Botulinum Toxin  (Botox)

Botulinum toxin type A injections are one of the most popular minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures performed to treat facial lines and wrinkles, called frown lines, on the forehead. Botulinum toxin is produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum, which is normally responsible for causing the illness known as botulism. However, in small doses, botulinum toxin type A can be used safely to reduce the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. The toxin is purified and the formulations are marketed by different companies with names such as onabotulinumtoxin A and abobotulinumtoxin A, etc. In this animation, they will all be referred to generically as botulinum toxin type A. With little downtime and almost immediate results, botulinum toxin type A can help you restore a smoother, more youthful appearance to the face.

 

Introduction

Botulinum toxin type A injections are one of the most popular minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures performed to treat facial lines and wrinkles, called frown lines, on the forehead. Botulinum toxin is produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum, which is normally responsible for causing the illness known as botulism. However, in small doses, botulinum toxin type A can be used safely to reduce the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. The toxin is purified and the formulations are marketed by different companies with names such as onabotulinumtoxin A and abobotulinumtoxin A, etc. In this animation, they will all be referred to generically as botulinum toxin type A. With little downtime and almost immediate results, botulinum toxin type A can help you restore a smoother, more youthful appearance to the face.

 

Anatomy

Two sets of muscles, called the corrugators and procerus muscles, lie beneath the skin between your eyebrows. These muscles allow you to squint and to furrow your brow when you frown. Contracting these muscles causes vertical frown lines, called glabellar lines, to appear.

 

How Frown Lines Form

In addition to factors such as age, sun exposure, and heredity, one of the primary causes of facial lines and wrinkles is repetitive muscle contraction. Nerves release neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that send signals, or impulses to other nerves, muscles, or the brain. Nerve impulses are what trigger muscles to contract, or move. Under normal conditions, a neurotransmitter known as acetylcholine is released by nerve cells. The acetylcholine is encased in fluid filled sacs that bind to the nerve cell membranes. Once bound, the acetylcholine is released and transmits a signal to the muscle, causing it to contract. When this happens in the muscles between your eyebrows, you squint and frown lines are formed. Repeated muscle contraction over many years may cause deep facial lines and wrinkles to form on the skin overlying the muscles.

 

How Botulinum Toxin Prevents Frown Lines

When botulinum toxin type A is injected into the treatment area, the toxin enters nerve cells and splits a special protein along the nerve membrane that is necessary for the sacs containing acetylcholine to bind properly. As a result, acetylcholine cannot bind to the nerve membrane and is not released. Without the release of acetylcholine, facial muscles have such a greatly reduced ability to contract that any motion they do have is not noticeable. Consequently the brow region has a smooth, less wrinkled appearance.