Pros and Cons of Getting Botox

Since its invention in the 1980s, people have been using Botox to treat medical conditions, soften wrinkles, and look their best. In 2016 alone, over 7 million people got Botox or similar injections, making it the most common minimally invasive cosmetic procedure. However, just like any treatment option, there are factors and risks to consider before deciding whether Botox is right for you. You should consider the pros and cons of getting Botox before proceeding with this injectable. 

What is Botox?

Botox is an FDA-approved drug made from a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In nature, this toxin causes a serious type of food poisoning called botulism. However, Botox injections are made from small diluted doses that are perfectly safe for humans. Botox works by temporarily paralyzing muscles near the injection site. Because of this, Botox is most commonly used for cosmetic purposes to soften wrinkles around the eyes, mouth, and forehead. However, Botox can also treat medical conditions such as excessive sweating, uncontrollable blinking, chronic migraines, and severe muscle contractions. Of course, there are pros and cons of getting Botox. 

If you want to learn more about Botox or schedule a consultation, call us at (480) 963-3034 or contact us online today! 

Pros of Getting Botox

Botox is a safe, non-surgical alternative to plastic surgery. Although the treatment is temporary, it is an effective “touch up” procedure with no scarring or residual damage to the skin or muscle tissue. Men and women have used Botox primarily to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles, but there are also other medical benefits to using Botox. The following are the benefits of getting Botox injections.

Botox effectively prevents wrinkles

It’s not just a fad—Botox really works! Botox is FDA-approved and proven successful. But how does it work? Botulinum Toxin A, the primary component in Botox, prevents muscle contractions by attacking the proteins that trigger the contractions. When the muscles stop moving, wrinkles stop forming. Patients can get Botox injections anywhere on the face to temporarily erase or reduce horizontal forehead lines, vertical frown lines, and crow’s feet. There are millions of clients happy with their results!

Results are not permanent

Facial muscles that have been “frozen” with Botox will eventually regain movement after a certain period of time. Because of this, Botox treatments will give temporary results that last anywhere from 3 to 6 months. If you don’t love the results of your Botox treatment, you can simply let the Botox fade and it will look as if you never had anything done. Botox offers you the flexibility to decide if you want to continue treatments or go back to the way things were. 

Treatments are quick and (almost) painless

Including the initial consultation and preparation, a Botox treatment takes around 30 minutes. The injections themselves are relatively painless and only take around 5 to 10 minutes. A trained physician will inject Botox via small needles, and some clinics offer topical numbing agents. Patients do not feel pain once the procedure is finished. 

Results are quick

Patients typically see the results of Botox within 2-7 days. The full result—smooth, wrinkle-free skin—takes about 2 weeks. Most treatments last from 3 to 6 months.

Benefits are not just aesthetic

Aside from its cosmetic uses, Botox can treat a variety of conditions. Botox injections block the chemical signals from nerves that cause muscles to contract, making it useful to treat conditions that affect how the body functions. 

Here are some conditions Botox can treat:

• Lazy eye: Lazy eye is often caused by an imbalance in the muscles responsible for positioning the eye. Botox has the ability to freeze muscles and prevent muscle spasms, making it a viable treatment option for lazy eye.
• Eye twitching: Eye twitching is often temporary and caused by lack of sleep or stress. However, some people suffer from chronic eyelid spasms called blepharospasm. Botox injections relax contracted eyelid muscles and block some of the nerve signaling responsible for the twitching. This can provide relief from continuous eyelid muscle spasms. In most cases, patients’ eyelids cease their spasms within a day to a week after the injection. 
• Excessive Sweating: Sweating is a natural process that helps keep people cool. However, with excessive sweating, people will sweat throughout the day even when the temperature is comfortable and they are not exerting themselves. Fortunately, you can treat excessive sweating with Botox. When injected into the underarms, hands, or soles of the feet, Botox will block the secretion of the chemical that activates sweat glands.
• Chronic migraines: If you experience migraines more than 15 days a month, Botox may help reduce headache frequency. To help relieve migraines, Botox enters the nerve endings around the injection site and blocks the release of chemicals involved in pain transmission. This prevents the activation of pain networks in the brain. Patients often notice results after two Botox treatments. 
• Bladder dysfunction: Botox injections in the bladder lining can help reduce urinary incontinence caused by an overactive bladder. Patients who receive this treatment see several improvements, including reduced episodes of urinary incontinence, reduced urgency, and a reduction in the number of times they urinate throughout the day and night. Approximately 70-75% of patients experience a significant reduction in symptoms.
• Muscle contractures: Those who have had muscle contractures treated with Botox injections have reported an improvement in positioning and range of motion, decreased pain in stiff muscles, a reduction of spasticity, and greater ease in stretching.

There is no downtime

Unlike surgical operations, Botox does not require recovery time. Some people may experience small bruises near the injection site. However, there are rarely side effects that require recovery time. You can resume your normal daily activities right after the treatment. Just avoid heavy exercise on the day of your Botox injection and wait at least 2 weeks between treatments. 

Convenient

Botox is a safe and convenient alternative to plastic surgery. Patients can schedule quick injection appointments at their convenience.  

Few Risks

Botox is FDA-approved and has very few health risks associated with its treatments. Severe side effects and allergic reactions related to Botox injections are very rare. Botox is well-researched, and serious side effects typically only occur because of pre-existing health conditions. Always go to a reputable clinic to avoid risks or complications. 

Dr. Finkel has safely and effectively conducted Botox treatments for many years. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call (480) 963-3034 or contact us online today! 

Cons of Getting Botox

Despite its effectiveness in treating cosmetic issues, there are some downsides to Botox. Like any injectable, you should be aware of the pros and cons of getting Botox. It’s important to consider these factors before proceeding with Botox treatments. 

Results are temporary

You may have noticed this in the Pros section as well—that’s because temporary results are a good and bad thing! On one hand, temporary results mean if you don’t like what you see, it will fade away in a few months. However, this also means if you like the results, you will need to keep up with Botox injections on a more regular basis. Keep in mind Botox can last for 3 to 6 months, so you will need to schedule ongoing appointments to maintain your look. This can become time-consuming and expensive for those who require frequent visits. 

Cost

Botox injections are relatively expensive. A typical injection costs anywhere from $250 – $1500. This amount depends on where Botox is injected and how much is needed. And because Botox treatments are temporary, you will have to pay for injections on a regular basis depending on your needs. 

Requires a professional

Botox is not something you can inject on your own! A professional physician will determine where the injection is needed and how much Botox should be administered. Always research clinics beforehand to make sure they are highly reputable. Finding an experienced clinic will minimize the chances that you will experience negative side effects or unwanted muscle loss. 

There can be side effects

Most side effects of Botox are mild and do not cause any major discomfort. The most commonly reported side effects are bruising and swelling at the injection site and headaches. In more serious cases, a tiny percentage of patients have experienced neck pain, upper respiratory tract infections, nausea, minor loss of speech, and eyelid drooping. Serious allergic reactions are rare but can include itching, wheezing, difficultly breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Always consult your physician beforehand to discuss potential risks. 

Affecting unintended muscles

Botox paralyzes and relaxes overused muscles to prevent wrinkles from appearing. However, if injected improperly, Botox may lead to a lack of proper facial expression. Some patients may experience the appearance of a constantly frowned or surprised look. Additionally, some have sited problems squinting. This is why it’s important to schedule treatments from reputable clinics to reduce the risk of unintended side effects. 

Dr. Finkel has years of experience administering Botox treatments and selecting the right fillers for each client. Now that you know the pros and cons of getting Botox, contact her today to schedule a consultation.