Botox 101

Botox 101

Botulinum toxin type A or Botox as we all know it, has become a huge thing in today’s culture. However, people still have questions and doubts about the treatment. We often hear people say things like “Once you stop using Botox, your wrinkles will become worse;” and well ,that is wrong. Others say “Botox must cost a fortune,” and that is wrong again. The most common one though is “Botox is only for women who have developed wrinkles.” Guess what? That is not just wrong it’s DOUBLE WRONG! In this blog, I will break down the process and hopefully answer a few questions some of you may have.

First off: The Process

Now I know getting injections in your face may sound scary and intimidating but believe me, it’s not bad at all. It’s super quick and easy; you’ll be done before you know it! The needles that are used for the procedure are really quite small so you barely feel a thing. Most people say it feels like a small pinch. Dr. Wang will use an ice pack to somewhat numb the area before injecting, and let me tell you that works like a charm. However, if you are still worried about the discomfort, feel free to address your concerns with Dr. Wang, and she may apply a topical numbing cream before administering the treatment. After the treatment is complete, the medical assistant may apply some Arnica gel on the area to reduce the risk of bruising, and then you’ll be on your way. The actual injection process takes only about 10 minutes. Note: Dr. Wang recommends that you do not sleep or lay down for at least 2 hours after the procedures and recommends that you frown, smile, and raise your eyebrows a lot for the remaining of the day to achieve better results. That’s pretty much all there is to it…pretty simple right?

Next up: Rumors, Beliefs, Speculations and Doubts

One of the biggest misconceptions of Botox is: only women use it and well that is in fact false. Botox- which relaxes the facial muscles to minimize lines and wrinkles- has been clinically evaluated in male patients too so it is very common among men as well. There are no sex limitations in beauty, we don’t discriminate and we certainly don’t judge. If you want and feel comfortable adding a little extra glimpse of beauty to yourself, please do so regardless of your sex and age. In fact, the number of American men getting Botox injections has skyrocketed 258 percent over the past decade or so.

We look at ourself everyday in the mirror and well let’s face it, we aren’t getting any younger. Men, why not give “Brotox” a try? You have nothing to lose and so much to gain.

Another reason why people decide to not give Botox a try is that they believe that their wrinkles will worsen once the effect wears off. That is false; there is no proven research that is the case. Yes, Botox is temporary and will not last a lifetime, but your wrinkles will certainly not worsen if you decide to discontinue the injections. After 3-6 months Botox will start wearing off, and your wrinkles will slowly reappear which is why three month touch ups are recommended for patients. Giving up the injections is a decision that is completely up to you, and please do not worry about your wrinkle becoming more visible. The only thing that will make your little wrinkles more noticeable is age and more sun.

So exactly how expensive is Botox? Well it really all comes down to the area you live in. Popular areas such as Los Angeles, Miami, or New York will generally be more expensive.Your cost not only includes the price of the product, but more importantly, the skill and expertise of the specialist or healthcare professional who is administering your treatment. Finding an experienced specialist who will understand your specific needs is by far the most important part of the whole process. Don’t be fooled by discounted prices, it sometimes is too good to be true.

You can read more FAQS here.

Now the real question here is: how old do you have to be to get Botox? I, myself was one who thought you had to be a least 30 years old in older to start Botox treatments and now I know that is completely incorrect. The truth is there is no specific age although it is often debated if women should enhance their looks at an early age. You don’t necessarily need to have wrinkles in order to get treatments, some young people do it at an early age as a preventative measure. Guess that old saying applies perfectly here, ‘you gotta teach ‘em young.’ If you’re a person with strong facial expressions and you tend to frown, wrinkle your nose, or raise your eyebrows a lot, Botox will help you eliminate those fine lines or stop them before they form.

“In June 2008 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, a team of cosmetic surgeons suggested this experiment is making all of us happier. People with Botox may be less vulnerable to the angry emotions of other people because they themselves can’t make angry or unhappy faces as easily. And because people with Botox can’t spread bad feelings to others via their expressions, people without Botox may be happier too.” Read more here.

See, Botox even makes the world a better place, wow! It truly is a revolutionary thing however, nobody should feel pressured to getting Botox because it is not a necessity nor a requirement.

It is a personally preference; if it satisfies you, keep rocking those injectables!

By Daisy Carmona

Medical Assistant, Alta Dermatology