7 Botox Myths: Separating Fact From Fiction
Myth 1: Botox injections can be painful
Botox needles are very fine and are used to inject extremely small amounts of liquid. As a result, most people experience only mild discomfort during treatment. Your practitioner can apply anesthetic cream or cold packs before performing the injections to minimize the discomfort.
Myth 2: Botox can be addictive
None of the ingredients in Botox are addictive, so you do not run the risk of becoming physically dependent on it. That being said, it’s possible to become dependent on the cosmetic benefits of using Botox, along with any other cosmetic treatment that offers clear and visible benefits.
Myth 3: Botox can be used to remove all facial lines and wrinkles
There are two types of lines and wrinkles – dynamic wrinkles are associated with particular muscle movements, while static lines are present even when no muscles are activated. Botox works by relaxing muscles, and hence can only help to reduce or eliminate the appearance of dynamic wrinkles.
Myth 4: Botox can freeze your facial muscles
When properly applied, Botox only affects muscles at the precise location of each injection, leaving you still able to display the full range of normal facial expressions. As long as you ensure Botox is administered by someone properly qualified and experienced in its use, you do not run the risk of losing the ability to express emotions.
Myth 5: Wrinkles can get worse after stopping Botox
Botox does not have any permanent effects. However, repeated applications at the same location can have the effect of lessening the need to re-apply Botox to relax the muscle. As a result, wrinkles cannot become worse after stopping Botox, but may, in fact, remain better than their initial state.
Myth 6: Botox is toxic to the body
While Botox is derived from botulinum toxin, which is itself extracted from the bacteria that causes botulism, Botox is not the same as botulism, and you cannot contract botulism from Botox. The use of Botox is extremely carefully regulated and controlled.
Its use was approved by the FDA only after extensive safety testing, and it now has a 20-year record with many millions of injections administered. Its use is considered very safe when administered by qualified medical personnel.
