Botox® was FDA-approved for cosmetic use in 2002 and it has become the number one non-surgical cosmetic treatment in the country with 4.25 million people receiving Botox yearly in the US alone. Yet for some reason, there are persistent myths relating to Botox® injections.
1. YOUR FACE WILL FREEZE AND YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO SHOW EMOTION.
NOT TRUE.
If you're receiving your Botox® treatment from someone who knows what they are doing, you will not look frozen. If you get your glabellar region (between your eyebrows) done, there will be a diminished furrowing of the brow when you are trying to look grumpy, but who wants to look grumpy anyway? Also, Botox® only relaxes the muscles it's injected into, so you will still have complete range of motion over the rest of your facial muscles.
2. IT'S GOING TO HURT.
MOSTLY FALSE.
Obviously, there is the potential for some discomfort when needles are involved. But most people report it feels like a slight pinch. The needle used is the smallest one available, and the amount of product being injected is very small. When the injections are finished, the discomfort is over. There is little to no downtime. If you bruise easily, speak with your provider before your appointment to find out how to reduce the likelihood of bruising.
3. BOTOX® IS A TOXIN.
IT'S A LITTLE MORE COMPLICATED THAN THAT.
There is a story about how 4 grams of Botox® could take out the population of the whole world, this is false. While Botox® is created from botulinum, it is an isolated protein derivative, meaning it's only a small part of the botulinum bacteria, and the amount injected for Botox® cosmetic treatments is extremely small. As Botox® is derived from a natural protein, the body breaks it down and "digests" it, typically completely clearing it in 3-6 months. This means there is no need to be concerned that the Botox® will build up in your body over time.
4. IF YOU DON'T HAVE WRINKLES, THERE'S NO NEED FOR BOTOX®.
A MATTER OF PREFERENCE.
If you don't have wrinkles, of course no one is saying you need Botox®. But dynamic wrinkles are caused by movement - those are the ones we get around our eyes from smiling our whole lives, in between our eyebrows from constantly forgetting our sunglasses and squinting in the sun, and our forehead, from doing things like being surprised, angry, scared, etc. Botox® injections into these muscles will resist movement, thereby resulting in the wrinkles not forming as deeply. So it is becoming a preventative treatment, many people opt to have a small amount injected into common wrinkle areas before the wrinkles even form.
5. IF I DON'T LIKE HOW BOTOX® MADE MY FACE LOOK, TOO BAD. I'M STUCK WITH IT FOREVER.
NOT TRUE.
Botox® isn't forever. Botox® typically lasts between three and four months. Occasionally people will report the effects lasting up to six months. As stated previously, it's a naturally derived product, so your body will absorb and dispel it of it over time. If you make the mistake of purchasing a Groupon for a cheap Botox® treatment and you end up with uneven eyebrows, get to your hairdresser and get yourself some bangs. Then ride it out for a few months. When things are back to normal, make an appointment with a well-qualified healthcare professional, like at Medical Aesthetics and Wellness of CT!
1. YOUR FACE WILL FREEZE AND YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO SHOW EMOTION.
NOT TRUE.
If you're receiving your Botox® treatment from someone who knows what they are doing, you will not look frozen. If you get your glabellar region (between your eyebrows) done, there will be a diminished furrowing of the brow when you are trying to look grumpy, but who wants to look grumpy anyway? Also, Botox® only relaxes the muscles it's injected into, so you will still have complete range of motion over the rest of your facial muscles.
2. IT'S GOING TO HURT.
MOSTLY FALSE.
Obviously, there is the potential for some discomfort when needles are involved. But most people report it feels like a slight pinch. The needle used is the smallest one available, and the amount of product being injected is very small. When the injections are finished, the discomfort is over. There is little to no downtime. If you bruise easily, speak with your provider before your appointment to find out how to reduce the likelihood of bruising.
3. BOTOX® IS A TOXIN.
IT'S A LITTLE MORE COMPLICATED THAN THAT.
There is a story about how 4 grams of Botox® could take out the population of the whole world, this is false. While Botox® is created from botulinum, it is an isolated protein derivative, meaning it's only a small part of the botulinum bacteria, and the amount injected for Botox® cosmetic treatments is extremely small. As Botox® is derived from a natural protein, the body breaks it down and "digests" it, typically completely clearing it in 3-6 months. This means there is no need to be concerned that the Botox® will build up in your body over time.
4. IF YOU DON'T HAVE WRINKLES, THERE'S NO NEED FOR BOTOX®.
A MATTER OF PREFERENCE.
If you don't have wrinkles, of course no one is saying you need Botox®. But dynamic wrinkles are caused by movement - those are the ones we get around our eyes from smiling our whole lives, in between our eyebrows from constantly forgetting our sunglasses and squinting in the sun, and our forehead, from doing things like being surprised, angry, scared, etc. Botox® injections into these muscles will resist movement, thereby resulting in the wrinkles not forming as deeply. So it is becoming a preventative treatment, many people opt to have a small amount injected into common wrinkle areas before the wrinkles even form.
5. IF I DON'T LIKE HOW BOTOX® MADE MY FACE LOOK, TOO BAD. I'M STUCK WITH IT FOREVER.
NOT TRUE.
Botox® isn't forever. Botox® typically lasts between three and four months. Occasionally people will report the effects lasting up to six months. As stated previously, it's a naturally derived product, so your body will absorb and dispel it of it over time. If you make the mistake of purchasing a Groupon for a cheap Botox® treatment and you end up with uneven eyebrows, get to your hairdresser and get yourself some bangs. Then ride it out for a few months. When things are back to normal, make an appointment with a well-qualified healthcare professional, like at Medical Aesthetics and Wellness of CT!
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