Botulinum Toxin type A, or the widely popular Botox, has been mired in controversies since the time FDA approved it in 2002[1]. From fear of deaths caused by the injections to calling it a painful procedure, people are discouraged even to think, leave alone attempting the procedure.
At Tvak, we have had several patients coming to us with many doubts ranging from the results to the side-effects of the procedure. We realised that there is an urgent need to address these concerns and thus decided to pen them down in this blog.
What is Botox?
Before we debunk the common myths, let’s understand what botox is. Botox is a drug that is made from a neurotoxin produced by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum or Botulinum Toxin. It comprises of Botulinum Toxin type A, human albumin, and sodium chloride[2].
Now, don’t let the words toxins and bacterium scare you. We are going to address these concerns right here.
- Did you just say botulinum ‘toxin’? Aren’t toxins harmful?[3]
If the question just crossed your mind, then relax! Botulinum toxin is an organism found in the natural environment. It is non-toxic in nature. Most importantly, it is approved by FDA for a facial treatment, so it is definitely not something that will cause harm to your body. Of course, anything that’s done wrong can be toxic. Thus, it’s important to discuss it with your healthcare experts and dermatologist before undergoing the procedure.
- I read somewhere that botox could kill a person, is it true?
Anything in excess or done in a wrong way is harmful. Botox is safe unless it is performed in an incorrect way or by an inexperienced professional. Deaths can occur due to wrong dosage or inaccurate procedure. So, always research and then choose the right professional to perform the procedure. At Tvak, we discuss the procedure in detail with our patients to ensure that they are aware of how it takes place and have realistic expectations after it is complete.
- Botox is only for aesthetic purposes.
While the most common use of Botox injection is to give you a younger looking skin, there are also other benefits of using botox. They are used to treat eye squints, migraines, and excess sweating. Botox is favoured by celebrities, but that should not stop you from undergoing the treatment if you want to look your best.
- Botox will make my skin wrinkle-free
Most people lose trust in doctors because they believe that botox will make them completely wrinkle-free and the results are far from what they expected. So, here’s something that you need to know. Botox does not make your skin completely wrinkle-free. There are two types of wrinkles – static, and dynamic. Static wrinkles are the ones that you get due to age and excess exposure to sun etc. Dynamic, on the other hand, are developed due to facial muscular movement. Botox only treat dynamic wrinkles. It does not address the static ones.
Final thoughts
These are just some of the most common myths that we have come across in our experience. We understand that people are sceptical about the entire process especially because they fear a frozen look or to become the talk of the town. However, rest assured, it is not as extreme as media or people make it out to be. As we keep saying at Tvak, the right dosage of botox with the proper procedure will give a natural look to your skin. It’s all about selecting the right professional to help you smoothen your wrinkles.
If you have any queries about Botox, please feel free to contact us at – phone no to book an appointment! We will be happy to answer them all for you.
[1] https://champagneliving.net/6-biggest-misconceptions-botox/
[2] https://www.beverlywilshiremedical.com/botox/10-common-myths-botox-truth-behind/
[3] https://www.beverlywilshiremedical.com/botox/10-common-myths-botox-truth-behind/