There is no doubt that one of the most common and well-known forms of cosmetic surgery across the world is Botox. You have probably seen people on the TV and in movies who have had Botox for wrinkles, but what you might not realize is just how normal the treatment has become among everyday people, even people that you might know personally!
Botox is an injectable treatment of botulinum toxin that places a dermal filler solution under the skin which results in a smoother, younger-looking face. Since its invention, Botox treatment for wrinkles has become much more affordable and available all over the world. If you are interested, first take a look through our handy guide to what are the pros and cons of Botox injections to give you a comprehensive look into the treatment.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Botox
1. It Really Works!
Many people ask the question ‘is Botox dangerous’? The fact of the matter is that Botox is safe and really does do the job that it claims to do. Millions of happy patients around the world will testify to the treatment’s successful anti-aging properties like reducing crow’s feet, frown lines, and laughter lines without negative effects.
2. It Is Quick and Relatively Painless
The sensation of getting Botox is not unlike getting a normal kind of jab from your doctor. A short moment of pinching is all it takes for the treatment to be administered, and this is far quicker and much less painful than procedures that involve surgical cuts and long healing periods. It’s non-surgical all the way.
3. No Downtime
You can walk into a surgeon’s office and come out with Botox injected, needing no real downtime at all. Some patients experience very tiny bruises, but that is the extent of it, again much better than needing bandages and gauze from a more invasive procedure. Recovery time is one of the best of all anti-aging procedures.
4. Quick Results
Though the full effects of Botox are not usually revealed until the two-week mark, patients do start to see a visible difference in their faces and facial expressions as soon as two days after the initial procedure. This is the main goal for many when the goal is to prevent wrinkles.
5. It Isn’t Permanent
Though some might see this is as a con, the temporary nature of Botox means that you don’t have to live in regret of having a treatment done that you didn’t like. Botox is something that can be topped up if you love it or left to disappear if you don’t!
6. Low Risk
There are very low risks when it comes to getting Botox. Any patient who is in good health and has no allergies to the ingredients involved stands a great chance of having a procedure done with absolutely no side effects of Botox whatsoever.
7. More Than Just Aesthetic Benefits
Preventative Botox is also a recommended treatment for other body issues like excessive sweating and chronic headaches,[2] for example. Injecting into gland-filled areas can help to reduce the amount of sweat that you create in a certain area of the body, boosting one’s self-confidence.
8. Low Cost
Compared to a large majority of other cosmetic procedures, Botox is at the lower end of the scale when it comes to cost. This makes it an accessible treatment for all.
9. FDA Approved
Botox is not a treatment that is experimental and being used outside of accepted medical practices. It is FDA board certified which means that the relevant official bodies have deemed it safe and appropriate to be used for the issues that we are discussing here with few health risks.
Cons of Botox
1.Not Permanent
This can be both a pro and a con! For some people, the fact that Botox is not a permanent treatment means that they have to keep paying for top-up treatments to maintain their look. Effectiveness time can vary between patients so the cost will depend on the frequency of treatments are required.
2. Allergic Reactions
Patients who are not properly advised by their surgeons can have allergic reactions to certain ingredients used in Botox, but this is a step that should be avoided with proper medical professionalism and care. Some of these reactions will also have something to do with your own skincare routine and products used, as much as it could be a Botox complication
3. Loss of Facial Expression
To achieve a youthful, wrinkle-free aesthetic, patients may have to sacrifice some of the natural movement and expression in their face for the duration of the effects.
4. Cost Builds Over Time
Whilst a single treatment of Botox is cheaper than other procedures, the fact that you have to keep returning to top-up injections to keep fine lines away means that years’ worth of Botox use can end up costing a lot of money.
5. It Can Take Many Tries
Even for a good candidate, getting the perfect look with Botox is an experiment that takes several turns to get right. You need to be prepared to commit to a series of treatments before finding the Botox regime that is right for you.
6. Side Effects
In some rare cases, there are side effects that can happen as a result of Botox injections. These can include:
- Bruising and swelling at the site of the injections.
- Headaches
- Neck pain
- Upper respiratory infection
- Nausea
- Minor loss of speech
- Partial eyelid drooping
- Botulism (very rare)
Whilst the majority of these more severe side effects are extremely rare, they are worth taking into consideration when thinking about the bigger Botox picture. Very few of these risk being long-term effects.
7. Some Pain
Though the discomfort and disadvantages that are experienced during Botox are much smaller than larger cosmetic producers, there is no denying that there is some level of pain involved. If you are someone who cannot handle the thought of needles and some swelling in your face, then Botox might not be the treatment for you.
8. Prevents Squinting
Something that you might not think about a lot is squinting, but it is a facial reaction that is very important for protecting the eyes, especially in the sun. Sometimes, Botox can have the effect of making a person unable to squint as much as they would like, and this can lead to further eye problems in the future.
It is important to weigh up the pros and cons before seeking Botox treatment. Always have a consultation with a professional clinic.
