Many people are curious about Botox Cosmetic but have questions and concerns about the treatment. They wonder whether they’re too young to be treated, whether their face will look “frozen” after receiving Botox, and whether Botox is safe. Although Botox and other muscle-relaxing injectables are the most common non-surgical cosmetic procedures performed in the United States, some people naturally wonder what’s true about Botox and what’s not. They’re hesitant to be treated without learning more.
Botox is primarily used to treat lines and wrinkles between the eyes, across the forehead, and around the eye area. Botox and other muscle-relaxing injectables are very effective in treating the signs of aging, providing fast, long-lasting relief from wrinkles and lines.
Botox works by using neurotoxins to block the muscle contractions that create wrinkles and frown lines. It can also help prevent the formation of new wrinkles by keeping muscles in the treated areas relaxed. But there are many misconceptions about Botox that simply aren’t true. Here are the eight most common myths about Botox.
Myth 1: Botox injections create an expressionless face.
Botox relaxes only those wrinkle-producing muscles targeted by the injection, such as lines around the eyes (crow’s feet), smile lines, and deep lines on the forehead. It does not affect untreated facial muscles, including those involved in creating facial expressions. The goal of Botox is to give the patient a relaxed face that appears well-rested but one that can still create facial expressions and convey emotions. Choosing highly-skilled skincare doctors in Grosse Pointe to administer Botox will ensure that treated areas will not receive too much or end up looking fake or frozen, and that high-quality results will be achieved.
Myth 2: Botox is painful.
Most people notice only mild discomfort during Botox treatment. The needles used to perform Botox treatment are very thin, and only a small amount of liquid is injected through them. The most commonly reported sensation is a slight pinch lasting only a few seconds. Trained skincare doctors in Grosse Pointe perform Botox injections with skill and accuracy in order to minimize pain and discomfort for patients. Botox injections are well-tolerated by most patients, and bruising is highly unlikely, permitting patients to return to work or other normal daily activity immediately following the procedure.
Myth 3: Botox only works on facial wrinkles and lines.
Botox can be used to treat more than fine lines and wrinkles. More experienced cosmetic treatment providers in Detroit can use Botox to lift the corners of the mouth, lift the eyebrows, slim the jawline, enhance the opening of the eyes, lift the tip of the nose, and even fix a smile that shows a little too much of the gum line.
Botox was originally approved for eye-related medical conditions. Doctors discovered its cosmetic uses while treating these conditions. In addition to its cosmetic applications, Botox can also be used to treat medical conditions such as excessive sweating in underarms, hands, and feet, strabismus, chronic migraine, eyelid muscle spasms, overactive bladder, cervical dystonia, and limb spasticity.
Myth 4: Botox is instantly effective.
Botox takes between 12 and 48 hours to start working. A noticeable improvement will be seen around seven to ten days following treatment. Maximum improvement will be noticeable approximately two weeks after treatment, with results lasting approximately four months, although some patients report results that last up to a year.
Myth 5: Only older people need Botox.
Botox treatment is recommended for patients who are bothered by age-related lines and wrinkles, and treatment recommendations are not limited to a certain age group. For patients in their 20s and 30s, Botox keeps skin looking fresh, vibrant, and youthful. Benefits for patients in their 40s and 50s include both the reduction of the effects of facial aging, as well as wrinkle prevention; a growing body of evidence shows that regularly-administered Botox treatments can actually prevent new wrinkles. Patients of any age can take advantage of this versatile treatment by consulting a cosmetic dermatology practice in Sterling Heights to discuss treatment options and goals.
Myth 6: Botox treatments are unsafe.
Botox is a purified protein derived from botulinum toxin. It has been used for over 20 years by doctors and other experts to treat multiple conditions. Although botulinum toxin can cause botulism when introduced to the central nervous system, Botox treatments stay at the injection site, do not affect the central nervous system, and have an established track record of safety. It would take more than 100 times the average cosmetic dose for Botox treatments to be toxic. Serious side effects of Botox are rare and can be addressed with proper medical attention. Safety is of the utmost importance to cosmetic dermatology practitioners in Sterling Heights, and choosing a qualified, trained, board-certified physician to administer cosmetic Botox is the best way to ensure that treatments remain safe and effective.
Myth 7: Botox builds up in the body after repeated treatments.
Some people may be concerned that Botox could build up in the body over time, leading to eventual toxicity, but this isn’t true. Botox treatments relax the treated muscle, softening muscle movement and leading to fewer fine lines and wrinkles. The effects of Botox generally lessen over a period of three to four months, and treated muscles return to their previous levels of movement and strength. Because Botox does not remain in the body after a period of time, follow-up treatments are necessary to maintain the desired results. Patients who receive Botox treatments can rest assured that the treatment will not result in built-up toxins in the body.
Myth 8: Wrinkles and lines will worsen if Botox is discontinued.
Although wrinkles and lines will return to their natural state if Botox is discontinued, Botox itself does not worsen wrinkles if treatments are stopped. The natural aging process will continue after Botox treatments are halted, causing additional lines and wrinkles due to normal facial muscle activity. To prevent the natural aging process from deepening lines and wrinkles, follow-up Botox treatments must be administered to reduce the appearance of age and to promote smoother, younger-looking skin.
Botox treatments in Detroit are a safe, effective way to achieve the look of youthful skin and a more relaxed, well-rested appearance. A cosmetic dermatology provider in Sterling Heights meets with patients before treatment to answer questions, provide safety data, and develop treatment needs and goals.