Botox is among the most popular plastic surgery treatments in the United States. People turn to Botox when they want to prevent the aging process, when they want to lessen the appearance of wrinkles and tighten their skin, and even for medical concerns, such as alleviating the symptoms of migraines, as well as helping with excessive sweating, teeth grinding, and more. Is Botox bad for you, though?
In spite of all its merits, there are plenty of reasons why people are cautious about Botox, from concerns about whether or not it’s poisonous to worries about how it can end up accelerating the aging process further down the line. The worries about the potential side effects outweighing the known benefits cause many people to look on it with disdain and fear what it can do to you.
Here’s what you need to know about Botox, its potential side effects, and whether or not it really is bad for you.
Is Botox Bad For You?
Botox is generally considered to be quite safe. It’s used very liberally by doctors because it is an effective treatment method for a wide range of concerns, from the cosmetic to the medical. Like everything, this injectable comes with potential risks and side effects, which is why people think Botox is bad for you.
The fact of the matter is that in general, Botox is relatively harmless. It’s important to be aware of the potential risks and side effects, of course, but it is FDA approved for the treatment of facial wrinkles. It is also used in the treatment of many different conditions, such as migraines, excessive sweating, overactive bladders, and more.
Botox is quite safe. There are cases of serious adverse reactions to it, however, this is true of virtually every medication and treatment out there. Of the tens of millions of people who have been treated with Botox, studies have shown that complications are rare. So could Botox be bad for you? Of course it could, as could anything. But is it something you need to worry excessively about? Probably not.
Your doctor will go over all the potential risks and side effects with you. So long as you see a qualified doctor and follow their recommendations, you can rest assured that this treatment is generally safe.
Why Do People Think That Botox Is Bad?
People tend to think that Botox is bad for you because it is a purified version of a toxin that is produced by the microbe that causes botulism, which is a type of food poisoning. You see how this can cause people to fear that getting this treatment will end up poisoning them. Nowadays, it can be made with a variety of different toxins which can differ from dosage unit to dosage unit. It certainly sounds scary to hear that Botox is a neurotoxin, however, as long as it is made and administered by licensed professionals, you can rest assured that it is safe.
People also fear that it can accelerate your aging process once you cease treatments, however, this is not true. Your body won’t speed it up to make up for last time. It will simply start to age again at a normal rate. This is why people who have had Botox done for years and then stop still look younger than other people their age.
The Importance Of Seeing A Professional
It’s crucial that you see licensed professionals for this treatment. Done wrong, it can indeed cause botulism-like symptoms, such as trouble breathing, issues controlling your bladder, muscle weakness, and more. Botox is not something you want to skimp on and seek out a bargain deal for. When administered by a licensed professional, you’re likely safe, but if it is administered incorrectly, that can be very problematic.
You wouldn’t see just anyone for a surgery, would you? You want to ensure that your surgeon has gone through all the appropriate training and knows exactly what they’re doing. Just think of all the problems that could result if your surgeon had never gone to medical school, or if you saw just anyone for that toothache! The same is true of Botox. You shouldn’t go to just anyone. You want to go to someone who is licensed and knows what they’re doing.
Everything has the potential to go wrong, especially when it comes to your body. However, when you see someone who is licensed and knows what they’re doing, more likely than not, you’re in good hands and can rest assured that they’ll keep you safe and do their job properly.
Potential Risks And Side Effects Of Botox
When administered by a qualified doctor, this treatment is generally very safe. However, everything has risks and potential side effects. Some of the potential risks and side effects include:
- Pain, bruising, and/or swelling where it was injected
- Flu-like symptoms
- Headaches
- Eye dryness
- Excessive tearing
- Crooked smile
- Drooling
- Droopy eyelids
- Cockeyed eyebrows
The following are symptoms that you should contact your doctor right away about. Although it is highly unlikely, there still is the potential for the toxin to spread throughout the body, which can result in side effects such as:
- Breathing problems
- Vision problems
- Trouble speaking
- Difficulty swallowing
- Loss of bladder control
- Muscle weakness
Why People Get Botox
People typically get this treatment done for anti-aging purposes, but it can help with a variety of medical conditions too. Some of the reasons why people get this injection include:
- Reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, such as crow’s feet, frown lines, and forehead creases
- Eye twitching
- Chronic migraines
- Overactive bladders
- Lazy eyes
- Neck spasms
- Excessive sweating
- Neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy
Are You Considering Botox?
Regeneration Health Medical Spa is qualified to administer Botox treatments. There is always the risk of side effects and complications with any type of procedure, but we wouldn’t offer Botox if it wasn’t generally very safe. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and learn more about Botox.