Botox Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction in Cosmetic Anti-Aging

“You’ll get botulism.” “Your face will freeze.” “You’ll look so unnatural.” Do these statements sound familiar? If you’ve considered trying Botox, chances are you’ve heard or read statements similar to these. You want to look younger, but the fear of botched results in the media makes you reluctant to try Botox. But is everything you’re hearing really the truth, or are they just Botox myths? Let’s set the story straight and learn what information is true and what’s false when it comes to Botox.

Botox Myths: How the Media Fuels Misinformation

The media is largely responsible for spreading Botox myths. A juicy headline about how a celebrity got a botched Botox treatment is great click-bait, and who hasn’t laughed at the way Botox is portrayed in movies and television? If you’ve watched Tim Allen’s comedic portrayal of Botox gone wrong in “Christmas with the Kranks” or laughed at “Scrubs” while watching Jordan try to make facial expressions with a “frozen” face, you’ve likely noticed a pattern in how the entertainment industry fuels Botox myths.

Based on news reports and representations in TV and film, it seems the media would like you to believe that negative results from Botox are the norm. The inability to control your facial muscles, having a stiff frozen face and being unable to express emotion are common themes. While these portrayals are amusing, the publicity surrounding them only focuses on what can go wrong after receiving Botox rather than how the treatment can deliver impressive results when performed by a qualified physician.

How Botched Botox Leads to Widely Believed Botox Myths

If you research the most common causes of undesirable Botox results, you’ll come across one major, common theme: botched results are typically caused by providers who are poorly trained, unlicensed, or otherwise unqualified to perform the procedure. It’s important to keep in mind that Botox is a medical procedure, so it must be performed by a qualified physician who has extensive experience and training in cosmetic injectables. Only then can you be assured of excellent results.

Questions to Ask Your Botox Provider

How can you find a physician with the necessary qualifications and training? When researching Botox providers, consider the following:

• Does the provider have training in facial anatomy?
• Is he/she trained, licensed, and board-certified in dermatology, dermatologic surgery, or similar specialties?
• How many years of experience do they have?
• Do they offer Botox before and after photos of patients that have been treated with Botox in their own practice?
• Are they using name-brand Botox in the original vial and packaging?
• Are they able to answer your questions about Botox and offer information on the procedure, including the most common side effects?

Top Botox Myths Debunked

Is Botox painful? Will my face look “frozen?” Is Botox only for women? Is the procedure unsafe? We’ve all heard these Botox myths over the years, and in short, the answer to all of these questions is no. Learn to separate fact from fiction as we explore some of the top Botox myths.

MYTH: Botox only works to correct the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
FACT: While it’s no secret that Botox is considered the gold standard for cosmetic anti-aging treatments, you might be surprised to learn that Botox was originally used to treat medical conditions. In fact, Botox first received FDA approval in 1989 for the treatment of two common eye disorders: strabismus and blepharospasm. Since then, Botox has been approved for other alternative uses including the treatment of excessive sweating, chronic migraines, overactive bladder, and cervical dystonia.

MYTH: The effects of Botox are permanent.
FACT: A common misconception of Botox is that the results are permanent, but it’s important to understand that it’s only a temporary treatment. Results typically last for 3-4 months.

MYTH: Botox injections are painful.
FACT: Anytime people think of needles, they think of pain. However, you can take comfort in knowing that Botox is injected into your skin using a very fine needle, and most patients report feeling nothing more than a slight pinch during treatment. If needed, your dermatologic surgeon can apply ice or a topical anesthetic to ensure total comfort during treatment.

MYTH: Botox will make your face look frozen and expressionless.
FACT: If you watch reality TV or flip through an entertainment magazine, you will no doubt be reminded of the number of celebrities who look strange or unnatural. Although the media would like you to believe that this frozen appearance is the norm, it’s simply not true. Like any cosmetic treatment, the quality of the results you receive from Botox depend on the training and licensing of your provider. If you’re concerned about looking unnatural or overdone, finding a qualified and experienced provider, such as a board-certified dermatologic surgeon, who works in a reputable location is the only way to ensure that you get the natural results you’re looking for.

MYTH: Only women get Botox.
FACT: Based on the entertainment industry and information you receive from health and beauty magazines, it would seem that Botox is intended only for women. Looking at statistics, however, you’ll see that both men and women take advantage of the benefits that Botox provides. In fact, research has shown that nearly 1 in 10 people receiving Botox are men. Many male celebrities have also “come out” as using Botox, including Denzel Washington and Patrick Dempsey.

MYTH: The results achieved from Botox are noticeable immediately.
FACT: Instantaneous smoothing of lines and wrinkles would certainly enhance the appeal of Botox, but this is just another common misconception. Botox works by temporarily relaxing the nerves controlling muscle movement, but this doesn’t happen right away. You won’t have to wait too long before you notice results, though. In general, most patients see a noticeable reduction in lines and wrinkles in just 3-7 days.

MYTH: Botox injections are too time-consuming.
FACT: No matter how busy your schedule, Botox can be administered efficiently and in a timely manner. Total treatment time takes about 10 minutes, and since there is no downtime with Botox, you can immediately resume your everyday activities.

MYTH: Since Botox contains a toxin, it is not a safe procedure.
FACT: We’ve saved the most popular of the many Botox myths out there for last. In 2002, the FDA determined that Botox was a safe and effective treatment for cosmetic anti-aging. Following FDA approval, all products continue to be monitored for safety. While it’s true that Botox contains the active ingredient botulinum toxin, it’s considered a safe treatment option that has a very low rate of serious side effects when performed by a board-certified dermatologic surgeon. In short, you don’t have to worry about contracting botulism while getting Botox injections from a reputable physician.

Get the Best Botox Results With Board-Certified Dermatologic Surgeons

With some of the most common Botox myths debunked, you might be ready to learn more about how you can benefit from the anti-aging results Botox delivers. Dr. C. William Hanke of the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of Indiana is a leader in the field and can apply his knowledge and skill to give you the information and results you’re looking for. He has been a clinical investigator in a number of Botox clinical research trials. Since Dr. Hanke is consistently listed as a Top Doc in the U.S. News and World Report and featured in Best Doctors in America, you can feel comfortable knowing that you’ll receive quality treatment without the worry of botched results. If you’re in the Indianapolis area, contact us to schedule a consultation. We look forward to meeting you!