The Facts about Botulinum Toxin
Botox is now popular amongst Sydney’s fashionable crowd and now it has become an important part of a beauty routine for individuals in the city. Even so I never cease to be amazed when I hear the plethora of urban legends that have been heard about the simple procedure.
Here I have listed a selection of the mistakes which I encounter everyday at Star Cosmetic Medicine, where I practise as a doctor.
Misconception no. 1: Botox will immobilize my facial expressions!
There are sixty or so muscles underneath the skin of your face. They normally work in harmony, however with time expression lines can start to appear. Too large a dose of Botox have the effect of the face becoming too relaxed. Most doctors would use comparatively low quantities to are designed to make you appear refreshed, nevertheless you will remain just as expressive.
Therefore a carefully calculated injection of Botox in the proper place means an expressive face is maintained whilst any fine lines and wrinkles are smoothed.
Misconception no. 2: Botulinum is poisonous!
There is a little truth in this. Its scientific name is Botulinum Toxin Type A. In large doses it may loosen muscles that you do not want loosened and can even cause serious illness.
But to help you grasp the bigger picture - an ancient pharmacy saying is that ‘everything is a poison - it all depends on the dose’. All medicines in a large dosage may make you unwell. If you drink too much water you will die.
Misconception no. 3: It will sting!
In our practice Star Cosmetic Medicine the doctor will use hypodermic needles smaller than a human hair. Several people have likened the injections to a bug bite. It certainly is not as painful as something like a vaccination.
Misconception no. 4: I will lose feeling in my face!
This is totally incorrect. Botox works on the junction between the nerve and the facial muscle, and not on the nerves of sensation. Just the ability to relax your muscles is impacted by Botox injections.
Misconception no. 5. You can’t stop getting Botox or else the wrinkles become more noticable!
Again this is just false.
Botox is thought to be effective for up to 3 months. Later injections do last a few weeks more. Eventually as muscle strength returns to normal the lines will eventually re-emerge. However they will certainly be no worse than previously.
Be sure to go to our super resource for Sydney Botulinum injections products.
As A Matter Of Fact any lines will generally be softer than if you hadn’t had Botox treatment - even if you don’t continue the therapy. This is obviously because you have given your skin a ‘wrinkle holiday’ for a few months.
