Does Botox Dangerously Damage The Brain

Botulinum Toxin Type A can get into your brain.  Literally.  Analysts from Pisa, Italy have been injecting rodents with Botulinum Toxin Type A and watching what happens. The afore mentioned results were a big shock. 

 Botox stops the release of neurotransmitters from precise nerves.  When it is injected into the skin, it is taken up by the nerves, and over time stops the release of neurotransmitters, shutting down those nerves. 

 In dermatology, we use botox injections to close off the nerves that workmuscles in your face, like your forehead and brow.  With those nerves off, you can’t contract the muscles, so they stay flat. It is analogous to having wrinkles in your jeans.  While you are upright, the pants hang loosely and are smooth.  When you sit, your thighs and hips wrinkle the material, forming creases or wrinkles.  In the same way, when your facial muscles contract, they bunch up, creasing the skin and forming wrinkles. 

So what about the brain? 

Results from this Italian study refute the belief that botox stays locally in the skin.  They discovered that the botox injected into the rodenst followed the nerves back to the rat’s brain, shutting offnerves there. 

 What does this mean? 

 This is a important question.  The study was done in rats, not humans.  We do not know if it would do the same thing in people even if some botox did get into the brain, there is no evidence at all that it has any meaningful effect, bad.  For example, we all know that smoking kills brain cells and stops other cells from developing.  Does that suggest that smokers or ex-smokers have any pointed brain effects from their habit? 

 Botox is a fabulous and robust drug.  In treating wrinkles and fine lines, there are not many if any treatments short of intrusive surgery that can compare to the results that botox offers.  It is a drug and has side effects and has the potentiality to be misused and even abused.  Botox injections have been used safely in millions of people, but there are hazards.  It’s also dear and its effects are transient, so botox is not for everyone. 

 If you are not happy with presuming risks of botox, or your financial position doesn’t allow for it, then think about this viable alternative : employ a night cream that contains Retin-A or ROC.  No facial cream is more effective at reducing fine lines than tretinoin. 

 Use an cold pack to help stop swelling and bruising at the injection sites.  Topping your face before and after the procedure can be beneficial in this regard.  Your doctor should have icepacks available for you to use. 

 Plan to go back on a regular basis.  Most Botox injections last at least 3 months and some last so long as a year.  There will be a point however , at which the poison wears off and you will have to have the process repeated in order to maintain results.

 If you recently had botox and look in the mirror one morning and think that you’re 10 years younger, don’t worry, it’s not brain damage, it’s just your face on botox.