“I'd never get Botox!” If this is your typical reaction, you've probably fallen victim to the urban myths swirling around the celebrated youth-enhancer. Fears regarding Botox's safety, alleged bad results such as deformities or scarring, or misinformation about what Botox can or can't do have saturated the media for almost a decade. This safe and effective nonsurgical treatment has been unfairly stigmatized by the poorly informed in the public eye.

Skin Deep and Antonia Mariconda set the facts and the fiction straight with this interesting article for those of you wanting to learn more about Botox, which is a safe and effective treatment. Learn the facts, and feel free to ask us any more questions you may have.

FICTION: Botox is Plastic surgery.

FACT: Botox® is not surgery. Botox® cosmetic is an injectable purified protein. Very low doses are given in a simple five – thirty five minute non surgical procedure. A few tiny injections are given directly into the overactive muscles that cause those stubborn “number 11” frown lines between the brows to relax them (also known as the Glabellum), because the needle used is so ultrafine, the treatment is almost completely painless. Botox® is typically a “no down-time” procedure with no signs of treatment visible to others immediately after the treatment. Frown lines relax over the next 1-10 days, giving a more pleasant, less tired appearance. The treatment is fast effective, and a good solution for people with busy work/life schedules.

FICTION: Botox is unsafe.

FACT: Botox® has been FDA approved for therapeutic use in the US and Canada for 17 years. Initially used to treat spastic muscles, Botox® was first noticed to have cosmetically pleasing wrinkle reduction side effects by Dr. Jean Carruthers, a Canadian ophthalmologist. She and her husband, a dermatologist, began using Botox® for wrinkle reduction with popular results. The practice became widespread in the US when the same formulation received FDA approval in 2002 for the treatment of frown lines between the brows.

Sensationalised media horror stories are abundant; it would take the equivalent of 500 Botox® treatments at once to have the potency of the dangerous, illegal drug version. Word of advice; don't ever agree to a “Botox” treatment by an un-qualified practitioner or Doctor. The real Botox®- the safe, FDA approved medication- is only available through a qualified doctor's or practitioner .

FICTION: Botox will give you a frozen or scarred face.

FACT: Media images of scarred or deformed celebrities are usually the result of a plastic surgical procedure, such as a face lift, gone awry. Botox® is not surgery, and scarring or deformity would be nearly impossible. A properly administered Botox® treatment by a qualified professional should never leave you expressionless, either. In fact, Skin Deep, Botox® treatments are tailored to account for different treatment results or tastes, leading to a more natural result. Botox® only relaxes the muscles it is injected into. No “freezing” is involved. Botox® results last about three to four months. Most people choose to continue treatments to maintain their results of a smoother, relaxed, happier-appearing brow.

FICTION: Beauty and Skin creams can do the same thing as Botox.

FACT: No skin cream, no matter the claim, can relax the powerful, overactive frown muscles. Only Botox® can do that.

FICTION: Only the “rich and famous” get Botox.

FACT: Botox® is the most popular doctor/professional administered cosmetic procedure in the US and in the UK. Millions of people, maybe even your friend, neighbour, or boss, use Botox®. A Botox® treatment is quite affordable, usually starting around £299. Skin Deep offers a VIP membership program which lowers the cost further.

Interestingly, many of the patients treated at Skin Deep with Dr. La Malfa report some pleasantly unexpected side effects of Botox® treatments. These include relief from chronic headaches, and a happier overall attitude. Headaches triggered by muscle tension of the brow could obviously benefit by muscle relaxation at the site. But how could Botox® affect mood? No one knows for sure, but I have two theories. The intended result of Botox® is to change the physical appearance of the face from a “frowning” to a “relaxed” expression. This change is often perceived by both the patient and others as a change to a less angry, more pleasant attitude.

Other people may even treat you differently based on this subconscious perception. Additionally, fascinating recent studies have shown that motor movements associated with an emotion become ingrained with our emotional wiring. Triggering these movements triggers the emotion. I can't be sure, but it would make sense that relaxing the muscles ingrained with anger or frustration just may reduce our experience of these emotions as well. Further research is definitely warranted. In the meantime, the smooth, naturally relaxed appearance Botox® can give is reward enough.
 
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Written by Antonia Mariconda