Since the approval of Botox® by the FDA in 2002, Botox has become a $2.4 billion industry with about five million patients using this product throughout the United States. A powerful ant-aging tool, Botox is another name for the neurotoxin botulinum. An injectable drug, Botox blocks muscle contraction, minimizing facial movement, and helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Today, we will discuss the pros and cons of using Botox.
Botox can be used for medical reasons, such as to treat cross eye, migraine headaches, lack of bladder control, excessive sweating, muscle spasms, TMJ, cervical dystonia, and achalasia. However, it is more commonly used for cosmetic reasons.
Here are some of the pros and cons of using Botox for you to consider:
Pros of Using Botox
On the “pros” side, Botox is known to reduce wrinkles and scarring (including from acne) to help keep skin looking youthful. In fact, it can actually reduce wrinkles over time, as the areas that are paralyzed will no longer get “repetitive use” wrinkles. It has proven to be a safe solution to anti-aging, with the caveat being that it is not advised for women who are pregnant or nursing. A study published in the JAMA Dermatology from 2014 indicated a ratio of one negative side effect for every 3,333 injections.
Botox begins working within days, and the procedure itself only takes 5-10 minutes to complete. It is strongly advised to go to an experienced medical professional in a professional facility for this procedure to ensure you are taken care of properly. This will help ensure that you are getting the correct, FDA-approved product.
Cons of Using Botox
Your Botox injection will not last forever. Usually the effects fade after 3-6 months, which means that you will need to get another injection if you want to continue to see improvement. Granted, you may see this as a positive if you simply want to test it out to see if you like it, but it is worthwhile to note the frequency required to maintain the benefits. Treatments can cost several hundred dollars depending on the areas treated and each individual facial assessment.
Botox is intended to restrict facial movement, which some people equate to a lack of expression or one more consistent expression. Some side effects of Botox can include headache, upset stomach, bruising, dysphasia, changes in mood, neck pain, and in rare cases allergic reaction or upper respiratory tract infections.
These are some of the pros and cons of using Botox. Here at Be Well we have medical professionals who are licensed and experienced in administering Botox. If you are interested to learn more about Botox treatment, contact us at buzz@visitbewell.com or schedule an appointment by clicking here.
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