Should you get Botox? That seems to be a big question for people in their twenties and onward. The procedure can be expensive and painful – is it worth it and is it really necessary? We are going to unlock the HONEST truth of how Botox works, who it really works for and who needs it and who doesn’t…
WHAT IS BOTOX?
Botox is actually a brand name for a protein made from Botulinum Toxin. It is injected into the face in small amounts to relax certain muscles.
The protein is actually derived from a bacteria that is found in soil, dust and lakes. The protein is then purified and distilled and is safe for injection.
HOW DOES BOTOX WORK?
There are so many myths that Botox “freezes” your face/muscles. This actually is not true it all. How Botox works is that is sends signals to your brain to stop those muscles from contacting. When your muscles are unable to contract, it allows the muscle to relax and makes your skin look smoother.
Botox doesn’t “freeze” your face, it just tells your brain to reduce that muscle movement in the face, relaxing those muscles.
It wears off within 4-6 months because over time the muscle regains its normal movement again.
THE PROS
- Softens and prevents expression lines
- It is not permanent so if you dislike it, it wears off eventually
- Quick recovery time
THE CONS
- You have to keep up with it every 4-6 months
- Results don’t last
- It is VERY expensive
- Muscles can thin overtime which may change your facial proportions in the long run
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF BOTOX?
Botox is generally pretty safe especially compared to filler. 95% of the complications will go away once the Botox itself wears off.
Common Complications:
- Eyelid Ptosis (eyelid droop) – this wears off
- Spock Brow (one brow is higher than the other) – this can be fixed with another injection or it wears off
- Bruising/Swelling (very common)
- Looking too “frozen” – common but wears off and then you dose lower next time to look more natural
WHO IS BOTOX GOOD FOR?
Botox is good for people who have wrinkles/lines still at facial rest. From making repeated facial expressions, these lines form and crease the skin and Botox helps you to stop making these expressions so the lines fade and do not deepen.
You do not need Botox if you have no fine lines at facial rest… but then, what about for preventative reasons right?
SHOULD YOU GET PREVENTATIVE BOTOX?
If you are getting it for preventative reasons, it really won’t do much for anti-aging if you are getting it done but have little to no wrinkles/fine lines. The aging process is not just about relaxing muscle movement, it is about having a healthy skin barrier, using SPF, diet and lifestyle, and more.
If you start in your twenties, it will help to reduce fine lines if you keep up with it for the rest of your life, but anti-aging is more than just reducing fine lines. It will not help you to still look 20 when you are 40, it will just look as if you have a few less/fainter lines than someone who has moved their face a lot over the years.
CAN GETTING BOTOX TOO YOUNG AGE YOU QUICKER?
For a quick answer: no, it should not age you quicker.
Botox injections do not cause collagen loss, volume loss or thinning of the skin.
People may appear to look older when they get injections young and then STOP because those lines that now have come back feel dramatic because they used to having wrinkle-free skin 24/7.
Over-treating areas to obtain that “frozen” looks takes away from youthful movement sometimes, so it is best when doing Botox to ask for moderate movement, and not to ask for the frozen look. This is the best way to keep it looking natural and youthful.
FINAL HONEST OPINION
So the final verdict: do YOU personally need Botox?
Botox is for people who have wrinkles still at rest when they aren’t making any facial movements (raising brows, frowning, smiling). When you make these facial expressions, lines form and with repetitive expressions, these lines stay embedded into the skin even when you aren’t making any expression. This goes back to the whole phrase our parents used to tell us “if you keep making that face then it will stay that way.” This saying does have a lot of truth to it.
If you have fine lines or deep lines that linger at rest, then you are a good candidate for Botox. If you really don’t have any lines or very faint lines, then you are not a good candidate for Botox injections.
Aging doesn’t simply come down to muscle movement, it also comes down to how you treat your skin when you’re younger and how you treat it over your life span.
