According to the 2020 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report, Botox remains the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedure in the U.S., with over 4 MILLION procedures done in 2020 alone! Undoubtedly, when it comes to alleviating early signs of aging, Botox is still the first thing that comes to mind.
True enough, this treatment is enticing because of its promised effects. Thus, asking questions about the principles of Botox is inevitable. And to help you feed your curiosity, we named ten things you should know before getting Botox injections:
- Botox actually came from bacteria.
Yes, bacteria are also used in the cosmetic industry!
Botox came from the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, a bacteria known to paralyze because it produces proteins with neurotoxic characteristics. But don’t worry! Clostridium botulinum would only be lethal if used in large quantities. It is totally safe for cosmetic use because the bacteria used is already diluted.
To put it simply, Botox seems to “freeze” your face because it impairs the nerves, disabling their functions. For example, when you are angry, you tend to frown, and your eyebrows become furrowed. This is because the brain sends a signal through your nerves, telling the muscles in your forehead to frown.
When It is injected into your forehead, the frown will not show on your face because the nerves under the forehead muscles are impaired. Thus, when used for a more extended period, the injection prevents the formation of wrinkles because it also prevents the leading cause of wrinkles–which is the constant muscle use— from happening.
- Botox is not only for cosmetic purposes.
Did you know that Botox was initially invented to treat blepharospasm or involuntary twitching? Because it can impair the nerves, It has also been known to treat other complications that involve the nerves. Examples of medical conditions it can treat are excessive sweating, chronic migraine, and overactive bladder.
- Some Botox injection areas are off-label.
The Botox injection was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002. However, the administration only released guidelines on a few areas where it can be injected, such as the crow’s feet, 11 lines, and frown lines.
For other injection sites such as the eyelids, bunny lines, mouth corners, and eyebrows, the FDA has not yet released their respective guidelines, tagging these sites as off-label.
Moreover, It is still safe to use in these areas. But make sure to consult an experienced professional spa with licensed practitioners to do the job. Practitioner expertise should always be a factor when doing such treatments.
- Botox is for all ages.
Who says Botox is only for older people? Although the most typical Botox clients are older individuals who want their wrinkles gone, this injectable is also encouraged to prevent early signs of aging.
Actually, dermatologists do not have a specific age range to recommend Botox. They only advise that you take care of your skin while you are still young to delay the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
- The “Botox face” stereotype is not entirely true.
Some clients are scared to look like the expressionless “Botox face” stereotype. However, this is not precisely what happens in real life.
Even if you have Botox injected on some parts of your face, you will still be able to do different facial expressions. These expressions include crying, laughing, and smiling. The only catch is that you cannot do these expressions as freely as your Botox-free folks.
The serum injected in the area restricts your expressions, refraining you from doing big reactions.
If you are worried about being “frozen,” remember that Botox is temporary. You may experience the intense effects right after the procedure, but they will wear off over time.
- Botox will not remove wrinkles.
Botox targets nerves and not the skin. Thus, it may only fade the appearance of existing wrinkles but not completely remove them. The role of Botox is to smooth fine lines out and prevent new ones from forming.
It is also recommended to use masks and moisturizers, along with Botox shots, to prevent skin from drying out, contributing to wrinkles.
- Botox is only a brand name.
Botox is indeed the most famous compared with other botox brands, such as Dysport and Xeomin. The brands all came from the same bacterial strain but differed in performance and effect.
Dysport tends to reach farther points in the area. Thus, one shot can treat many wrinkles and fine lines.
On the other hand, Xeomin is also called the “naked molecule” because it does not contain extra proteins. Xeomin also works deeper, faster and decreases possible side effects.
Compared with the other two, Botox is comparatively the weaker one in terms of performance. Patients report seeing results only after a week with Botox. While for Dysport, results can be seen after two days. Clients injected with Xeomin report results after five days.
Make sure to ask your practitioner about which brand they will use on you.
- Your face will feel like it has duct tape.
Neurotoxins sever the nerves. So, your face might feel funny immediately after the procedure, which could take around 2 to 7 days. Clients say that their faces felt like they had duct tape because they cannot move them as much. But do not worry. It will gradually fade in the long run, and your face will feel normal again.
- It is not a one-time thing.
Just like other cosmetic treatments, This procedure also needs multiple sessions for you to see the effects entirely. Botox is also temporary, so once the serum wears off, you become at risk of forming wrinkles again.
Usually, clients come back every three months because only after multiple sessions will you see noticeable changes. So, make sure to dedicate time and budget to maximize its effects.
- Know the units.
A unit is a specific amount of serum that will be injected into your skin. If it is your first time doing Botox, you should ask your practitioner about it to know what to expect. Because more units also mean stronger effects.
You may also ask if they have plans on changing it in the future. Always remember to ask than regret later!
YOUR CHOICE
After knowing things you possibly didn’t know until you read this blog, you may either be thinking of pursuing this treatment or delay it. Nevertheless, you should congratulate yourself for avidly researching a treatment that you will undergo. At the end of the day, it is better safe than sorry!
But undeniably, Botox has terrific effects on wrinkles and fine lines. So, if you want to see the impact on your skin, try consulting the nearest medical aesthetics spa in your area.
