Let’s take a quiz about Botox and see how well you do!
1. What is the most popular plastic surgery procedure in the world?
2. Under what name is Botulinum Toxin A sold?
3. How much Botulinum Toxin would be required to kill all people on earth?
4. Can you develop antibodies to Botox?
5. How long does it take for Botox to begin to work?
6. What is Botulism and how do you get it?
7. When is the right time to begin Botox injections?
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR THE ANSWERS
Answers:
1. Botox injections! Over 11 million have been performed since 2002!
2. Botox! The bacterium Clostridium botulinum produces a number of toxins, named after the 1st 7 letters of the alphabet. Botox is toxin type A.
3. It’s been estimated that the amount of Botox in a soft drink bottle would be enough to kill all human life on this planet!! This makes it the most potent poison known!!! Botox works by blocking the release of a substance called acetylcholine at the junction of a nerve and the muscle it innervates. If Botox affects the muscles used in breathing, respiratory failure may result ending in death. Fortunately Botox does not travel far from where it is injected and the amount use in an injection is minute, making it a very safe treatment. To kill a person, you would need to inject about 30 full vials into that person. The normal amount injected for cosmetic purposes is less than ½ of a vial. Incidentally, 30 full vials would cost $36,000!!
4. A person can develop antibodies to Botox that make it less effective. This is very rare and usually results from frequent injections of Botox, more frequent than the every 3 month schedule that is recommended.
5. It takes about 5-7 days for Botox to begin to work.
6. Botulism is an illness that usually comes from consuming food contaminated with the botulinum toxin. The amount of toxin can be substantial, increasing the risk of respiratory failure. Botulism cannot be contracted from receiving Botox injections.
7. Three factors determine the appropriate time to begin Botox injection:
i) Are there lines in the area of the face proposed for treatment that are due to muscle contraction?
ii) Do these lines matter to the patient?
iii) Does the patient think that it’s worth the ~$1200 per year required for the Botox injections?
If the answer to all 3 of the questions is “Yes,” inject away!
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Feel free to add a comment. Should you have any questions, please contact the office.
George Sanders, M.D.
