New Research Discovers Skin Boosting Effects of Botox

Botox, or onabutulinum toxin A is something most people will have heard of by now. Even if you've never tried the anti-wrinkle injection that is the No. 1 aesthetic treatment worldwide, you probably do know it by reputation. 

The latest research has shown that Botox treatments have some surprising side effects. 

Doctors in Canada show that Botox has skin pliability and elasticity effects

Botox can do so much for you

With just a series of very tiny injections, Botox is able to help you look younger, happier, more confident and improve the symmetry of your facial features. A good aesthetic doctor knows the best tricks and techniques to get the natural, harmonious look that most people want, and can make the experience a quick, pain-free and satisfying experience.

Although the idea of injecting a potentially deadly product into the face can be troubling for some, Botox has been discovered to have many beneficial uses besides anti-aging. Migraines, bruxism (teeth grinding), strabismus (eye twitches), urinary incontinence and hyperhydrosis (excessive sweating) are all conditions commonly treated with Botox.

Botox is already a good maintenance therapy, with younger patients in their 20s and 30s having regular Botox injections to help prevent and reduce the appearance of premature aging. But now, new research appears to show that Botox also has positive benefits for overall skin health, by reversing the collagen damaging effects of free radical and UV exposure.

Botox injections can relax the underlying muscles and improve quality of the skin

Dr. James P. Bonaparte (University of Ottawa), and Dr. David Ellis (University of Toronto) wanted to examine the effects of Botox injections on the skin. Their study involved 48 women with an average age of 55, who had never had any Botox injections before. They were treated at a private aesthetic clinic for glabella (forehead) and crow’s feet wrinkles.

After the injections, the women’s skin was studied for changes in pliability (stretchiness) and elasticity (how the skin bounced back) at baseline (day of injection), 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 2 months, 3 months and 4 months post treatment.

The results of the study, published online in the JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery Journal on May 21, 2015, found “an increase in skin pliability and elasticity with a corresponding reduction in the UV after treatment of facial wrinkling with onabotulinum toxin A.

The changes occurring in patients' skin appear to be the opposite of those associated with the aging process and UV radiation exposure and inflammation.”

The skin improvements effects lasts for approximately 4 months, which is the minimum length of time that Botox is effective in the body.

Dr, Catherine P. Winslow, of the Indiana University School of Medicine believes that this study shows "the importance of nonsurgical therapies for maintenance, in addition to opening new fields of potential treatment options for difficult scars and skin conditions.”

--- Cosmetic Medicine, MD

Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia.

To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page, visit Beverly Wilshire Medical Centre's website at http://www.beverlywilshiremedical.com or drop him an email at cosmedmd@gmail.com