Current jargon asks this question — “Is that a thing?” — about certain trendy stuff. You could ask if Botox is a “thing” and the answer would be a monstrous YES! After all, ever since the FDA approved Botox for the treatment of facial wrinkles on the upper third of the face in 2002, the injectable has gone crazy! Every year it is far and away the most popular cosmetic procedure, surgical or non-surgical, in the world. It’s not even close. And Dr. Lee is a Top 150 Botox injector, meaning he is in the top 1% in the nation, so you know he has the experience and expertise with Botox you can trust. But that’s today’s Botox beating up on your crow’s feet and the 11s between your brows. Truth be told, Botox was a thing long before then, just not for wrinkles, and its other uses have continued to expand. Since Dr. Lee is such a big fan of Botox, in this blog let’s get into some things about this neuromodulator that you probably didn’t know.

The origins or Botox

Now that Botox is one of the world’s most well-known brand names, most people have some idea that the wrinkle killer has some relationship to the botulism toxin. Clostridium botulinum is the name of that very organism that leads to botulism. And the botulinum toxin type A is what Botox basically is (along with a few other proteins). Although this would freak out any clean freak, these bacteria can be found in their inactive form all through the natural environment, including in cultivated soil and in forest soil, and in the sediment of lakes, streams, coastal and untreated waters. Maybe that’s why your Mom told you never to eat dirt!

Medicinal uses

Botox is no stranger to the medical world; it has been used medicinally for decades. After it was found that the botulinum toxin type A, when injected in very small amounts, could make muscles temporarily stop contracting it was tried in various capacities. It is now used for the following therapeutic applications:

  • Blepharospasm (involuntary eyelid spasms)
  • Strabismus (crossed eyes)
  • Idiopathic rotational cervical dystonia (severe neck and shoulder muscle spasms)
  • Chronic migraine headaches
  • Hemifacial spasm
  • Severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
  • Post-stroke upper limb spasticity
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Overactive bladder

It is also used “off-label” for:

  • Achalasia (esophageal problems creating difficulty swallowing)
  • Sialorrhea (hypersalivation)
  • Allergic rhinitis
  • Hepatopancreatic dysfunction
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Oromandibular dystonia (forceful contraction of the jaw, face, and/or tongue)
  • Laryngeal dystonia (forceful contraction of the vocal cords)

More about Botox

More than six million Botox treatments are given each year, far and away the most of any cosmetic procedure of any type.

Although Botox is by far the most popular brand, the botulinum toxin is also sold commercially in the U.S. under these other brand names: Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau, and Myobloc (not for aesthetic use). Dr. Lee uses Botox and Dysport for our patients. Want to show your dynamic wrinkles who’s the boss? Call Dr. Lee at (610) 789-6701 and schedule a Botox or Dysport session.