According to the statistics provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Botox injection is still the number one minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure that people go for (next to filler, chemical peel, laser hair removal and microdermabrasion).
Upon hearing the word “Botox,” it’s easy to immediately associate it with celebrities or rich housewives who spend their days obsessing over their wrinkles and skin imperfections. But as a Dermatology Nurse, I have observed that Botox isn’t just popular among the stars or women in their 40’s. Nowadays, more and more younger women/men and average individuals have been embracing this trend and have included Botox as part of their beauty routine.
If this popular treatment interests you, keep on reading to understand more about Botox.
Botox is actually a brand.
Yes, it’s a brand name carried by the company Allergan. There are other brands in the market too such as Dysport, Neuronox, Xeomin, etc. but they all use one thing – Botolinium Toxin A, a neurotoxin that prevents the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from axon endings at the neuromuscular junction, which causes flaccid paralysis (Wikipedia).
Botox won’t freeze all of your facial muscles.
The word “paralysis” from the paragraph above might scare you but don’t fret, getting Botox injections won’t result to a paralyzed face. Contrary to what critics say, if done effectively, you won’t lose your facial expressions or your personality from your face. You’ll just have a smoother and younger version of yourself that is not fake looking or plastic-y.
A consultation with a licensed Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon is very important.
Before saying yes to the needles, you need to go through a thorough consultation first. Not only will this help your doctor assess your health history and evaluate what your face needs, it’s also a good way to gauge your provider’s experience with Botox injections.
Be aware of the contraindications.
Certain medications are contraindicated to Botox injections such as specific types of antibiotics and blood thinners. If you are under any medication, make sure to discuss this with your doctor.
It’s not a one-time thing.
Botox injections should be done continuously as it only lasts three months. So don’t expect a wrinkle-free forehead forever because Botox only works temporarily.
Botox injection is a good solution for hyperhidrosis.
YES, if you have been struggling with excessive underarm sweating, then you should getting botox. Statistics show that this treatment results to an 82-87% decrease in sweating.
You don’t have to wait till your wrinkles become so visible to undergo Botox injections.
The number of young patients for Botox is increasing rapidly, mostly due to preventative measures. If you ask the Dermatologists, there’s really no specific age to start with a Botox injection.
We all have different opinions when it comes to cosmetic procedures but at the end of the day, we still get to decide on what’s best for ourselves.
