Myths and Facts surrounding Botox Cosmetic

botox_forehead-lines-before-and-afters

Since everyone and their grandmother has their own theory on what Botox is and what Botox is not, I thought I’d highlight some of the most prevalent myths and facts about Botox Cosmetic – the Botox that is used to treat wrinkles (not to be confused with Botox that is used to treat serious medical conditions).

I think one of the most damaging problems for the cosmetic enhancement industry is not women who go in to see their cosmetic doctor to help them control how they age, but it’s those few celebrities (who will remain nameless) who are addicted to Botox and fillers and who are so afraid that their face might actually reveal their age that they distort what we know about an anti-aging solution like Botox Cosmetic.

I hope these 8 myths and facts about Botox Cosmetic will help you get some of the answers you are looking for:

Myth #1: Botox Cosmetic is not safe; it is too new; not enough is known about it.

Fact: Botox Cosmetic is approved by Health Canada and has an 18-year safety history with use in millions of people worldwide. It is a purified protein and a medical prescription product, and has been used therapeutically for over 17 years to treat a variety of medical conditions.

Myth #2: Botox Cosmetic will leave you with a frozen face, or will give you an unnatural “startled” look.

Fact: Botox Cosmetic is a technique-sensitive procedure. When administered by an experienced physician, the results are natural and consumers will not lose the ability to show expression. Botox Cosmetic is used to soften wrinkles and gives natural-looking results. After treatments, consumers generally look more relaxed and youthful.

Myth #3: There are creams that are better than Botox Cosmetic.

Fact: There is no clinical evidence supporting that topical creams work better than Botox Cosmetic. Topical creams work well on the surface of the skin. Botox Cosmetic works below the surface of the skin to relax the muscles that cause lines to form.  In fact, a study published by American Society for Dermatologic Surgery compared Botox Cosmetic to three over-the-counter creams – StriVectin-SD, Wrinkle Relax, and HydroDerm. Botox Cosmetic demonstrated superior efficacy and patient satisfaction (source: Beer, Kenneth R. “Comparative Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin Type A and Topical Creams for Treating Moderate-to-Severe Glabellar Rhytids”. Dermatol Surg: 2006; 32:184-192).

Also, in a recent consumer report that tested the efficacy of some anti-wrinkle creams on the market, even the best performers reduced the average depth of wrinkles by only less than 10 per cent, a magnitude of change that was barely visible to the naked eye.  To boot, the luxury-priced skin-care offerings didn’t work any better than the drugstore brands.

botox_frown-lines-between-eyebrows-glabellar-lines-before-and-after

Myth #4: Botox Cosmetic is a filler.

Fact: Unlike fillers, Botox Cosmetic doesn’t fill in facial lines. Botox Cosmetic relaxes the muscles underneath the skin that cause frown lines between the eyebrows, crow’s-feet, and forehead wrinkles. Botox Cosmetic treatments around the eyes and forehead can be used in combination with dermal facial fillers (such as Juvéderm), which are used around the nose and mouth for total facial rejuvenation.

Myth #5: Botox Cosmetic is too expensive.

Fact: The cost of Botox Cosmetic typically ranges between $400 to $600 per injection – the price of a daily latte. In fact, Botox Cosmetic is comparable in cost to other beauty regimens, such as hair treatments, make-up and spa visits over the course of four months.

Myth #6: Botox Cosmetic is only for vain people.

Fact: Botox Cosmetic is an individual choice. A recent survey shows that people want to look like a more-refreshed and less-tired version of themselves as they age.

Myth #7: Botox Cosmetic can be administered by anyone in an aesthetic setting.

Fact: Botox Cosmetic should be administered by experienced aesthetic-specialty physicians, including plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and general practitioners with a specialty in aesthetics in appropriate medical settings.

Myth #8: Botox Cosmetic is only for old people.

Fact: Botox Cosmetic can be a part of anyone’s self enhancement plan.

Unless you are 100 per cent certain that the friends and contacts you are consulting about cosmetic enhancement are professionals, you might be wasting your time. Get your facts straight from the get go by consulting a reputable source. You’ll find loads more information about Botox and on cosmetic rejuvenation on FACE Institute’s web site.

Treatment “befores and afters”

Since a picture is equivalent to a thousand words, I think it’s always pretty cool to look at before and after shots. I’ve included these ones so you can see how non-surgical cosmetic rejuvenation can help you control the way you age:

If you want to see how you would look before and after a possible treatment, don’t forget that you can easily upload your own photo on
Face Institute’s Visualizer tool.