Botox Cosmetic has become a household name and is best known for its anti-aging effects on the face. While there are many other uses for Botox beyond fighting lines and wrinkles, that is the most common use worldwide. Millions of Botox cosmetic treatments are requested every year in the U.S., and it continues to grow in popularity. But you may wonder whether this treatment is right for you and if it will help you reach your aesthetic goals. Here is what you need to know about this infamous neuromodulator and the pros and cons of cosmetic treatment.
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Botox Basics and History
Botox has a longer history than many people realize. The main ingredient, botulinum toxin A, is derived from Clostridium botulinum, a neurotoxin first identified in the early 1900s. While there are many strains of this neurotoxin, serotypes A and B are the ones that are most used for clinical treatments.
There were many studies performed on the A strain of Clostridium botulinum in the first half-century of the 1900s. Labeled BTX-A, this neurotoxin was finally discovered to have medical possibilities in the 1960s. It was first studied to help with fixing crossed eyes, then progressed to treatment for eye spasms and other muscular contractions. These were all animal trials, but in 1978 the FDA approved human trials for BTX-A and in 1989 it was FDA approved for the treatment of crossed eyes and eye spasms. Allergan bought the formula and changed the name of BTX-A to Botox. Eventually, it was FDA approved in 2002 for cosmetic use.
The reason Botox works for both medical and cosmetic concerns is how it blocks nerve signals to the muscles. The neurotoxin interrupts nerve signals that tell the muscle to contract. This relaxes the muscles that cause crossed eyes or spasms. It also does the same for muscles that create frown and worry lines on the brow, which is why it is such a useful treatment.
Types of Botox Cosmetic Treatments
While there are many medical uses for Botox, the cosmetic uses are elective, and most people pay out-of-pocket for their treatments. Considering this is an elective procedure, it is important to understand how it is used and whether it is safe or effective. The list of cosmetic uses keeps expanding, but here are some of the popular Botox cosmetic treatments:
Frown and Worry Line Treatment
Relaxing the muscles that create the glabella lines (11s) between the brows was the first FDA-approved use of Botox. The worry lines across the forehead soon became another use for this neurotoxin.
Crow’s Feet
The smile lines around the outside of the eyes or “crow’s feet” can be smoothed with neuromodulator injections.
Liquid Brow Lift
Relaxing muscles that pull the eyebrows down can provide a non-surgical lift of the eyebrows for a more youthful brow.
Neck Band and Masseter Reduction
Botox can help reduce the vertical neck bands or cords that make the neck look older. It can also be used to shrink the masseter (jaw) muscles to slim (feminize) the face or jaw.
Chin Dimples
Dimples in the chin or an “orange peel” chin can be smoothed with neurotoxin injections. This can improve the chin appearance.
There are other cosmetic uses, from fixing a gummy smile or creating a fuller upper lip to lifting the nose tip or erasing bunny lines. Botox can also be used for hyperhidrosis (excess sweating) to calm the sweat glands.
Pros of Botox Cosmetic
Now that we looked at the many uses of Botox, let’s talk about why this treatment is so popular. From its safety to convenience, there are many “pros” that have made this cosmetic injection the most requested in the world. Pros include:
- Treatments only take about 15 minutes. You can have Botox treatment during your lunch break.
- No downtime or recovery is required.
- Quick and almost painless, just a small poke with the needle.
- Minimal side effects – the most common are small bruises or swelling from the injection.
- Results appear within a week and last up to four months – longer for some applications.
- Results are temporary. If you do not like the results, they will fade on their own.
- It is safe and FDA-approved, which is important to most users.
- It can be used as a preventive procedure. Many younger men and women are using it to prevent dynamic lines from forming.
- Botox can be safely used long-term for reducing signs of aging or for other cosmetic purposes.
When performed by an experienced injector, Botox is a safe and effective cosmetic treatment. You do not need a big-time commitment and there are very few complications. It can be used on all skin types, which is not true of all cosmetic treatments. The long list of benefits contributes to the popularity and success of Botox, the leading brand of neuromodulator cosmetic treatments.
Cons of Botox Injections
While there are many pros to using Botox Cosmetic, it may not be for everyone. There are drawbacks to every treatment, whether it is simply the price or other factors. If you are considering Botox, you deserve to look at all the pros and cons to make sure this is the right treatment for you. Some of the cons of Botox include:
- You can expect to pay a few hundred dollars or more for a Botox treatment. While this is worthwhile to many people and cost-effective compared to plastic surgery or other treatments, it can be more than some are willing to pay.
- It is not covered by health insurance for cosmetic treatments. These are elective procedures, and the cost is paid by the patient. Botox may be covered for some medical treatments, such as muscle spasms, migraines and incontinence.
- Multiple treatments per year are needed in most cases to maintain results. If you want to keep your frown lines gone, you can expect to need treatment at least twice a year.
- You can build a tolerance to Botox, which means after some time, it may not work as well. There are alternative treatments that can help those who build up a tolerance to Botox, including other neuromodulators.
- Some people have lost facial expressions due to the relaxation of the muscles. This can occur more frequently when performed by an inexperienced injector.
- Rare allergic reactions can occur in some people, but they can be treated to avoid serious complications.
- There are possible side effects beyond bruising and swelling. Some people may have headaches, nausea or other side effects. These should be reported to a doctor to determine if treatment is needed.
Anyone considering Botox injections should understand possible side effects and the limits of what it can accomplish. Its temporary effects can be both a pro and a con, depending on how you look at it. At Arcadia Wellness Center, we want all our patients to be well-educated on any treatment they receive from us so they can make informed decisions on what is right for them.
If you are interested in learning more about Botox cosmetic treatments, contact our team at Arcadia Wellness Center. We are located in Phoenix, AZ and we offer a wide selection of cosmetic treatments and injections, including Botox and other neuromodulators. Call us today to schedule your appointment for a cosmetic consultation or treatment.