Charice and Botox

International singing sensation Charice recently went for Thermage and  Botox treatment at the Belo Clinic in preparation for her entry into the hit television series, "Glee".

Controversies spring regarding her Botox injection at the young age of 18 .  Had it been a Caucasian actress of the same age going for the procedure, it wouldn't have been a big deal. But this was Charice, one of Oprah's most talented kid discoveries who may be 18 but looks like she just graduated from grade 6. Fans are worried that she may be too young for the treatment commonly performed on older people.

Celebrity doctor Vicky Belo advised the popstar to undergo the said procedure because of Charice's contant chewing of bubblegums.  The  singer's representative says she complains of jaw pains. Botox, according to Dr. Belo, blocks the electrical impulses that tell the facial muscles to contract. Now I wonder how the muscle relaxation would affect Charice's singing.

Let us get acquainted with this popular aesthetic treatment sought after by many celebrities. What does it do and why does it seem to be a standard procedure they have to go through?


What is Botox?

Botox is the registered name of Botulinum toxin, a protein complex derived from a bacteria called Clostridium difficile. There are about 7 strains of the toxin and 4 of them are known to cause disease in humans.  Food poisoning caused by these toxins, called Botulism can lead to paralysis and death.  But  how is a toxin beneficial to beauty?

Botox Background

Taking note of the paralysis side effect of botulinum toxins, scientists diluted it in amounts that could potentially be useful to the health and cosmetic industries. In 1960's , they used strain A in an experiment to treat crossed eyes. The US Food and Drug Administration approved it 20 years after, as a treatment for strabismus (crossed eyes) and for spasms of the eyelid muscles. Patients who were treated for these conditions were noted to have pleasantly reduced crow's feet  and wrinkles near the eyes, as a side effect.  To confirm the findings, clinical trials were done, which subsequently lead to the approval in 2002 of Botox A as a temporary relief for facial wrinkles. In 2004, it was also approved as treatment for excessive underarm sweating.

Who Benefits From Botox?

As you may have observed, patients who usually avail of Botox treatments are older people who show signs of aging (read: wrinkles). Lately, individuals suffering from excessive underarm sweating have been shown to benefit from the toxin as well. The uses of Botox are evolving as  newer clinical indications get approved by the FDA. In March of this year,  Botox got the nod as  a treatment for spasticity of the flexor muscles of the elbows, wrists and fingers in adults, usually in those afflicted with stroke, brain injury, or multiple sclerosis.

Other less known cosmetic uses are brow lifting,  facial slimming and contouring of the legs, which is why younger people likewise submit to the treatment. As for Charice, the indication is said to be Bruxism or clenching of the teeth caused by spasticity of the facial muscles.

Microneedles and disposable syringes are used to inject the toxin . Some degree of pain may be present but it's an outpatient procedure. They can resume normal activities after the trip to the Doctor's clinic.

How does it work?

Through our nerve endings, the brain tells the facial muscles to contract or relax. This creates facial expressions like laughter or frown. Repeated facial expressions cause wrinkles to be visible over time. Botox treatment works by attaching itself to nerve endings, preventing the release of the neurotransmitter  called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is responsible for triggering the muscles to contract. The signals telling the facial muscles to move are blocked, thereby making the muscles relax for a long period of time. Acetylcholine likewise carries signals from the sympathetic nervous system to the sweat glands to stimulate sweat production. Blockage of the acetylcholine achieves control of hyperhidrosis, at least for the underams.

Are the effects permanent?

No,  because the effects of Botox injection lasts for about 3 to 4 months.  So after around this time, you can smile and frown again like you used to do, or you may set an appointment with your doctor for another session.

Risks

Injecting poison into your face can indeed come with risks. Some of the reported side effects include drooping of the eyelids (if targeted near the eye area), headache with double vision,  twitching of the eyes, flu-like symptoms, stomach upset, and mild swelling and redness at the injection site. Serious side effects include the spread of the toxin to distant sites and breathing difficulties. All of these could be lessened, if not avoided, under the hands of an experienced and competent doctor.

Cost

A vial of Botox costs around $4oo.. It could be used for 4 to 5 treatments  a few hours after opening, after then, it has to be discarded. A session can cost from $200 to $500, depending on your location, the experience of the doctor handling the procedure, and the reputation of the clinic.