One of the assignments for my English 202C class was to create a product or process description. I chose to write a process description of BOTOX because of my interest in entering the cosmetic industry.
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Botox Injection Processes
Introduction
“(Maybe she’s born with it.) Maybe it’s Maybelline.” Maybe it’s Photoshop. But really it’s Botox.
There are a lot of ways to reduce the appearance on wrinkles but if you want to get rid of the wrinkles for real and not just cover them up, one effective solution to receive Botox injection. The active ingredient in these injections is Botulinum Toxin A, a powerful neurotoxin derived from Clostridium botulinum bacteria. The toxin interferes with the activation ofthe muscles by neurons at the Neuromuscular Junction (NMJ) causing temporary paralysis. The muscle is then relaxed revealing smooth, younger looking skin.
Having a fear of needles, I understand that injecting a needle of toxins into your face could sound scary. Understanding the physiological and medical processes that are involved in the procedure is important when deciding if BOTOX injections are right for you.
Process Overview
The process starts with gathering information. Perspective patients can do so by reading informational publications such as this or scheduling a consultation appointment with a qualified physician. The doctor and patient work together to devise a treatment plan together.
The injection itself is best described by its physiological effects. After the BOTOX drug is injected into the region, the drug is constructed to diffuse so that the botulinum toxin can reach the NMJ. Once in the NMJ, the toxin is taken up by vesicles, then it cleaves the SNARE complex, which ultimately causes muscle paralysis by preventing ACH release.
Post injection, the wrinkles will smooth out. A visible difference can be notice within the first week. The best results are seen within the first two months. The effects of the Botox last up to 6 months.
Before Injections
Doctors and patients work together to devise a personalized treatment plan. The treatment plans vary in dosage and frequency dependent on factors such as the patient’s health and the wrinkle they wish to diminish. For a first-time user, the typical dosage 20 units to treat horizontal forehead lines and 2 to 10 units to treat crow’s. After the first treatment, dosage can be adjusted to fit the patients need.
It is suggested that patients stop taking pills and supplements that thin the blood 2 weeks before the procedure in order prevent bruising at the site of injections.
Injection
The injection itself takes a few minutes. The direction of injection is dependent on the muscle type associated with the wrinkle being targeted. Refer to Figure 3 for specific information of different wrinkle types.
Diffusion:
A unit of BOTOX contains 150 kDa or core neurotoxin and 750- kDa of accessory protein. So each injection is approximately 20% toxin. The other 80% of the solution, consisting of Human albumin and sodium chloride, functions to direct the toxin to the neuromusclular junction of the target muscle. Other companies ranch in percents, but they all are intended to diffuse the toxin into the related are.
Background:
Normally when an action potential propitiates down a motor neuron, Acetocholine (ACH) is released from the vesicle in a process called vesicle fusion. Vesicle fusion relies on a group of proteins call the SNARE Complex, which pulls the vesicles to the membrane and opens it so ACH can be releases. When the ACH is released it interacts with Achetocholine receptors (ACHR) on motor cell to cause contraction.
Endocytosis:
Once the toxin diffused into the NMJ, it is taken up into synaptic vessicle of the neuron. The toxin is mostly in side the vesicle but it has a light chain that expends outside of the vesicle.
Cleaving Snare complex:
When the external component of the Botulinum Toxin come in contact with the SNARE complex, it cleaves it, preventing the ACH from being released into the terminal and ultimately preventing muscle contraction.
Post injections:
It typically takes 5-7 days until the effects can be seen. The effects of Botox can last anywhere from 3 to 6 months on a patient to patient basis. This is how long the biotoxin remains in the vesicle. Eventually, the effects of the biotoxin wear off. When we consider what is happening within the vesicle, it is easier to understand why the effects persist for the duration that they do.
There is a set amount of biotoxin in the synapse and when that is all used up the skin will return to normal, for the most part. There is a degree to which the effects of Botox is permanent. Constant use of the Botox could lead to permanent paralysis by permanently damaging the SNARE complex of a particular region.
Other side effects
Side effects are expected to show up between one hour and two weeks after the injection.
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Final Remarks
Hopefully this informational packet successful outlined the processes associated with receiving Botox injection. Understanding the processes involved can help perspective patients decide if this procedure is right for them.
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