BOTOX® & Injections

Boulder BOTOX® Treatments

What is BOTOX®?

BOTOX® is one of the brand names for prescription botulinum toxins (PBT).

Other names include Xeomin, Myobloc, and Dysport.

• Botulinum toxin is naturally produced by a bacterium and is a neuroactive protein. PBT are carefully purified using biochemistry techniques and dosed for safety and therapeutic considerations.
• PBT’s are indicated for the treatment of many conditions. Best known is cosmetically for the treatment of wrinkles. It is also used for pathologically tight neck muscles called spasmodic torticollis as well as chronic migraine. Other, lesser known, treatments include twitchy eyelids, sweaty armpits, bladder spasms, as well as many other conditions.

How Does BOTOX® Work?

As a neuroactive protein, PBTs affect neurons within the nervous system. They are thought to work primarily by limiting the transmission of neurotransmitters to the terminal bulb of a neuron consequently interfering with the release of the neurotransmitter.

The most common neurotransmitter thought to be affected is acetylcholine. The blockade of acetylcholine has the significant effect of weakening muscles, which enables BOTOX® to decrease tension across skin that causes wrinkles. This effect also enables BOTOX® to be effective in treating tight neck muscles and minimize the spasms causing twitchy eyelids amongst other treatments.

BOTOX® For Migraines

Substance P and glutamate are neurotransmitters that are also inhibited by PBTs. These neurotransmitters are known to play instrumental roles in the excitatory transmission of nerve signaling in the central nervous system. Because migraine is an excitability condition within the CNS, the inhibition of this activity acts as an effective treatment for migraine.

If BOTOX® Is A Toxin, How Can It Be Used Safely?

It is true that Botulinum Toxin is a toxin occuring naturally as a product of a bacteria called clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin is a very concentrated and potent protein that affects the nervous system. The potency and relative specificity of its action enables it to be purified for medical purposes. It is through this purification process that safety is ensured.