Botox is a procedure that has been around for decades. It is done to reduce the appearance of fine lines and facial wrinkles.
The Food and Drug Administration approved its cosmetic use in 2002. Although it is a completely legal and recognized procedure, there are still many doubts surrounding botox treatments. And one of those is its safety and effectiveness.
If you’re curious about this cosmetic treatment, keep reading this article.
Is Botox Safe?
First things first. Is Botox safe?
Botox is completely safe and effective as long as it is administered by a licensed professional with appropriate training and ample experience. This procedure has been known to only cause danger if performed in the wrong way and given in large doses.
Botox works well even if each injection is given in much smaller doses than the myths portrayed it to be.
How Does the Botox Procedure Work?
Although Botox injections are known for cosmetic purposes, these injections are mainly used to block certain chemical signals from nerves that cause muscle contraction with the use of a purified substance called botulinum toxin (BoNT) which came from a certain bacteria called bacterium clostridium botulinum.
BoNT has seven neurotoxins (labeled types A, B, C [C1, C2], D, E, F, and G], which are structurally identical but antigenically distinct. Therapeutic and cosmetic cases require a certain type of this substance, whereas botulinum toxin type A is the one used in cosmetic treatments.
Other types are used to treat chronic pains such as chronic migraine, cervical dystonia, neurological conditions like cerebral palsy, lazy eye, excessive sweating, and overactive bladder.
When given the shot, the muscle around the injection site will not be able to contract for the time being. Which makes the wrinkles relax and soften when used in cosmetic procedures.
Does Botox Procedure Hurt?
Contrary to the popular myth, botox injections do not hurt. The needles used for botox injections are very fine.
Also, the number of injections depends on the area of treatment. For example, plastic surgery sessions require more shots than a normal treatment done to lighten forehead wrinkles.
Although some may experience minor discomfort or pinching sensation when administered with a shot, it immediately goes away.
Benefits of Botox Injections for Cosmetic Use
- Relaxes facial muscles that cause fine lines
- Smoothens wrinkles, forehead creases, crow’s feet
- Provides a facelift effect without surgery
- Safe and noninvasive
- Minimal Downtime
Side Effects of Botox Injections
Like other medications, using botulinum neurotoxin may come with some mild to moderate adverse effects. Here are the common side effects that you might experience after a treatment.
- Redness, bruising, and pain at the injected part
- Increased sweating in areas other than the underarms
- Muscle weakness
- Injection site headache
- Drowsiness
These symptoms may last for a few hours or a few days. If the side effects last longer or become severe, immediately consult a doctor.
Should you get Botox?
Botox is a generally safe and painless cosmetic procedure if done correctly.
Although there are some rare adverse events reported, commonly because of unregulated and repeated injections, botox has been proven to be effective through the years. It is still highly sought to this day for both therapeutic and cosmetic use.
Want to know more about botox treatment? Book your appointment now with an experienced dermatologist.
Do you have any questions or stories to tell about your botox experience? We’d love to hear from you! Leave us a comment below!
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