Beauty Skin Care

Should Botox Be Used by the Younger Generation?

There has been a significant increase in the number of young people in their 20’s using Botox and similar treatments as a way to prevent wrinkles from forming.

There is no conclusive evidence that Botox can ward off future wrinkles, and most plastic surgeons are of the opinion that using Botox before lines show up is not advisable.

The general consensus among plastic surgeons is that though aesthetic injection treatments are able to minimize lines, the wrinkles that develop and with time become permanent.

For the younger generation, the better option than using Botox is the practice of wearing sunscreen daily and practicing good skin health early on. It is better to take preventative measures and as with all aesthetic treatments, finding a balance is the key to staying attractive.

What is Botox?

Botox is a trade name for botulinum toxin A, a neurotoxic protein naturally produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and similar species. Botulinum toxin is also produced commercially for medical, cosmetic, and research use. An infection with the bacterium may cause a potentially fatal disease known as botulism.

Botulism is a type of food poisoning that occurs when one consumes something having a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum is among the most lethal toxins known. Botulinum toxin A and B are among the neurotoxins produced by Clostridium botulinum.

They are used in medicine to treat a range of conditions including bruxism, neuron syndrome, chronic migraine, upper motor focal hyperhidrosis, blepharospasm, strabismus, and in cosmetic treatments.

In the United States the FDA requires a warning stating that when locally administered the botulinum toxin may spread from the injection site to elsewhere in the body, causing symptoms similar to those of botulism.

The medical use of Botox

Botox is used in the treatment of cervical dystonia, blepharospasm, and strabismus. All of these are conditions that in some way involve spasms, i.e. involuntary muscle contractions. The spasms or contractions are reduced or eliminated within hours to a few days after the drug is injected into the affected muscle or muscle group.

The risk of it spreading to other areas of the body is greatly reduced through injecting the drug directly into a muscle or muscle group. The effects of the treatment last for three to eight months.

Use in cosmetic treatments

Botox and a similar product known as Dysport, are used for wrinkle prevention and data shows injection use by the young generation is on the increase. This trend may be as a result of the changing view of aging in our society with the rise of social media there is increasing pressure on people, especially women, to look young.

In cosmetic treatments at clinics like Botox Belfast, the drug is used to prevent the development of wrinkles by paralyzing facial muscles. It is assumed to work through blocking the nerve signals to the muscles or muscle groups, causing them to relax.

Using Botox regularly seems to make the muscle relaxing effects last longer, and the wrinkles that appear when the drug wears off are not as severe.

Thus patients don’t need to go for treatments often. This may be because the muscle undergoes wasting or atrophy after not being used for prolonged periods. This may be taken to mean that wrinkles wouldn’t form easily or as readily on a young person who has had treatments for years.

Side effects

These products may cause serious side effects at any age. These include headaches, problems in breathing swallowing, and speaking. Also symptoms of botulism, including muscle weakness.

When to use Botox