How does Botox work?

Maryam and Jhodi produced a written report on how does Botox work?

Botox, a “miracle poison”, is commonly known to be used as a cosmetic treatment making it very popular and a billion-pound industry. Its toxin was initially identified as a cause for a fatal illness. However, ironically, later became useful for numerous medical treatments.

The toxin used in Botox is a neurotoxin called botulinum toxin. Neurotoxins are poisonous chemicals that can destroy the nervous system and cause paralysis if a certain amount is absorbed.

This specific toxin is secreted by bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. There are several different types of botulinum toxin, from A to G. Very small doses of the toxin must be used because it is extremely toxic. Scientists estimate that even just one gram of crystalline toxin could kill one million people. Botox inhibits the release of a vital neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, causing temporary muscle paralysis. It was initially identified as a villain, but it is recently known to be a saviour. It is used in numerous

medical procedures, including treatment for neurological disorders. This makes it an incredibly important drug as it played one of the most vital roles in the advancement of medicine.

Botox is also known to be used for numerous cosmetic procedures that help to change the appearance of a person. This is a highly controversial topic. One could argue that a person may want to change their appearance so that they feel accepted in society and confident in oneself.

Another argument could be that some members of society may think of the patient as being beneath them as they go through pain to simply look more attractive. Some people believe that there are greater problems of which could cause suffering and that voluntary suffering for what is believed to be a minor problem would be illogical. The procedure can sometimes go awry, leaving the patient with an undesirable appearance.