A common question asked by clients new to anti wrinkle injections is, "What are anti wrinkle injections made from?"
Anti wrinkle injections are made from a toxin produced by a bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum. The toxin is called botulinum toxin aka botox. Clostridium botulinum comes in eight different strains A, B, C1, C2, D, E, F, and G—. It is only types A and B that are used in clinical preparations.
Botulinum toxin is used to treat many health conditions, including;
More and more uses of botulinum toxin are being found over time.
The bacteria Clostridium botulin was first discovered by a Belgian bacteriologist, Emile Pierre van Ermengem in 1895. This happened after he studied a fatal outbreak of botulism that was linked to a batch of tainted ham served at a funeral.
"Botulinum Toxin" was finally isolated in a crystalline form by Dr. Edward Schantz in 1946.
It wasn't until the 1970's that botulinum toxin was found to be useful to treat glabella lines. Scientists were experimenting on monkeys to treat strabismus (condition where the eyes are not properly aligned) with botulinum toxin. They noticed that it also reduced the wrinkles of the glabella ( also known as 11 lines) in monkeys.
Botulinum toxin works by preventing the release of acetylcholine which is a neurotransmitter responsible for muscle contraction. Without acetylcholine, the muscle contraction stops. Basically it stops signals from the nerves to the muscles. The result is a focal paralysis, the muscles relax and elongate and smooth the skin above. Botulinum toxin generally lasts in the range of 3 to 6 months depending on the individual.
By using the correct dosage the facial muscles can be partially paralysed, thus allowing for some facial movement, but not enough to demonstrate dynamic wrinkles. Most people wish to avoid having a completely frozen face where they cannot make any facial expression.
Apart from preventing the release of acetylcholine, botulinum toxin also prevents the release of pain and inflammatory mediators. This explains why botulinum toxin can be used successfully to treat migraine headaches.
Hopefully this article has helped to answer your question, "What are anti wrinkle injections made from?"
If you would like more information about anti wrinkle injections please contact us at;
Dr Rahma Targett
Unit 58/41-47 Melbourne St,
North Adelaide
SA 5006
Phone 0403 690 03 for bookings.
