Botox is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments on the planet for handling lines and wrinkles on the face. By 2016 it has been estimated some 7,000,000 people have had Botox Injections, and medical experts widely agree that botox is not only safe, but highly effective. Still, when it comes to cosmetic treatments it’s always good to investigate the health information to understand whether the treatment is safe. As always it is advised to make use of professionals when looking into cosmetic treatment.
What exactly are Botox Injections?
So, what are Botox Injections? What is Botox? Understanding whether it’s safe or not requires a basic understanding of what Botox and Botox Injections actually are.
Botox is a protein and drug derived from the botulinum toxin of the rod-shaped bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which is most commonly found in soil and known for causing the botulism. This is where it derives its name from; Bo(tulinum) tox(in).
For some people this might raise some immediate worries. As a toxic, isn’t it dangerous? In the hands of trained, qualified professionals? No. We’ll discuss the potential dangers of Botox in the hands of unqualified professionals later. But Botox has a long and successful history of use not just in the cosmetic field, but also in the medical field. Before it came to fame in the cosmetics industry, Botox was primarily used to stop excessive muscle movements or spasms in the muscles, and treated conditions like;
- Lazy Eye
- Chronic migraines
- Neck Spasms
- Excessive sweating
In 1989 Botox was pushed forward as having potential cosmetic uses and ever since then it’s been incredibly popular. This is because of how it works. Botox is able to ‘paralyse’ the muscles it is injected into and does so by blocking the electric signals our brain is firing into them. This stops the muscles from constantly contracting, and so excessive movement is prevented.
So What is Botox Used for, and why?
When we move our facial muscles to, for example, squint or smile, a kind of ‘groove’ forms beneath the skin. This combines with our skins gradual loss of its elasticity to result in lines and wrinkles in the skin. Frown lines, wrinkles, forehead lines and crow’s feet are all the product of these kinds of movement. A lot of these movements are not ‘excessive’ either; most are simply the normal expressions we make on a daily basis.
Small botox injections can make a lot of difference here. By blocking the messages sent by our brains to the facial muscles, the excess movements of the face can be temporarily stopped, and the skin allowed to recover and relax. This can help not just improve the appearance of the wrinkles and lines, but in some cases remove them altogether.
Botox is most commonly (and approved for use) in the following areas;
- Dealing with lines in the Forehead
- Dealing with Frown Lines
- Dealing with Crows Feet
So is it safe? What about side effects?
Despite being a neurotoxin, Botox is widely regarded as a perfectly safe cosmetic treatment and remains incredibly popular. It was widely regarded as the gold standard for cosmetic treatment. The doses of Botox used are tiny, and when handled by a skilled professional, can be injected with no threat to one’s health. This of course, relies on using a trained professional.
But as with all drugs and medical procedures, Botox can of course have side effects. Your doctor or practitioner can further inform you about these and how to handle them. The most common side effects associated with Botox injections include;
- Pain at the injection site
- Swelling and or bruising near the injection site
- Dryness of the eyes or excessive tearing
These side effects are, it should be noted, temporary. They are unlikely to last more than a few days. Bruising can easily be disguised via makeup. These side effects are not to be worried about.
Side effects one should worry about include drooping eyelids, asymmetry and drooling. These are unintentional and signs of poor treatment. This leads us to another very important point. The importance of seeing a professional.
The importance of using a professional
Without a professional you are not guaranteed any of the protections afforded by one.
It must be remembered that Botox is a medical procedure – though not as intense as surgery or such, it remains work that requires professionalism, practice and experience. Trained professionals;
- Understand the substances and materials they are working with, can inform you of any risks, potential side effects
- Have extensive, hands-on training to fully understand their work
- Will not provide you service if they believe it will harm you
- Will work to tool service to suit your needs
- Minimises the chances of ‘botched’ services, which can be very costly to deal with in the long term
Non-professionals often offer cheaper services – but;
- Do not fully understand the substances and materials they are working with, are rarely liable for issues
- Lack training
- Maximises chances of a ‘botched’ service
For the sake of your own long term health, it is always better to make use of a trained professional.
The Dangers of non-approved botulinum toxin and ‘DIY’ injections
Unlicensed or unapproved forms of Botox have frequently appeared online, often at incredibly cheap prices. Alongside these, whole communities online have sprung up trying to offer ‘alternative’ access to Botox treatment outside of professional channels.
These kinds of products should never be used. The contents of unlicensed material cannot be known to have been tested, and could be contaminated. They are entirely unregulated.
Internet bought Botox can often create unsightly appearance, such as lumps or inflamation. Worse, it can potentially give you botulism poisoning.
Even if one acquires legitimate botox, the potential for danger isn’t lost. Botox Injections, despite their seemingly simple process, must always be performed by a trained professional to ensure success. An injection in the wrong place can result in severe and sometimes long term health problems.