Botox: Fact vs Fiction
Many of Dr. DeMars Portland plastic surgery patients enjoy the benefits of using Botox, however many new patients have some confusion surrounding Botox fact vs. fiction. We’ve provided this article to help shed light on this popular non-surgical cosmetic option.
- Fact: Botox is safe. Botox is derived from Botulinum toxin, a very strong food poison, but in the manufacturing process it is purified and weakened to make it safe when purchased from a reputable manufacturer and administered by a reputable physician or Injection Specialist.
- Fiction: Botox is an Instant Fix. Botox works by interfering with signals from nerves to muscles and in the face. It is used primarily to stop the activity of small muscles of expression that make the wrinkles in the forehead and around the eyes. In most patients, it takes 4-7 days before the effects are noticed.
- Fact: Botox is temporary. Botox does not cause permanent weakness of these small muscles, it’s effect wears off after about 4 months.
- Fiction: You have to keep using it or your wrinkles will be worse than ever. Botox can be discontinued at any time and the muscle activity and the wrinkles caused by the muscles will simply return to their normal state.
- Fact: Botox treats more than wrinkles. Many patients with migraine headaches find relief with Botox for months. It is also used to control excessive sweating in the armpits, imbalance of the muscles of the eye, and the heavy bands that can form in the front of the neck with aging.
- Fiction: Botox is only for older wrinkled patients. Many younger patients in their late 20s and 30s use Botox as a preventative to keep their wrinkles from forming or getting too deep.
- Fact: Not all health care professionals are equal in their skill with Botox. A well-trained and Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who is familiar with the anatomy of the face may do a much better job than a technician who has simply taken a course in injecting. Also, well trained Nurse Injectionist may be very skilled at using Botox.
- Fiction: Botox creates a frozen face. Botox only works on the muscles it is injected into and a skilled injectionist will leave untouched many of the facial muscles in order to prevent the overdone look.
- Fact: You can repeat Botox treatments on a schedule that suits your needs. Some patients will seek treatment every 4-6 months and others less frequently based on their needs.
- Fiction: With Botox you will not need a facelift. Botox is excellent at what it does, but the gravitational changes of aging are not corrected this easily and that is where surgical rejuvenation plays a role.
Have more questions about Botox? We invite you to call Dr. DeMars’ office at (503) 253-3458 to learn more about Botox in Portland.
