How does Botox work?

This is a question frequently asked by patients. Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox) is a purified protein from the bacteria Clostridium Botulinum. Type A is one of 7 toxins produced by different subtypes of the bacteria. Its mechanism of action involves blockage of the overactive nerve endings that cause excessive muscle contractions or glandular activities. These overactive muscles contract at rest causing static wrinkles, or with volunteer muscle contraction causing dynamic wrinkles. Botox functions to block the nerve endings that cause these muscles to contract. Therefore, Botox can assist dynamic wrinkles of the frontalis (forehead), peri-ocular wrinkles (orbicularis oculi/crow's feet), and central brow wrinkles (corrugator and procerus muscles). Botox can be used in multiple other areas depending on experience of your physician. Botox also has FDA approval for axillary hyperhidrosis, or excess underarm sweating. It has proven efficacy in other areas to reduce excess sweating. Consult with your physician for further information. The therapeutic effect of Botox takes 7 to 10 days to become fully effective. The effect of Botox can last one to six months depending on the patient, indication, and number of uses. Please feel free to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gill to learn more about Botox, or learn more at http://www.drpaulgill.com/non-surgical_solutions.cfm