Botox is a drug made from a neurotoxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. This toxin is the same one that causes a life-threatening type of food poisoning known as botulism. The botulinum bacteria is found in many natural environments, including soil, lakes, forests, and the intestinal tract of mammals and fish. So, where does Botox come from?Botox, or botulinum toxin type A, is a neurotoxin produced by a rod-shaped microorganism known as C.
Clostridium botulinum. This anaerobic bacterium is found in soil and water bodies around the world and only grows in oxygen-free environments. Botulinum toxin (BoNT), often abbreviated as Botox, is a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum and related species. It prevents the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from the axonal endings at the neuromuscular junction, thus causing flaccid paralysis. The toxin has been used commercially for medical and cosmetic purposes since the 1970s.
It was first used in ophthalmology and has since expanded to several areas of health, especially dermatology. Botox has an anti-wrinkle effect through its mechanism of action on the neuromuscular junction that causes relaxation of the facial muscles, thus reducing facial wrinkles. The drug was made popular among celebrities in the early 2000s by Allergan, who acquired Oculinum in 1991 and changed its name to Botox in 1992. However, at that time a standard treatment approach for aesthetic use had not been established. Ectropion can develop due to the local diffusion process of Botox when injected into the lower eyelids. In addition, patients undergoing Botox injections to treat crow's feet or rabbit lines (periorbital) may experience strabismus caused by involuntary injection of Botox and local diffusion of Botox. Contraindications for use are quite similar to those of botox, such as hypersensitivity to the components of fillers, bleeding disorders, a history of anaphylaxis because hyaluronic acid products are made from bacterial fermentation, and a history of allergies in gram-positive bacteria. Possible side effects of Botox include bleeding, swelling, erythema, and pain at injection sites. Although facial exercise has been suggested as an alternative to reduce wrinkles, there are still very limited clinical trials comparing its effects with those of Botox.
Therefore, this therapy has not been widely used compared to botox and dermal fillers.
