Botox and Its Alternatives

By Dixie Medford

 In history, botulism was known as the bacteria that killed 70 percent of its victims in 1910.  It has since become one of the fastest growing used potions in the cosmetic industry in the past two years.  On April 15, 2002 the FDA approved the use of this purified protein derived from the botulinum bacteria under the brand name BotoxR for wrinkle therapy.  Its use in the cosmetic world exclaimed to be nothing less than a miracle.  In a ten-minute treatment or less, frown lines and wrinkles disappear and can be gone for up to five months.  Botox eliminates the facial wrinkles that occur with overuse of facial muscles, called expression lines; also those from frowning, raising the eyebrows and squinting. 

Botox is a protein toxin produced by the bacteria clostridium botulinum. This group of bacteria and its spores are found everywhere.  The rod-shaped organisms grow best in low oxygen condition.  They are prevalent in soil and marine sediments worldwide and their spores are often found on the surface of fruits, vegetables and in seafood.  The bacteria itself is harmless.  The dangerous substance is the toxin produced by the bacteria when they grow.

There are seven types of botulum toxin designated by the letters A through G.  Types A, B, E and F cause illness in humans.  Once in the body, the toxin binds to nerve endings at the point where the nerves join muscles.  This prevents the nerves from signaling the muscles to contract.  The result is weakness and paralysis that descends from the cranium down, affecting, among other things, the muscles that regulate breathing.

Food poisoning, as we consider botulism to be, is typically type C.  It is produced in the absence of oxygen, low acidity levels, and temperatures between 40 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit.  These conditions can easily occur in improperly stored home-cooked or commercial foods as well as in canned foods that have not been prepared with proper canning procedures.

Meanwhile, purified botulum toxin has found its way into the medical arena.  The FDA approved it in 2002 as safe to be injected in tiny doses into the human body for cosmetic purposes.  Small doses of toxin are injected into the affected muscles.  As it happens with botulism, the toxin binds to the nerve endings and blocks the release of the chemical acetylcholine, which would otherwise signal the muscle to contract.  The toxin thus weakens the injected muscle but leaves the other muscles unaffected.

Injections usually have to be repeated, as the effects usually only last about four to six months.  However, it can sometimes last over a year.  Less than 1% of patients can eventually develop antibodies to the toxin.  This occurs in patients who receive higher doses at more frequent intervals.

The currently marketed therapeutic toxin used is type A, known as Botox, and is being used for a variety of other conditions.  Its main use, before it hit the cosmetic industry was for eye muscle problems such as crossed eyes.  It has been used for dystonias-neurologic diseases involving abnormal muscle posture and tension, such as neck and shoulder muscles.  Oral mandibular dystonis, which is clenching of the jaw muscle, can be relieved.   Dystonia is the involuntary rhythmic contractions of the muscles.  It has been beneficial in the use of speech therapy, writers’ and musicians’ cramps, urinary bladder muscle relaxation, esophageal sphincter muscle relaxation, headaches, and management of tics.  Botox has been successful in the treatment of excessive sweating in areas of the palms, feet and underarms.

There are two types of botulinum toxin available for injection.  Type A is Botox. A little less known is Myobloc, Type B, which was approved in December 2000 to treat cervical dystonia.  Myobloc is less known because nearly all studies that have shown the effectiveness of botulinum toxins have used Botox.   Myobloc has been used primarily for the treatment of abnormal head position and neck pain.  However, as the cosmetic trend continues it is finding its way to the forefront also as use in the cosmetic industry.  It is now being used for the treatment of frown lines, forehead furrows, squinting and lower face wrinkles.  Myobloc works in the same way as Botox by blocking the signal transmitted by the nerve to a muscle.  The nerve ending is separated from a muscle by a small gap called a “synapse: or neuromuscular junction.”  Myobloc prevents the signal from crossing the neuromuscular junction, thereby allowing the muscle to relax and helping to eliminate the wrinkles that lie above.  The effects last three to six months.

Myobloc is in a unique ready to use, pre-mixed solution and unlike Botox does not need to be frozen prior to use.  Because of its unique formulation consumers can be assured that they are receiving a fresh vial of toxin each time they receive a treatment.  It takes ten to fifteen minutes to inject and no anesthetic is necessary. 

Now that injectable toxins have been present for a few years and consumers have liked the “quick results with no down time”, the skin care industry has marked its territory and added to the arsenal of magic beauty with potions and lotions that claim to be “Better than Botox”.  One of the newest on the market is StriVectin–SD.  This product contains ogliopeptide.  This product was formulated for the treatment of stretch marks. When this patented peptide solution was applied to the crow’s feet area on one side of the face, it showed greater wrinkle reduction than the opposite side where a cream containing either retinal, vitamin C or a placebo was applied.  Consumers began reporting results that “crow’s feet were gone and they looked 10 years younger.”

Avotox is another advertised “Alternative to Botox” guaranteed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  Avotox is a topically applied product and the active ingredient is Acetyl Hexapeptide-3.  This is another peptide, which has been combined with collagen builders and natural avocado oil moisturizer; it has proven to relax the muscles of the face.  It does not immobilize muscles as with botulinum toxin injections, but is believed to extend the effects of them.  The effects of Avotox is temporary, but it can be applied daily and can be used anywhere on the skin of the face.  It is safe to use on any skin type or color of skin and results can be seen in as little as 18 days.  The price of Avotox is about $90.00.

Serotox is a product containing argireline, a natural peptide.  The manufacturer of Serotox has fortified their formula with hyaluronic acid, which is a tremendous humectant found naturally in the skin and is present in the best anti-aging products today.  This product works similar to Avotox by relaxing the muscles, but also helps to hydrate skin tissue.   Its cost is about $95.00

Celebrities including Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Catrall, and Halle Berry are advocates of a product known as Bioque Serum XL, which is another product that is being compared to the benefits of Botox.  This product is advertised as a substitute for Botox.  The results are the same- the elimination of facial lines and wrinkles caused by excessive use of the facial muscles by relaxing them.  The active ingredient in Bioque is argireline peptide.  This is the same ingredient found in other alternatives.  The percentage of argireline is higher, somewhere around 15%.  This could make a difference in the effectiveness of the product. The price of Bioque is about $85.00.

So far the best  product we have found to reduce the fine lines and wrinkles is  Revox by Revision.  Revox is stronger compared to other similar anti wrinkle serums and creams,  It has a total of 20% concentration  of the mineral-amino acid-peptide complex ingredient that smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.  At the moment Revox is the most intensive product available for the reduction of lines.  It helps to correct and prevent the deepening of unwanted lines and creases, Increase hydration and suppleness of the skin, prevents signs of aging caused by repetitive facial movements and it also enhances botox results.  Its cost is about $65.00.

Most of us wish to improve our appearance and as time marches on we will continue the battle of the lines and wrinkles.  We will find a continual stream of products and treatments becoming available to help us in our war of looking younger.  Peptides in products have proven their benefit in helping relax the lines.  They are of great benefit to extending the benefit of Botox injections.  They are safe, effective, and worth trying.  Check your ingredients and the percentage of active ingredients before you make a purchase. 

For more information email dixie@classicbeautyconcepts or find us on the web at www.classicbeautyconcepts.com.