5 Myths About Botox® Injections

Over 2.8 million Botox® procedures are done yearly with no reported significant side effects.

Botox® pioneers, Drs. Caruthers, the husband and wife team from Canada have used Botox® for treatment of facial lines since 1987. In July 2004, at a meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, they demonstrated that no long-term side effects were seen with repeated Botox® injections, even among patients who were injected 30 times over a nine-year period.

Botox® is even effective for many other medical disorders such as migraine headaches, back pain, spastic limbs due to stroke, cerebral palsy, writer's cramp, tic disorders, hand tremors, vocal cord disorders, and excessive underarm sweating. It is still currently under study for many other medical indications.

The muscles of the face have a harmonious balance, and if too much Botox® is injected one could easily lose the action of facial muscles. Botox® maintains this balance by only being injected in small doses into specific muscles, which results in a natural softening of unwanted lines and wrinkles.

For cosmetic use, the typical patient receives an average of 20-70 units of Botox® per treatment. Over time, your body naturally eliminates the administered Botox®. This is why the effects of Botox® are temporary. As with every medication, excessive amounts can be dangerous. The lethal dose of Botox® is 2800 units, 100 times the average dose given for the treatment of lines and wrinkles.

A Botox® treatment involves a few tiny injections that require no anesthesia. Talk to your doctor about these fears, as she/he can alleviate your concerns through proper education.

If a Botox® treatment is administered properly, the risk of suffering from droopy eyelids is lower than 2%. As with any potential side effect, the condition is temporary and should resolve within a few weeks. Choose an experienced medical professional for your Botox® treatment to lower all risks of side effects.