The Science Behind Botox Injections
At Beyond Human, Botox injections in Parker and Aurora, CO, are a popular way to reduce fine wrinkles. Botox is a household name, but most people don’t understand the science behind Botox injections. If you’re interested in getting Botox, it is important to learn more about how this anti-wrinkle product actually works.
What Is Botox?
Botox is a type of injectable prescription medication. Its generic drug name is onabotulinumtoxinA, or botulinum toxin type A. It’s one of seven main types of botulinum toxin strains.
This neurotoxin protein strain is produced by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. Normally, toxins from Clostridium botulinum form in the soil or in foods that have been contaminated.
These toxins are incredibly potent. When people ingest them or have an open wound that comes into contact with them, it can result in botulism. Botulism is a serious and sometimes fatal nervous system disorder that results in health issues like blurry vision, fatigue, breathing problems, weakness, diarrhea, and vomiting.
However, in Botox, botulinum toxin type A is highly purified to meet the FDA’s medical control standards and does not cause botulism. To create Botox and ensure the utmost safety, the bacteria is grown in a lab and then sterilized, getting rid of various substances. What remains is the purified raw botulinum toxin type A complex.
An extremely small amount of this complex is used to make an incredibly large amount of Botox. The amount of botulinum toxin type A that one dose of Botox contains is very small and diluted, making it quite safe.
Is Botox Just Botulinum Toxin Type A?
While botulinum toxin type A is Botox Cosmetic’s main ingredient, Botox also contains inactive ingredients. These are called excipients. Examples of these are human albumin, sodium chloride, and saline.
These excipients act to ensure that Botox is stable. Additionally, they can affect qualities like release rate and absorption rate, act as lubricants, and affect the medication’s consistency. Preservatives are sometimes also included for increased safety, stabilization, and effectiveness.
It’s important to remember that certain excipients can result in allergic reactions. Because of this, during a Botox consultation, your injector will ask you about any allergies or sensitivities you may have.
How Do Wrinkles Form?
After repeating the same facial movements and expressions over and over, our muscles find it harder to relax back to an at-rest position. They also become stiff with age.
This causes dynamic wrinkles like crow’s feet, glabellar lines, and horizontal forehead wrinkles to form in the overlying skin.
How Does Botox Treat Wrinkles?
Botox is categorized as a neuromodulator. Neuromodulators are substances that affect the release of neurotransmitters. Nerve cells in the body send out neurotransmitters to trigger biological actions.
For example, neurotransmitters can tell muscle cells to contract, resulting in muscle movements. The facial muscles that control smiling or frowning contract due to neurotransmitter signaling.
When Botox is injected into the facial muscles, it blocks the release of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Because of this, it is classified as an acetylcholine release inhibitor.
Botox bonds to the surface of the nerve cell and then enters the cell. Once there, it disables the effects of a protein called SNAP-25. This protein is responsible for binding acetylcholine to the cell membrane so it can be sent out as a signal. Since the acetylcholine can’t bind to the cell membrane, the nerve cell becomes unable to send the neurotransmitter signal.
Because of this, the facial muscles are temporarily unable to contract with their normal frequency and intensity. The muscles relax, and the skin above them becomes smooth and wrinkle-free again. The chance of new wrinkles forming is also greatly reduced.
How Long Do Botox’s Results Last?
The amount of time that Botox’s results last varies based on the amount of Botox injected, the patient’s metabolism, their age, and the area where the injection was delivered. Generally, over the course of three to four months, Botox stops exerting its effects on the nerve cell.
This allows the nerve cell to regenerate SNAP-25, which can then bind acetylcholine to the membrane again. New nerve signals can once again be sent to the facial muscles. At this time, patients typically come in for a maintenance treatment to preserve their anti-wrinkle results.
Find Out More
Contact Beyond Human to learn more about the science behind Botox injections in Parker and Aurora, CO. Schedule your informative consultation with one of our cosmetic experts, who will be happy to help you achieve your anti-aging goals.