Whether you’ve had Botox before, or only seen it mentioned in gossip magazines next to celebrity “Before and After Plastic Surgery” comparisons, there’s no denying that it’s become a household name. But no matter your experience with it, there are probably some lingering questions about exactly how Botox works. And that’s thanks to the big, frightening creature we call the internet.
While the world wide web offers so much information at the tap of a finger, not all that information is credible. And treatments like Botox circulate additional rumors due to misunderstandings about how they work.
If you’ve ever been interested in trying Botox, but held back out of safety concerns or other reservations, this post is for you. Below, we dispel some of the most pernicious Botox rumors and set the facts straight. Even if you’ve already done your research, we bet there will be at least one point below that you haven’t heard before.
Interested in learning whether Botox is appropriate for your aesthetic goals? Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Barton to learn more. He is specially trained in Botox and dermal filler techniques and offers predictable, natural-looking results. Call today!
Many would-be Botox patients are concerned about treatment because Botox is a toxin (more on that below). But understanding the way Botox works illustrates how the nature of the toxin actually yields predictable results.
Botox is injected into areas of the skin where muscles are causing forehead wrinkles. When these muscles contract, they cause the facial skin to wrinkle. Over time, this forms lines in the skin even when the muscles are at rest.
Botox blocks communication between the nerves responsible for muscle contractions and the muscles themselves. This interaction occurs at the neuromuscular junction. When nerves attempt to cause muscle contractions, they release a chemical called acetylcholine. Botox interferes to prevent acetylcholine from being released. Muscles remain at rest and lines aren’t able to form on the skin.
The injections are carefully placed so that you will see aesthetically ideal improvements, not a total loss of muscle contraction. Leaving the skin at rest actually helps heal damaged skin and reduces the formation of further fine lines and wrinkles.
Some patients are hesitant to try Botox because they’re concerned that their faces will change forever. This is not the case. Botox results are temporary – they will last between 3-4 months, with longevity depending on the area treated and the number of units injected. Those patients with more noticeable brow furrows and more active forehead muscles typically see shorter results, while those with less active foreheads notice results lasting longer.
If you aren’t happy with the results of your Botox treatment, simply wait a few months and you’ll notice that you gradually regain full muscle control. You can try Botox again in another area, or write it off as a treatment that wasn’t quite right for you.
Botox is made up of botulinum toxin. This chemical causes the disruption of acetylcholine release that we detailed above. When acetylcholine is not released by nerves, muscles in the area cannot relax. Technically, what Botox accomplishes is paralysis – but it’s highly controlled, predictable paralysis. This is why it is a toxin – because it stops muscle contraction in the affected area.
Your Botox provider has been trained in administration of this injection. There are some small risks involved, as with every treatment option, but not full-scale paralysis. Botox will be injected in your forehead or around your eyes, and only the muscles in those areas will be affected.
While you’ve no doubt heard some Botox horror stories and seen the regrettable results, those are the consequence of taking treatment too far. When you’re working with a Botox provider and interested in subtle improvements to your facial lines, treatment will yield much less dramatic changes. You and your provider control the number of units you receive, and the placement of injections. This is what dictates how limited your muscles contractions will be.
Botox can deliver an extremely wide range of results – from subtle to severe. You will still be able to emote normally – but the muscles responsible for fine lines and wrinkles just won’t have as big of a say in your facial expressions.
While it may seem female-centric, Botox definitely isn’t for women and women alone. Men age just the same way women do, and have the same concerns about lines developing on their foreheads and around their eyes. If you’re a man interested in Botox, know that you’re not alone – “Brotox” is continuing to rise in popularity and it likely will for years to come.
Botox offers renewed confidence and refreshed skin with just a 15-20 minute treatment and no downtime. If you’re interested in trying it for yourself, schedule a consultation to learn more from Dr. Barton.
