Botox injections are used each day by thousands of women and some men as an anti-aging cosmetic enhancement. The injections can treat forehead furrows, frown lines between the eyebrows, and crow’s feet by the corners of the eyes. The effects can last for four to six months, after which the treatment is usually repeated.
Prevention of Wrinkles
Evidence shows that using Botox at an earlier age before the lines are imprinted, as a form of “prejuvination,” works very well. In a 2006 study involving identical twin sisters, one twin used Botox regularly for 13 years and the other tried it just twice. Neither of the twins experienced adverse effects. Forehead and glabellar lines were evident in the minimally treated twin and not in the twin who was regularly treated. Facial areas that were untreated (e.g., nasolabial folds) showed comparable aging in both twins. If wrinkles can be prevented with Botox injections, a big question to answer is at what age to start. Some doctors have stated that getting injections before the late 30s is unnecessary for the majority of people. Most people who get Botox injections are starting in their 40s, 50s and 60s.
Common Side Effects
Common side effects include swelling or bruising at the injection site, headache or flu-like symptoms. Bruises can take up to two weeks to resolve, though the application of ice and pressure to a bruise can minimize enlargement. Any headaches are usually mild and resolve within a few days of treatment.
Known Risks
Some unlikely but critical risks to be aware of are the possibility that the medication spreads to other parts of the body and causes botulism-like symptoms. You should contact your doctor immediately if you have muscle weakness throughout your body, vision problems, difficulty speaking, swallowing or breathing or have loss of bladder control.
Undesired Effects
If you are healthy and balanced in your decision to proceed with Botox injections, it will be important to select a skilled health care practitioner for the procedure. If the injections aren’t placed correctly, the Botox could spread into adjacent tissues as cause problems such as eyelid droop, cockeyed eyebrows, crooked smile, dry eye or excessive tearing.
It is also important to be aware that some experts have found that, with repetitive use of Botox, other facial muscles can overcompensate for the parts that are paralyzed. The result can be the formation of new lines and wrinkles that need treating or the requirement to stop treatment altogether.
Unknown Effects
While Botox has been used to treat squints and stiff necks for 25 years already without causing side-effects, the long-term effects on the brain, nervous system and muscles remain unknown. Animal experiments have shown that Botox can affect the way nerves behave and may inhibit the release of vital brain chemicals.
Enabling Other Problems
Several recent studies show that a percentage of patients seeking cosmetic enhancements through at a dermatology clinic (up to 25 percent) had body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), an illness that makes people believe they are unattractive. For these patients, cosmetic procedures may not be as beneficial and instead could worsen their self-image and dependence on medical treatments as well as cause resulting financial strain. Some experts have suggested pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavior psychotherapy may be a better treatment for patients with BDD.
Patient Satisfaction Rates
Although there are several caveats to be aware of when choosing to have Botulinum toxin treatments performed, Botox remains the top cosmetic procedure performed in Canada. Botox injections, especially in the face, are associated with a high rate of patient satisfaction. The injections generally offer predictable results and have few adverse side effects. As a result, many clinicians are seeking to incorporate these aesthetic treatments into their practice.
