Botox is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments in the world, but there is often confusion about what it does, how it works, and when it is appropriate. This article provides a clear and honest overview of Botox and similar injectable treatments, including what to expect, how long results last, and when combining treatments with fillers can enhance the outcome. Whether you are considering Botox for the first time or want to learn more, this guide gives you the facts.
From businessman to tired housewife, my waiting room is regularly full of 'botox clients'. In five years, botox has grown into one of the most popular treatments in our practice. Unfortunately, a great many myths about botox are circulating. Fancy a lesson?
Botox is a brand name. We should really be talking about botulinum toxin. But for the sake of simplicity, let us call it botox. Alongside all anti-wrinkle creams, botox is a good option for tackling wrinkles. Wrinkles form primarily where the underlying muscles contract — in other words, where your facial expressions are most pronounced. Over time, creases form in the skin. If you deactivate the relevant muscles, no crease — read: wrinkle — can form. And that is precisely what botox does. Botox injections temporarily prevent the muscle from receiving the signal to contract. This means no wrinkle can form either. It does have limitations, however. A wrinkle that is present even when your face is at rest cannot be eliminated with botox. This is why more and more younger people are opting for preventive botox treatment — particularly for smile lines, frown lines, and forehead wrinkles. Botox is also used to combat excessive sweating (hands, armpits). The effect is temporary, lasting around five to six months.
Botox has been used in hospitals for more than thirty years, for example in cases of spasticity. Because botox has been in use for so long, we know that the substance is safe, even in the long term. When you think of botox, you may think of botulism. Botox is indeed one of the most toxic substances found in nature. But we use botox in such a highly diluted form that it never poses any health risk. Nevertheless, knowledge of the substance and of facial anatomy is always essential for safe treatment by a qualified doctor. Botox is never a replacement for anti-wrinkle creams. Skincare remains important, as botox only acts on the underlying muscles and has no effect on the condition of the skin.
Source: Over botox en zo – DA Magazine edition
Read the article from DA Magazine here.