Patients often complain about wrinkles and lines around the eyes and on the forehead. This is one of the most common complaints cosmetic physicians see as these lines are a symptom of aging experienced by many people. Botox is an injectable treatment that is extremely effective for reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles in the upper face. However, patients are often nervous about using it, due to a great deal of misinformation that exists. Here are some myths about Botox and the truth behind them.
- The use of Botox paralyzes the face.
This myth results from the fact that Botox is a type of neurotoxin. However, the tiny doses used for cosmetic purposes do not paralyze, they simply relax the muscles that cause the wrinkles. Botox only causes facial paralysis if too much is used or injected in the wrong locations. For these reasons, it is important to get your Botox injections from a qualified medical practitioner in a medical setting.
- Botox is unsafe.
Botox actually has a fantastic record for safety. It is used very often with excellent results, and little incidence of side effects. It has been in use for almost 20 years for the treatment of a variety of medical conditions, so it has been adequately studied and watched and has proven its safety
- Botox is toxic.
Botox is a purified form of a protein derived from botulinum toxin, which causes food poisoning. The material that is injected, however, is not a toxin by itself. It is very safe for injection into the body and will not poison you.
- Receiving Botox injections is painful.
In fact, when Botox is injected, a very fine gauge needle is used and only a very small amount of Botox is injected. You will barely feel anything during the injections, and it is nothing to fear.
If you are interested in Botox for yourself, contact Bay Area plastic surgeon Dr. Sheldon Kabaker at 800-914-4247 to set up a consultation.