stops the muscle from contracting, which causes your wrinkles to relax and soften. Botox injections also help prevent new wrinkles from forming! That is pretty exciting. 
 
Bear in mind, that Botox only works where it is injected. This means the toxin will not roam through your body. ​

Let’s talk aestheticians 

We cannot stress this enough. It is of the utmost importance to allow a highly qualified and highly recommended aesthetician to perform your procedure. If you are looking for the best Botox in London, then you need to find the best aesthetician in London.
 
You can search online or ask friends and family. But when going the online route, always look at the aesthetician's credentials and read through the clinic’s online reviews. It is also important to book a consultation before booking a Botox appointment. This gives the aesthetician the opportunity to discuss your medical history and aesthetics. You know, to ensure Botox is the best treatment for you and to ensure optimal results.

Here's what we have learned

Botox is an incredibly versatile injectable treatment. It has its place in both the medical and aesthetic fields. It has also put smiles on thousands of dials over the years. 
 
It is also considered to be the most sought-after aesthetic treatment in the UK, followed by fillers and skin boosters. This could possibly be attributed to its efficacy and overall safety (when administered by a skincare expert, of course). 



Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post.