During the last few years it has become very popular to use a long known nerve poison for medical or for cosmetic medical purposes. The botulin poison is produced by the botulin bacteria which is a septic bacterium often found in canned meat, for instance. The botulin poison is utterly poisonous and in small amounts lethal for humans. The poison blocks the impulses to muscles and paralyzes them. In man this leads to respiratory palsy.

It is this paralytic effect taken advantage of in the medical or medical cosmetic treatment.

Principle:

With very minor amounts and very low concentrations of the poison, Botox, injected in a particular muscle, the muscle gets paralyzed and can not contract. The folds of the muscle at contraction cause the visible folds and rhytides in the skin. As the muscle do not contract the mimic disappears as well and the look of the area treated is stiff and without expression. The poison slowly breaks down and with that the effect, mostly within 2 - 3 months. To get a lasting effect repeated injections are necessary.

Side effects:

The paralytic effect arise where the poison come in contact with muscular tissues. Due to gravity the injected Botox may migrate downwards and come to muscles not intended. This can lead to embarrassing diplopia if the muscles of the eyes are affected.

The small amounts used should not cause any general symptoms.

The maximal effect is gradually seen after 2 - 3 days. The treatment itself is invisible.