Botox® is the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedure and with good reason. There were over 7 million Botox procedures in 2018, a 3% increase over the previous year’s report.
Why is Botox so popular? For one, it’s a nonsurgical procedure that can be done in a doctor’s office in under 15 minutes, and it can help you feel and look younger. While Botox is clearly a popular procedure, you might be reluctant to have it done because of the myths that persist.
Our team at Los Gatos Dermatology, under the direction of a board-certified dermatologist Bruce Saal, MD, put together this list of four of the most common myths about Botox followed by the facts.
Fact: Botox is derived from botulinum toxin, which is a bacterium that causes botulism food poisoning. Because it’s a toxin, you might, understandably, be reluctant to let us inject it into your face.
But Botox has been FDA-approved not only as a skin procedure but also to treat a number of health issues such as migraines, TMJ, back pain, and even incontinence. For safety, though, you should only receive Botox injections from a qualified and experienced doctor or nurse.
Fact: The effects of Botox are temporary. Depending on your metabolism and where you get your injections, results can last from three to four months.
As the Botox wears off, your fine lines return to what they were before the Botox. They do not get worse. In fact, some say their lines and wrinkles look less severe.
Fact: Botox is a neurotoxin that relaxes your facial muscles so that they don’t form wrinkles. Dermal fillers, such as Juvederm® and Restylane®, are, as the name implies, products that fill in sunken areas and fine lines in your face.
Dermal fillers add volume and plump up areas such as your lips or cheeks, whereas Botox acts as more of a line smoother. Both Botox and dermal fillers work to improve your appearance by smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles and lifting sunken or drooping areas on your face.
Fact: People think that Botox robs you of your facial expression, leaving you looking frozen and expressionless. But expertly applied Botox can give you a smooth, natural, and younger look while still enabling you to show all expressions. Using a skilled injector is the key to natural-looking results.
Are you ready to schedule your Botox appointment? Call us Los Gatos Dermatology in Los Gatos, California, today to schedule your appointment and look younger in no time.
