What is Botox (Neurotoxin)?
Botox is a popular brand of neurotoxin in Singapore used by medical professionals to improve wrinkles and treat certain muscular conditions.
Botox stands for Botulinum Toxin. Due to google copyright regulations, we have to use the shortform Botox in this article.
Botox or Neurotoxins are produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and many brands exist in the market such as Dysport and Xeomin.
How does Botox Neurotoxin work?
When Botox is injected, it blocks certain nerve signals that stimulate muscle contraction. This leads to relaxation of muscles which reduces the appearance of unwanted wrinkles.
The effect of Botox lasts 3–6 months.
Over time, the muscles will gradually regain movement causing wrinkles to re-appear.
Botox Neurotoxin risks
Botox injections are safe when performed by an experienced doctor.
Possible mild side effects and complications include:
- Pain, swelling or bruising at the site of injection
- Headache (Forehead Botox)
- Droopy eyelid or “spock” eyebrows (Forehead Botox)
- Crooked smile or drooling (Jaw Botox)
- Eye dryness (Crow’s Feet Botox)
Potential life-threatening complications are very rare and related to high doses of Botox injections used to treat medical conditions such as cerebral palsy and cervical dystonia.
These severe side effects may manifest as:
- Muscle weakness
- Vision problems
- Trouble speaking or swallowing
- Breathing difficulty
- Loss of bladder control
Studies have reported the toxic dose for severe side effects to be more than 6 Botox Units per Kg.
Taking an average adult female to weigh 50kg, this translates to 300 units of Botox. It is extremely unlikely that a patient will require close to 300 units of Botox for Aesthetic treatments.
Botox Death Case in Singapore - Update
In 2019, it was reported in the news that a lady passed away after receiving Botox in a medical clinic.
After investigation, it was reported on 11th October 2022 that in fact, she suffered a cardiac arrest after injection of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and not Botox.
Quoted in the news "EDTA is a common ingredient in skincare and cosmetic products. It acts as a chelator or binding agent that suppresses chemical activity."
Link to news article here
Summary
In the hands of an experienced doctor, Botox injections are safe and effective.
Severe side effects are extremely rare and are associated with high doses of Botox.
Quote of the day
“All things are poisons and there is nothing that is harmless, the dose alone decides that something is not poison” -Paracelsus (1493–1541).
