Using botox to ward off wrinkles? Don't waste your money as a new research has found that contrary to popular belief, the toxin can spread in the body, potentially putting patients' health at risk.
Botox is made from a toxin produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum, one of the deadliest germs known to man, researchers informed.
The study said the toxin causes botulism, a severe and often fatal condition whereby the muscles become progressively paralysed, the heart and breathing muscles stop, causing death.
It was this ability to temporarily paralyse muscles which had been harnessed by the medical profession. Tiny amounts injected into the face blocked nerve signals and caused paralysis, thus relaxing the muscles and smoothing out wrinkles.
It had been widely assumed that Botox stayed in the muscle and was therefore safe but new research contradicted this fact.
In the study, conducted at the University of Calgary, in Canada, and published in the Journal of Biomechanics, it was found that the product was not as easy to control as previously thought.
The research was led by scientist Dr Walter Herzog, who received the American Society of Biomechanists' highest honour for his work last year.
''What we found was that the toxin passed easily into the surrounding muscles and weakened all the muscles in the area. The results support other research that has already shown that botulinum can pass through muscle fascia (the packing tissue around muscles),'' said Dr Walter Herzog, lead researcher.
''Our research showed that the toxin can also affect the working of the neighbouring muscles,'' the Daily Mail quoted him as saying.
''While I see the benefits of it as a therapeutic tool, its applications in humans are increasing and it is important we understand more about this product, which is a toxin,'' he added.
Botox is made from a toxin produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum, one of the deadliest germs known to man, researchers informed.
The study said the toxin causes botulism, a severe and often fatal condition whereby the muscles become progressively paralysed, the heart and breathing muscles stop, causing death.
It was this ability to temporarily paralyse muscles which had been harnessed by the medical profession. Tiny amounts injected into the face blocked nerve signals and caused paralysis, thus relaxing the muscles and smoothing out wrinkles.
It had been widely assumed that Botox stayed in the muscle and was therefore safe but new research contradicted this fact.
In the study, conducted at the University of Calgary, in Canada, and published in the Journal of Biomechanics, it was found that the product was not as easy to control as previously thought.
The research was led by scientist Dr Walter Herzog, who received the American Society of Biomechanists' highest honour for his work last year.
''What we found was that the toxin passed easily into the surrounding muscles and weakened all the muscles in the area. The results support other research that has already shown that botulinum can pass through muscle fascia (the packing tissue around muscles),'' said Dr Walter Herzog, lead researcher.
''Our research showed that the toxin can also affect the working of the neighbouring muscles,'' the Daily Mail quoted him as saying.
''While I see the benefits of it as a therapeutic tool, its applications in humans are increasing and it is important we understand more about this product, which is a toxin,'' he added.
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