Top 10 Botox Myths

Myth: Botox is not safe and can even be dangerous.

Fact: Botox first received FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval to treat certain medical conditions in 1989. Approval for cosmetic uses of Botox came in 2002. Since then, millions of people have used Botox safely and effectively, it has undergone intensive testing to be where it is today. Botox is slang for Botulinum Toxin Type A, the word toxin is a bit scary to hear but the amount administered in a cosmetic procedure is minuscule and many other medications also do contain toxins. Botox, as with all prescription-only medicines, is safest in the hands of a qualified doctor and at manufacturer-recommended doses. Always find a doctor with the experience and qualifications to ensure your safety.

MYTH: “You should only get Botox when you have wrinkles”

FACT: If you can get ahead of the game, it may help you in the long run…. "Prevention is better than cure." Waiting until lines become etched into the skin means it's much more difficult to smooth their appearance again. Often by starting Botox preventatively, people and their muscles can actually learn to not make certain faces and expressions that contribute to worsening their lines. By stopping the face repeating these movements we see a reduction in the build-up of deep static lines and therefore fewer treatments are needed in later life.

MYTH: If you stop getting Botox, it will make your wrinkles worse

FACT: No, they'll just go back to the way they were before. Botox will prevent your wrinkles from worsening while you keep up with your treatments. If you decide to stop having Botox treatments, you will slowly lose the relaxing effect of Botox and will resume the normal development of wrinkles with movement. Botox will not make wrinkles worse. Botox results are not permanent, results last typically last three to five months. For those who get injected at regular intervals over time the results can sometimes last a little bit longer, since the muscles have been immobilized for a long period and can atrophy. Once Botox use is discontinued, they will slowly return to how they were initially, prior to treatment.

Myth: Botox is for Older Women

Fact: There is a common myth is that Botox is for older women. But this is far from true - Botox is regularly used as a preventative measure in women in their twenties and thirties, helping with premature ageing and wrinkle development. The average age of our female clientele is around 35!

MYTH: Botox is something only women get

FACT: They don't call it “Bro-tox” for nothing! We're seeing a lot of men who are having Botox treatments as early as in their 30s. Wrinkles can sometimes make men appear angry, not to mention older. Getting Botox can help soften up this look to just give a more approachable appearance, which can help men a great deal in business matters as well as in their personal lives.

Myth: People will know I have had Botox

Fact: As with all procedures the results can be as intense as you want them to be with the guidance from a qualified practitioner. In the right clinic with the right practitioner you will leave looking achieve a fresher, more youthful version of yourself.

Myth: Botox will give me a “frozen” or expressionless face.

Fact: Botox relaxes wrinkle-producing facial muscles at the point of injection. These injection points are around deep lines and wrinkles, such as crow’s feet, forehead furrows, and smile lines. Botox does not affect other muscles involved in overall facial expressions. You will still be able to display a wide range of expressions. Facial muscles are relaxed not completely stopped so the next time you squint for the sun or raise your eyebrows you will still be able to move but the movement will be significantly lessened.

This is another reason to do your research and find an experienced and qualified doctor. Botox should never make you look emotionless or completely frozen unless that is your aim! Our advice to patients would always be to achieve a refreshed, natural look which is not over-done.

Myth: Botox can get rid of all my facial lines and wrinkles.

Fact: Botox treats dynamic wrinkles. These are wrinkles that develop from movement. Botox improves the appearance of these wrinkles by relaxing the muscles. The other category of wrinkles is static wrinkles. Static wrinkles are the result of aging and sun exposure. These wrinkles aren’t related to movement and won’t respond to Botox treatment. Cosmetic fillers can smooth the appearance of static wrinkles.

Myth: Botox injections are painful.

Fact: Most people report only mild discomfort during a Botox injection. The needles are very fine (thin) and inject a tiny amount of liquid. This means you should only feel a slight pinch during an injection. The number of injections varies for each condition and person. Multiple pinches may be uncomfortable, but they only last for a few seconds. Most people tolerate Botox injections well.

Myth: Creams are Equally Effective

Fact: I’m afraid not...no cream can actually banish wrinkles the way Botox can. ‘Wrinkle cream’ only works on the skin's upper layers and cannot be absorbed in the deep layers and certainly not into the muscles that Botox treats. We do promote a good skin care routine to go alongside your procedures and offer ZO Skincare by Obagi which is very effective and requires us to medically prescribe for some products in the range. A combination of both a high-quality skincare regime and Botox injections can provide fantastic results.