Most people love a good party. Some gatherings have cake, some have balloons, and many have alcoholic beverages and party games. And some have injections of a deadly toxin that could kill or cause serious complications if done improperly.
The latter refers to Botox parties, a gathering of people who seek to smooth out wrinkles by injecting botulism toxin in foreheads, around the eyes, and in other areas where age and time have manifested in wrinkles.
Close to 4 million Botox procedures were performed in 2013, the last year of available data. Injections of botulinum toxin (which goes commercially by the names Botox, Dysport and Xeomin) are considered the most frequently performed non-invasive plastic surgery procedure, according to a survey compiled by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). That’s more than twice its closest competitor for procedures, and the numbers are rising.
Most procedures are done in a doctor’s office or medical clinic under strict supervision. But some are performed at so-called “Botox parties,” where friends and family gather to enjoy these injections as a fun group experience. While it’s fun, it’s also potentially deadly if something goes wrong, and there’s not proper equipment or emergency services immediately available.
What is Botox?
Botox and other commercial brands use a form of botulism toxin type A, which is a neurotoxin that is produced by Clostridium Botulinum, a bacterium. There are seven other types that include B, C1, C2, D, E, F and G. All interfere with nerve transmissions that weaken muscles, giving the appearance of smoothing wrinkles. Type A injections last for about three months, and then need to be repeated.
Despite the National Institutes of Health labeling type A as “one of the most poisonous biological substances known,” it can be medically beneficial for a wide range of conditions. The toxin can be used to manage strabismus and focal dystonias, various spastic movement disorders, headaches, hypersalivation, hyperhidrosis, and other chronic conditions. In addition, it serves as a cosmetological aid, helping to smooth lines, wrinkles and creases in the chin, neck, chest and face.
Botulism is a spore-forming rod commonly found in soil, on plants, in water and in the intestinal tracts of animals. The botulism toxin is approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and new uses for the injections are being discovered all the time. Most people who receive injections generally tolerate it well, with few side effects if properly administered.
Those receiving treatments will notice the effects of Botox in about three days, but its full effect generally takes a week. The results will last anywhere from three to six months. After that, wrinkles begin to return, and another treatment is be required to sustain the effects. Each dose of Botox is typically the same, so there is no tolerance built up over time.
Problems with Botox
The issue with Botox parties is that occasionally, things can go wrong. If the injection is administered improperly, the receiver may experience a drooping eyelid, headache or bruising in the afflicted area. There also may be the onset of flu-like symptoms, facial pain, nausea, redness at the injection site, inability to blink, and general facial muscle weakness. Although it’s rare, a sore may develop in the white of the eye, a condition called corneal ulceration.
Those are the minor side effects. But serious emergency situations can occur if the botulism toxin begins to move from the area where it was injected. That can paralyze key muscles related to breathing and swallowing. The real danger is that the symptoms may occur hours or even weeks after the initial treatments.
The Botox migration is called aspiration pneumonia, and it has been described as a sensation akin to drowning outside of the water, as the Botox hits the esophagus, relaxing those muscles and creating difficulties in swallowing. There have been deaths from Botox-related problems, some even from injections administered in a clinical setting and several hundred reports of adverse effects.
The problem is that swallowing is related to other body issues, steering fluids and food away from your lungs. If that key muscle is paralyzed, the lungs can start to fill up. That’s disastrous and requires serious medical intervention.
In Europe, Botox and its commercial cousin, Myobloc, are marketed with a warning label that reminds users that the toxin can spread. It also warns that the muscle weakness injections cause might be long-lasting, particularly among those suffering from serious neurological problems, the elderly and children.
Those who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant and women who are currently breastfeeding are urged to discuss planned use of Botox with a physician before undergoing any treatment.
Ask the Right Questions
Ultimately, Botox is not a drug that’s right to be used in the frivolous setting of a party, particularly one where alcohol is served. A board-certified dermatologist, plastic surgeon or competent doctor are all far better choices for treatment.
However, if you’re determined to participate in a Botox party, it’s suggested that you ask the following questions of the person administering the injections. All of the questions are relevant to the standard of care you receive.
1) Have you been asked about your medical history? Any medicines you take and your current physical condition are important factors in avoiding potential complications. You also should discuss vitamins or other supplements you take.
2) Have alternative treatment suggestions been offered? Botox is not right for everyone. Evaluating your condition and suggesting potential alternatives is a vital part of deciding whether the procedure is something that’s right for you.
3) Do you understand the risks, and have you given consent? A good doctor will make sure you are fully knowledgeable before performing any procedure and will help you understand expected results.
4) Is the doctor qualified? Is this someone who has a local practice and has a thorough understanding of facial anatomy?
5) Is everything sterile? You must make sure you’re being treated in a setting that won’t aid infection or otherwise compromise the treatment.
6) Are you getting Botox, or something else? We’ve all read the horror stories of people who went for cosmetic surgery and were injected with all sorts of things. Botox Cosmetic is the only botulinum toxin that the FDA has approved for use in the United States.
7) Do you have any post-operative instructions? You’re not supposed to rub the injection area or engage in any strenuous activity for a while after receiving injections.
8) Are there arrangements for follow-up care? Your Botox treatment is temporary and should be monitored.
While Botox parties may not disappear anytime soon, it’s important to understand the risks and uncertainties before you participate in one. Again, you’re dealing with a poison that could cause death if something goes wrong. Make sure you understand the risks and have prepared properly for contingencies.
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