While facelifts have proven effective in reversing the aging process, the scalpel is not the only option on the market today.
As the only approved product for both moderate to severe frown lines and crow’s feet, Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) continues to prove popular with everyone from professional athletes and movie stars to moms and young professionals.
This purified protein blocks nerve impulses to contract muscles, leaving your skin looking smoother. Botox is injected in areas of your face where wrinkles or noticeable expression lines have formed, and fills those lines in.
The surrounding muscles in the area will begin to contract at a slower rate—your face will look more relaxed and you will immediately notice that you have a softer expression.
In addition to helping one turn back the hands of time, Botox is also commonly used to treat everything from arthritic pain and bladder incontinence to excessive perspiration.
Despite its popularity and effectiveness, many still steer clear of this wonder cosmetic due to all the myths that are in still in circulation after all these years.
Worried you’ll end up looking frozen or fake? Do you fear the injections will be too painful to endure or that you’ll end up flat broke? These are just some of the myths we’re going to debunk.
1. I Can Get the Same Anti-Aging Benefits From Expensive Creams & Lotions
While there is a plethora of anti aging products on the market today, these creams merely scratch the surface of the aging process —quite literally!
The truth of the matter is wrinkles aren’t just about cellular changes, collagen depletion, or damaged caused by free radicals. Your facial expressions play a big role in the condition of your skin.
For example, when you frown, the muscles between your brows contract, causing your skin to furrow and fold.
Also, by squinting, the muscles around your eyes contract and cause crow’s feet. Botox works beneath the skin’s surface and targets the underlying muscle activity that causes frown lines and crow’s feet to form over time. There’s no miracle cream that’s going to do that for you.
2. I’ll End Up With a Frozen Looking Face
Over the years, botched or excessive use of Botox as portrayed in the mass media has many avoiding this product like the plague.
But there’s no need to fret looking fake – you should not lose the ability to show expression when you are treated by someone who is licensed, trained and a medical expert in facial anatomy. See number 5.
3. It’s Painful
Some patients report that being injected with Botox Cosmetic feels like a pinch. Your provider may use ice to numb the treatment area. If you are concerned about discomfort, your provider may apply a topical numbing cream before administering your treatment.
4. It’s Mainly Just Women Who Get Botox
Think Botox is just popular amongst women? Think again! Nowadays, both men and women are gravitating towards less invasive ways to obtain a youthful appearance – one that doesn’t require going under anesthesia or a huge drain on their bank account.
In recent clinical studies for moderate to severe frown lines, 17.5 percent of patients treated with Botox were men. In the same clinical studies for moderate to severe crow’s feet, male patients compromised approximately 10 percent of patients treated with Botox.
Both sexes deserve to look fresh-faced and youthful, so why not take advantage of an effective solution that will do just that?
5. Any Cosmetic Professional Can Give Me Botox
No! Like any drug or cosmetic procedure, Botox comes with some warnings. One of the concerns with Botox is that botulinum toxin-A may spread beyond the original injection site and cause symptoms similar to that of botulism, including swallowing and breathing difficulties.
In 2009, Health Canada announced new labelling information for the drug, which required it to indicate the toxin in Botox products may spread to distant parts of the body. The U.S. Food and Drug Agency has also addressed the concern, and notified manufacturers of the need to strengthen warnings and product labelling regarding toxin spread.
To ensure you are not exposed to high levels of the toxin, see a trained professional so the treatment is administered correctly and safely. It is detrimental to you health and well being that you research clinics, check references and ask questions before settling on a Botox provider. Be wary of discount products or “cheap” Botox Cosmetic—if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
6. The Effects of Botox are Permanent
Not true. When you discontinue treatment, the moderate to severe frown lines and crow’s feet will gradually return to look like they did before treatment.
7. I’ll Never Be Able to Afford Botox
Compared to the cost of going under the knife, Botox is far more affordable and has minimal to zero downtime. Your cost (which on average is around $12/unit in the Vancouver area), not only includes the price of the product, but more importantly, the skill and expertise of the doctor or healthcare professional who is administering your treatment.
You can also enroll in the Brilliant Distinctions® Rewards Program to save money on BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments. You earn points on each BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment that you can redeem for savings on future treatments. You can also earn and redeem points on other selected treatments that your doctor may determine are right for you.
Also, check with your Botox provider to see if they offer financing options.
So, forget what the naysayers are touting about Botox. This wonder cosmetic will help you regain the youthful glow of your younger days.
By changing the way you feel about your face, you’ll being viewing the aging process in a more positive light. Why focus on how old you are, when you can start focusing on how great you feel about yourself?
About Dr. Kumar Shivdasani
Dr. Kumar Shivdasani is a medical practitioner with 25 years experience. He began his career in emergency at Vancouver General Hospital and addiction medicine – later branching into cosmetic medicine. He is the owner of CüR Laser and Skin in Vancouver, BC. Education, good lifestyle and diet changes lay the foundation for developing overall health and wellness, helping Kumar’s clients achieve and maintain their target goals. Dr. Kumar is also dedicated to helping others as shown by his support for Summits of Hope and Turning Point Recovery.
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