Fact or Fiction: Botox Myths

Botox® injections are among the most popular and safest cosmetic treatments. They are remarkably effective in softening certain facial lines and wrinkles—those caused by the contraction of expression muscles. Botox can make you look years younger by relaxing these expression muscles and allowing facial creases to smooth and recover. But even after years of successful use with millions of patients, many people are hesitant to consider Botox treatments because of some enduring myths.

What’s the truth behind these misconceptions? Let’s look at them one by one.

Myth 1: Botox is Toxic

Botox is indeed made from a toxin. The cosmetic injectable is a purified protein extracted from Botulinum toxin—the substance responsible for botulism food poisoning. This connection is probably at the root of this myth. But Botox is not the raw toxin that causes food poisoning. It’s a purified extract that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for medical and cosmetic use after extensive clinical testing. The dosage levels used in the treatment are a tiny fraction (less than one 100th) of the amount that might cause health problems. In almost 20 years of use as a cosmetic treatment, millions of patients have had Botox injections with safe and effective results.

Myth 2: Botox Treatments Will Give Me a Frozen, Expressionless Face

Botox works by relaxing facial expression muscles, giving the lines and creases in your skin a chance to smooth and recover. In a skilled practitioner’s hands, only selected expression muscles are targeted — the ones that cause forehead furrows, crow’s feet, or marionette lines, for example. Further, the amount of Botox administered is precisely calibrated to relax the muscles, not to freeze or paralyze them. The effect is to soften facial expressions, not to prevent them. And the great majority of the face’s muscles are left untreated, allowing you to display a wide range of facial expressions. You’ll look younger and more relaxed after Botox treatments, not expressionless.

Myth 3: Botox Injections are Painful

In fact, most patients experience only mild discomfort from Botox treatments. They often describe the sensation of each injection as a slight pinch or report that they hardly feel it at all. That’s because the needles used for the injections are very fine, and only a tiny amount of medication is injected. If this is a concern for you, your doctor can use a mild topical anesthetic to numb your skin before treatment.

Myth 4: Botox is Only Used to Treat Facial Lines and Wrinkles

Botox was approved for use in treating muscle spasms of the eyes long before its value as a cosmetic treatment was recognized. It is now approved as a treatment for excessive sweating, eyelid spasms, chronic migraines, overactive bladder, and other medical problems in addition to its use for facial rejuvenation. Botox has a long history as a safe and effective medical treatment. Its cosmetic uses have expanded, too. In addition to smoothing facial expression lines, Botox is used to lift the eyebrows, soften the jawline, and raise the corners of the mouth when they begin to droop.

Learn More About Botox and Other Cosmetic Treatments in Beverly Hills

For best results from Botox injections, you should receive treatment from a skilled medical practitioner, one with a deep understanding of facial musculature and aesthetics. Dr. David Kim and Dr. Eugene Kim at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery have developed an impeccable reputation for stunning, natural-looking cosmetic treatment and plastic surgery results, attracting patients from all over the world. Contact our practice today at (310) 746-5475 or send an online request to schedule a consultation.