Although Botox treatments are amongst the most popular cosmetic treatments available, there are still many myths surrounding the procedure. Because Botox is a beauty treatment, it is often portrayed in a bad light. Pictures of celebrities showing grim and unnatural cosmetic surgery and over-the-top filler treatments can be wrongly mistaken for being the result of Botox. Botox simply does not produce those bad effects. On the contrary, it is a highly successful treatment that people return to again and again.
Here, some of the most common myths about Botox are identified and the true facts are given:
Myth One – Botox is harmful
Botox is incredibly safe. The preparation used by clinics is a medical pharmaceutical which is manufactured under very stringent conditions. It is licensed for use in the UK. Some people are aware that Botox is manufactured using a very powerful neurotoxin called the Botulinum toxin. It is derived from a bacterium called clostridium botulinum, which is harmful to humans by causing a form of food poisoning called Botulism. This information really should not scare anyone. The amount of toxin injected is so minute that it will not cause illness.
Myth Two – Botox is a surgical procedure
This simply isn’t true. Botox is classed as a non-invasive procedure. There are no incisions made, no anaesthetic needed and no recovery time is required after the treatment. The Botox is administered into facial muscles using incredibly short needles, as the injections are intramuscular. Most people liken the sensations from the procedure to pin pricks or having a hair tweezed.
Myth Three – Botox will stop you having facial expressions
People who have had Botox do not get frozen faces. Botox works by freezing individual and carefully targeted muscles in the face. Although these muscles do move when a person forms an expression, the other muscles are not affected. When administered carefully by an experienced practitioner there should be very little effect, if any, on the ability to produce natural facial expressions.
Myth Four – Botox is permanent
The effects of Botox only last an average of three to six months before needing further treatments. This is because the Botox blocks nerve impulses to the muscles, and over time these nerves recover by regenerating in the areas that have been blocked.
Myth Five – There are skin creams that contain Botox, able to achieve the same results
Sadly there are currently no face creams which contain Botox. Botox has to be administered by injection in order to be effective. There are face creams available that claim to mimic the effects of Botox, but nothing will work as well as a real Botox treatment.
Myth Six – Botox is expensive and inaccessible
Botox was initially a treatment that was only associated with the rich and famous, but this is no longer the case. Virtually all accredited aesthetic beauty clinics have fully trained practitioners who are able to offer Botox treatments at incredibly affordable prices. Botox treatments generally start at around £200 per session.
Myth Seven – Botox is an addictive procedure
There is absolutely nothing addictive about Botox, but most people find they are impressed with the effective nature of Botox for diminishing fine lines and wrinkles. They return for follow-up treatments once the effects start to fade. People generally find two to three sessions of treatment a year are sufficient.
Myth Eight – You have to be old to get Botox treatments
There is no age restriction to having Botox treatment, although ethically minors should not be receiving Botox unless there is parental consent. Even then, it’s unlikely that any clinic would advocate the need for Botox on someone with such young skin. As soon as fine lines start to appear, Botox can be an effective treatment. For most people, Botox isn’t required until they are in their thirties but some people choose to have treatments at an earlier age. There are no upper age limits as long as the person passes the necessary health checks, which are applicable to people of all ages.
Myth Nine – Botox is a highly painful treatment and has many side effects
Botox does not produce pain, although some people find that the injection can be slightly uncomfortable. Side effects are very rare and temporary if they do occur. The practitioner will always explain the very slight possibility of side effects before treatment, but for virtually all Botox treatments, side effects do not occur.
Myth Ten – Botox is only used as a cosmetic treatment
Botox has an ever growing range of applications as a medical treatment. For example, it can be used to treat muscle spasms, eye twitches, over-sweating (hyperhidrosis), and urge incontinence. It can also reduce the effects produced by a number of conditions and illnesses that involve the nervous system.