It is not as uncommon to hear words, spoken sometimes in hushed tones, like ‘plastic’, ‘emotionless’ or ‘had a little something-something done’ in conversations regarding someone’s suspected trips to aesthetic surgery clinics. Albeit its gain in popularity in recent years, there are many who are skeptical of what purpose Botox, fillers and augmentations actually have.
Risk-adverse people tend to err on the side of caution and prefer to stick to the age-old adage of “It’s better to be safe than sorry”. While there is nothing wrong with being wary, (we’ve seen those headlines hollering about the dangers of Botox botching client’s faces), do we actually have enough information to make informed choices when it comes to such fillers? Let’s debunk a few of the more common ones.
Myth 1: “Botox is toxic and it will spread to the rest of the body and cause other health problems.”
Botox is derived from a protein and a neurotoxin (that on its own, is toxic to the body) but because it is used correctly and in appropriately smaller doses and at localized areas, it becomes safe and effective to use. Furthermore, Botox will eventually be metabolized by the body and removed naturally in a few months.
Myth 2: “The effects of Botox are not permanent, but it will remain in our bodies long after.”
Different people metabolize Botox at different speeds so while some may reap the benefits of having wrinkle-free skin for a longer period than others, that’s about where it ends. In order to keep the skin looking smooth and refined, follow-up appointments would need to be made to keep it looking that way as Botox is not permanent. Also, for every week that Botox stays in your body, it loses its potency and possibly at a quicker pace the faster your metabolism works.
Myth 3: “Some creams and serums work just like Botox!” or “I don’t like that ‘frozen’ look.”
While creams, lotions and serums work on the superficial level of skin, Botox is injected at the neuromuscular junction in order to prevent the muscle from contracting. Furthermore, creams or serums that can penetrate the skin at that level would not be readily available for self-use and would have had to go through rigorous medical checks.
As with most aesthetic procedures, Botox should be performed by a trained and skilled medical professional to ensure the dosage is adequate to avoid a botch job or a lethal overdose.
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