A Rant Relating to Sydney Botulinum Injections
Sydney Botulinum injections (Botox for short) has become established in Sydney society in fact it is fast becoming a grooming must for many people in the city. But I never cease to be startled by the variety of half truths which surround this treatment.
Here I have included some of the popular stories that we hear everyday at Star Cosmetic Medicine, where I work as a physician.
Mistake no. 1: The muscles in my face might stiffen up!
Research has discovered there are sixty or so muscles beneath the skin of your face. Their repeated use may result in line formation. Too many injections of Botulinum Toxin can result in the facial muscles appearing slightly less taut. Generally doctors use relatively small quantities to will result in you looking refreshed, yet you will maintain your facial expression.
So a carefully measured quantity of Botox in the appropriate site means one can accomplish a reduction in the fine lines and wrinkles without reducing facial expression.
Mistake no. 2: Botulinum is poisonous!
This to a small extent is correct. Botulinum Toxin Type A is the correct pharmaceutical terminology. In large quantities it may end up in loss of muscle tone and can even cause illness.
Chemists have an old expression that states ‘everything is a poison - all depending on the dose’. A large amount of any medicinal drug may cause sickness. Water can kill you if you drink too much.
Mistake no. 3: Botox will hurt!
In our practice Star Cosmetic Medicine the physician will use hypodermic needles smaller than a human hair. A lot of patients state that the treatments are not as sore as getting bitten by mosquitoes. It is unquestionably less traumatic than something like a blood profile.
Mistake no. 4: My face will be numb!
Totally untrue. Botulinum medicine works on the neuromuscular junction, not sensate nerves. Botox only affects the ability to relax muscular tissues.
Mistake no. 5. Once you begin Botox you have to keep getting it or else you will have worse wrinkles than earlier!
Again this is just incorrect.
B.tox is believed to be effective for up to 3 months. Subsequent treatments tend to last a little longer. Gradually as muscle strength returns to normal the lines will eventually reform. But they will certainly be no more pronounced than before.
In fact the lines should be be softer than if you had never undergone Botox - even should you don’t continue the treatment. This is obviously due to the fact your facial muscles and skin have had a ‘wrinkle holiday’ whilst the Botox was working.
