Can Botox Really Affect Your Brain
Botox can get into your brain. Literally. Researchers from Pisa, Italy have been injecting rodents with Botulinum Toxin Type A and watching what occurs. The following results were a little surprising.
Botox blocks the release of neurotransmitters from precise nerve endings. When it is injected into the skin, it is taken up by the nerves, and over time blocks the release of neurotransmitters, shutting down those nerves.
In dermatology, we use botox treatments to shut off the nerves that workmuscles in your face, like your forehead and brow. With those nerves off, you cannot contract the muscles, so they stay flat. Very much like your having wrinkles shorts. While you are standing, the pants hang loosely and are smooth. When you sit, your thighs and hips wrinkle the material, forming creases or wrinkles. In the same way, when your facial muscles contract, they crunch up, creasing the skin and forming wrinkles.
So what about the brain?
Results from this Italian study refute the idea that botox stays regionally in the skin. They found that the botox injected into the rodenst followed the nerves back to the rodents brain, shutting downnerves there.
What does this mean?
This is a critical question. The study was focused in rats, not humans. We don’t know if it might do the same thing in humans even if some botox did get into the brain, there’s no evidence at all that it has any meaningful effect, good or bad. For example, we know that smoking kills brain cells and stops other cells from developing. Does that imply that smokers or ex-smokers have any suggestive brain effects from their habit?
Botox is a superb and robust drug. In treating wrinkles and fine lines, there are not many if any treatments short of aggressive surgery that will compare to the results that botox offers. It is , however , a drug and has side effects and has the potentiality to be misused and even abused. Botox has been used safely in millions of people, but there are risks. It’s also expensive and its effects are non permanent, so botox isn’t for everyone.
If you are not happy with assuming hazards of botox, or your financial position doesn’t allow for it, then consider this viable alternative : use a night cream that contains prescription Renova or retinol over the counter. No facial cream is better at reducing fine lines than tretinoin.
Use an ice pack to help forestall swelling and bruising at the injection sites. Topping your face before and after the process can be useful in this regard. Your doctor should have cold packs available for you to use.
Plan to go back on a consistent basis. Most Botox treatments last at least 3 months and some last so long as a year. There’ll be a point however , at which the poison wears off and you’ll have to have the procedure repeated to maintain results.
If you recently had botox and look in the mirror one morning and think that you are ten years younger, don’t worry, it’s not brain damage, it’s just your face on botox.
