There’s a lot of information available about Botox online, in magazines and from people you might know.
Unfortunately, a lot of the information out there isn’t accurate or is downright misleading. If you’re thinking of getting Botox injections to ease the look of frown lines or crow’s feets, it’s important that you separate fact from fiction.
Fiction: Anyone Can Inject Botox
If someone invites you to a “Botox party,” it’s in your best interest to decline, unless that party is held at a medical practice and the person doing the injections is a trained medical professional. Not everyone has the training or ability to administer Botox injections.
There are more than 40 muscles in the face. For the injection to work properly and reduce the right wrinkles, the person giving the injection needs to know where the proper muscles and inject the Botox into that specific location.
If the person giving the injection isn’t experienced or trained, the risk of serious side effects increases. Don’t risk droopy eyes or uneven results. Only see a medical professional, in a medical setting, for your injections.
Fact: Botox Is a Brand Name
Botox is just a brand name, and it’s not the only injection of its kind out there. Other treatments that also contain the botulinum toxin include Dysport. There are some differences between brands, mainly in terms of price and how quickly you see results. If both options are available to you, you can weigh the pros and cons of each with your surgeon.
Fiction: Botox Works on Wrinkles You Can’t See Yet
When it comes to Botox injections, you can’t treat what you can’t see. A surgeon won’t be able to inject the substance into lines or wrinkles that don’t exist quite yet. If you’re concerned about aging, but don’t have evidence of wrinkles yet, the best thing you can do is start protecting your skin. Wear sunscreen everyday and a moisturizer regularly to keep skin soft.
Fact: Botox Is OK for Younger People
While doctors can’t treat lines that haven’t formed yet, they are able to inject Botox into wrinkles that are just beginning to form. Botox isn’t just for people in their 40s or older. It can be helpful to people in their 30s or younger who are beginning to see signs of aging, particularly dynamic lines such as frown lines.
Some people see value in getting what’s called preventative Botox, or Botox injections at a younger age, as it diminishes the need for injections or more invasive procedures later in life. If you’re still in your 30s and are concerned about lines and wrinkles, it’s a good idea to discuss your options with your doctor.
Fiction: Everyone Will Know
The only people who will be able to tell that you’ve received Botox injections are the people you’ve told about the treatment. The injections don’t give you a frozen face or leave you unable to move the muscles on your face. Botox blocks the nerve signals to a certain set of muscles, leaving the other ones free to move. You won’t leave the doctor’s office looking like a deer in headlights or as though you’ve been surprised. In fact, it typically takes a few days for the effects of the treatment to appear.
Fact: Botox Can Cause Side Effects
As with any treatment, there is some risk of side effects if you decide to receive Botox. You might feel a bit of discomfort during the injection and have bruising or redness afterwards. Your doctor can reduce discomfort from the injection by applying a topical numbing cream beforehand.
More serious side effects can occur if the toxin moves from the site of the injection to another area of the body. You can reduce the risk of the toxin migrating by not rubbing or touching the area. If the toxin does migrate, you might have trouble breathing or swallowing. Keep in mind that such side effects are very rare.
First approved for cosmetic use by the FDA in 2002, Botox has helped reduce the signs of wrinkles on many a person’s face. If you’re still weighing the pros and cons of Botox and want more information, Dr. Gregory Chernoff at Chernoff Cosmetic Surgery can help. He can give you insight on the injections and make recommendations based on the type of lines you might have.
His practice has locations in the Midwest and on the West Coast. For an appointment in the Midwest, call (317) 573-8899. If you’re on the West Coast, call (707) 544-3232 for the Santa Rosa office. You can call (800) 482-5499 toll free for Newport Beach and Beverly Hills.
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