Celebrities swear by them to smooth out their wrinkled foreheads and crow's feet. And thousands of working women have followed the trend, paying £200 or more for anti-ageing injections. But those having such treatments risk damaging their health, a leading neurophysiologist is warning. For many of the injections use a drug made from the most lethal poison known to man. Its long- term effects on the brain, nervous system and muscles are unknown, says Dr Peter Misra. The treatments - the bestknown has the brand name Botox - are a purified derivative of botulinum toxin A, made from a bacterium that is a deadly poison. The drug works by temporarily paralysing the muscles that create wrinkles. Liz Hurley, Lulu, Meg Ryan and Leslie Ash are among those who have had botulinum injections to get rid of facial lines. Even Sir Cliff Richard has had them, although he says they made his eyelids droop. Dr Misra admits that side effects of treatment are 'rare' but warns that growing use means more patients are at potential risk. 'Robust evidence for the action of botulinum toxin on sensory neurones is lacking,' the Londonbased consultant says in the British Medical Journal today. 'In this atmosphere of "Botox partiesî where champagnesipping socialites are injected with botulinum toxin, it is easy to forget that botulinum toxin is a potent neurotoxin, and that its very long-term effects are still unknown.' Botox is licensed in the UK for NHS use in a range of treatments --but not for removing wrinkles, Dr Misra says. It is given to children with cerebral palsy to relax their muscles to help them walk, and is also used to cure facial ticks, writer's cramp and even long-term hiccups. It did not receive a U.S. licence as an anti-ageing drug until this year, even though its use to remove wrinkles has increased 16-fold there in the past four years. Animal experiments have shown that botulinum toxin can affect the way nerves behave and may inhibit the release of vital brain chemicals. Although research has shown it can be effective in removing wrinkles for up to six months, a study published last year found that a quarter of patients seeking the treatment at a dermatology clinic had body dysmorphic disorder --an illness which makes people believe they are unattractive. For these patients, psychotherapy would have been the appropriate treatment, Dr Misra said. Leading plastic surgeon Professor-David Sharpe said long-term effects in facial use were unknown but Botox had been used to treat squints and stiff necks for 25 years without causing side-effects. 'Many women are asking for Botox simply because it's fashionable - they want it for the wrong reasons and don't actually need it,' he said. 'Even if they can benefit it will lead to an expensive commitment because it has to be topped up. 'It can also give disappointing results. The important thing is for potential patients to see a well-qualified plastic surgeon.' PR guru Lynne Franks is among those left horrified by the results of botulinum toxin treatment. The 54-year-old had injections in her forehead. But a week after her third treatment, her right eye began drooping. 'When I checked my reflection, I was terrified at my appearance,' she said. ' The doctor admitted she'd forgotten to warn me not to fly soon after a procedure. ' While I was terrified about long-term damage, I was more embarrassed by my stupidity. 'My drooping features remained with me for several horrible weeks, but the memory has never faded.' Source
