Ask Karen Botox
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By Karen McNew
WSLS10 Anchor
Published: August 20, 2008
Q: I recently came across an article that said there evidence that Botox injections can possibly cause nerve damage and even possible brain damage. What have you heard on this?
Michael Wingfield
A: I talked with a WSLS 10 Health expert who tells me there are no known reports of brain damage from Botox.
Carilion Clinic’s Dr. Mark Greenawald says, “There is the potential of nerve damage if the injection is given directly into the nerve, but this should not occur with proper technique.”
Any licensed physician can give Botox injections so you may want to check to see what kind of training they have before going through the procedure.
For people who don’t know, Botox is a toxin that is often used to paralyze facial muscles in order to make the skin looks smooth. The effects are not permanent. Eventually, after several months the muscle comes back to life if you will and with that comes the wrinkles that are formed through facial movements.
Dr. Greenawald says, “Botox has been approved for treating eye-muscle disorders since 1989, and was approved for cosmetic use in 2002. It is also used to combat excessive sweating and for migraine headaches.”
He says, the most common side effect is a headache and the most concerning side-effect is a temporary weakness paralysis) of the eyelid, causing drooping.
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