If you have lines or wrinkles on your face, you might be considering Botox®, one of the most popular cosmetic treatments available. At the same time, however, you may worry about its safety. In this post, we discuss what Botox® is and its excellent safety record.
What is Botox®?
Botox® is a proprietary name for an injectable muscle relaxant called botulism toxin. The chemical comes from the Clostridium botulinum bacteria, and it has the almost unique ability to prevent the activation of muscles in the face. Dr. Tenley Lawton carefully uses it to relax facial muscles so that lines, wrinkles and furrows on the surface appear reduced.
Botox® works by inhibiting acetylcholine, the chemical which transfers information along nerves to the brain. Once administered, the brain no longer sends signals to the small muscles that underlie the face, preventing them from tensing up and creating visible furrows. This results in the decreased appearance of dynamic wrinkles, leading to a youthful and smooth face.