If you have been looking into Botox lately you may have heard about the recent controversy surrounding a new and potentially dangerous substance in the Botox family. You may be wondering if Botox is safe as a cosmetic enhancement for your face, or as a treatment for an ailment such as stiffness in the limbs or migraines.
As Botox is something that is injected into the body this is an excellent question to be asking. So let’s start by clearing the air here, and then talk about what you need to know when considering a Botox treatment.
First and foremost Botox is safe. The newly discovered substance is a cousin of Botox, within the botulinum toxin family but completely different from the Botox being used in esthetic facilities at this time. The new botulinum is NOT something your provider would be using and due to its potency and potential dangers will likely never even be obtainable by anyone but the government. (There are currently concerns about its use as a chemical warfare agent.)
So rest assured you are ok to move forward with your treatment of choice. Botox is a revolutionary drug that has the potential to do wonderful things and not just from a beauty and vanity standpoint. That said there are some things you need to be aware of when choosing to use Botox for cosmetic or therapeutic purposes.
The most important of which is not everyone who is licensed to inject Botox is skilled at the art of injecting Botox.
In the case of cosmetic treatments especially the injections truly are an art form. The chemical is such that it works by blocking the signal from nerve to muscle. Thus, you are not just getting one or a series of injections right into your forehead for instance. This would actually render it unable to move and therefore eliminate expression from your face. The injections have to be strategically placed to create a look and feel that is natural and enhances your features and beauty. Therefore they are sight specific, like in the example of near the eyes to work on crow’s feet, which typically require anything from 8-20 small injections on each side. Or the brow features as seen in the photo above. The scrunched brow has been specifically treated to relax the bridge of the nose very skillfully to give a smooth brushed look. Yes, it actually takes practice to accomplish this.
In today’s world of capitalism, many a so called licensed expert is adding Botox to their repertoire in an effort to take part in a growing and lucrative market. But not everyone has been trained in the methods of proper injection placement and crafting a face can be tricky. Not to mention Botox while safe is still a drug. It has side effects and problems that when injected by someone who is not a professional and licensed can be disastrous and even deadly.
The truth is that while the FDA has approved Botox Cosmetic for the treatment of wrinkles but does not regulate how it is used. This is not meant to scare you away, but cause you to take caution when you choose where to have your procedure done. In the right hands the side effects are mild to moderate and include things like light bruising at the injection site.
What you want to be sure of is that you are getting your treatments from a licensed and skilled physician in a medical facility where regulations rule and steps are always being taken to ensure patient safety. This means that what you may have heard about the chic and secretive Botox parties is probably just hype. You can take that risk but it is not recommended.
Always do your research! Always look into the person or clinic you are considering. Don’t just go to their website, go to the various medical associations and look for problems with previous clients and with their reputation. A skilled medical practitioner who is good at this type of procedure will be happy to answer questions for you about their training. So make sure to make an initial consultation appointment and ask.
Ultimately Botox really is a spectacular wonder drug that can turn back the clock on your face, and reduce wrinkles, even deep wrinkles. The longer it is used the better the effects because the body actually heals in wrinkles if they are not continuously being recreated. If the wave of the future is less wrinkles and better looking skin then we are all for it. Are you?
About The Author:
Dr. Alina Rabinovich, M.D. provides general neurology, wellness treatments, and rejuvenation at Midtown Neurology & Aesthetics in New York City. Dr. Rabinovich is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is a practicing attending Neurologist in the Division of Vascular Neurology at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn. She is active in clinical work, teaching, and clinical research and recently served as an attending Neurologist at the Multiple Sclerosis Center at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ. Dr. Rabinovich obtained her medical degree at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse and completed her Internal Medicine Internship training at New York Hospital of Queens and her Neurology Residency training at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, NY. She completed her Fellowship training in Multiple Sclerosis at UMDNJ in Newark, NJ. Dr. Rabinovich holds a professional membership with the American Academy of Neurology.
