You already know that Botox® is a highly effective treatment for smoothing and softening facial wrinkles — but is it safe? The treatment is, after all, made from the same bacteria that causes botulism.
Yes, Botox® is a toxin, but the FDA has approved the cosmetic injectable as a safe and effective treatment for banishing moderate to severe crow’s feet, forehead furrows and frown lines between the eyebrows.
Is Botox® Safe to Inject?
Botox® is derived from a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. How then, is Botox® safe to inject?
To prepare the injectable treatment, the toxin is purified and diluted with saline, effectively watering it down to the point where it no longer poses any danger. In addition, only a minute amount is necessary to smooth and soften wrinkles — just enough to relax the targeted facial muscles.
As a result, the Botox® used as a cosmetic treatment is safe to inject.
What Should You Expect After Botox® Injections?
When Botox® is injected, the nerve transmission in the facial muscle is blocked. The muscle is no longer able to contract, so crow’s feet, eyebrow frown lines and forehead wrinkles appear softer and much less prominent.
The injection site may redden or swell slightly, but the residual effects are typically gone within a few hours. Bruising may also occur, but this is less likely when a skilled professional performs the treatment.
A few days after treatment, the cosmetic injectable takes effect, resulting in a smoother, more youthful facial appearance. In some cases, it can take up one or two weeks to see the full results.
What Are the Risks of Botox® Injections?
Botox® has an excellent safety record. When performed by an experienced cosmetic facial surgeon or trained and licensed nurse injector, treatment carries a very low risk of complications.
However, in the wrong hands, Botox® injections have the potential to cause harm. Without a technician with expert knowledge on the proper technique, this treatment can result in serious, botulism-like symptoms including vision problems, bladder control issues, muscle weakness and trouble breathing, speaking or swallowing.
For that reason, Botox® should only be administered in a medical setting by an experienced professional — not at a party, salon or someone’s home.
If you’re in northern Utah, the Beauty Now team, led by Dr. Steven Mobley at Mobley MD Facial Plastic Surgery, has extensive expertise with Botox® and can help you achieve a more youthful look with this cosmetic injectable.
Of course, no single cosmetic treatment is right for everyone, and results from Botox® injections can vary significantly among patients. To determine your best approach to diminish your facial wrinkles, visit Beauty Now for a professional evaluation.
Can cosmetic injectable treatments help to improve the appearance of your crow’s feet, forehead creases or frown lines? Contact Beauty Now in Salt Lake City, Utah, today to schedule your personal Botox® consultation.
NOTE: The information provided here is of a general nature and is not intended to substitute for personal advice from an experienced cosmetic surgeon, nurse injector or master aesthetician.