Essential Information about Botulinum Toxin

08.16.09 |

Sydney Botulinum injections (BoTox for short) has become a must amongst Sydney’s fashionable set and now it has become an essential part of a beauty routine for those in the city. Nevertheless I never fail to be astonished when I hear the ridiculous misinformation in connection with the procedure. Below are a selection of the more falsehoods that I encounter working as a doctor at Star Cosmetic Medicine located in Pyrmont, Sydney.

Misconception Number 1: The muscles in my forehead might stiffen up!

There are sixty or so muscles in the human face. Their relentless use over time may cause wrinkle formation. The overuse of Botulinum Toxin can result in the forehead becoming too relaxed. The dosage injected by almost all doctors make you appear ‘refreshed’, but still you will of course keep your facial expression.

Therefore a carefully measured quantity of BoTox in the proper site means you can get a reduction in any fine lines and wrinkles without compromising facial expression.

Misconception Number 2: BoTox is poisonous!
There is a grain of truth in this. Its pharmaceutical name is Botulinum Toxin Type A. An overdose can result in loss of muscle tone and even may cause illness.

Pharmacists have an old saying ‘everything is a poison - all depending on the dose’. All medications might make you really ill in large doses. If you drink too great a quantity of water it will kill you.

Misconception Number 3: BoTox hurts!
Your hair is thicker than the needles we use at Star Cosmetic Medicine. Quite a few patients have said that the injections aren’t worse than bug bites. It is definitely not as painful as something like a vaccination.

Misconception Number 4: BoTox will numb my face!
Completely false. BoTox affects the neuromuscular junction, and not on sensate nerves. Only the ability to relax your muscles is affected by BoTox.

Misconception Number 5. You need to keep getting BoTox or else you will develop worse fine lines and wrinkles than ever!
Once Again this is just wrong.

A set of injections is effective for around three months. Any further treatments after the first visit commonly last a few weeks longer. The wrinkles will eventually reappear as the muscle returns to normal. But they will certainly be no deeper than previously.

As A Matter Of Fact any lines will more often than not be softer than if you had never undergone BoTox treatment - even should you never repeat the injections. Mainly because your skin has had a ‘wrinkle holiday’ for a few months.