If you have ever asked the question “Is Botox for Everyone?”, then this blog is for you. We’ll be discussing a few things that help you decide if Botox is the right option for you, and will cover some common misconceptions that may cause you to shy away from considering this treatment.
Botox is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the U.S., with more than 2 million injections performed each year, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). A neurotoxin that temporarily paralyzes muscle, Botox can be used to treat lines and wrinkles on your forehead, between your brows and around your eyes.
Read on to learn more about Is Botox For Everyone, Facts About Botox and Does Botox Make You Look Older After It Wears Off?
Botox injections are the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedures performed worldwide.1 Yet it doesn’t work for everybody. Botox injections are quick, low on the pain-and-suffering scale, relatively inexpensive (when compared to surgery), and require no downtime. All this, and results too.
As with any cosmetic procedure, there is a downside. Botox injections are not without risk, and the effects last only a short time (three to four months is the norm). But what if Botox simply doesn’t work for you? Some have had success with their first, second, and sometimes third treatments with Botox, only to reach a point where the effects are either greatly diminished or entirely absent. Others appear to be immune to the effects of Botox from the start.
What the Makers of Botox Say
Since the explosion of Botox use, researchers and healthcare providers are realizing that resistance to Botox can develop and, even that there may be some who are completely immune to its effects. According to a representative from Allergan, the company that makes Botox, “Occasionally some patients may develop an immune response to BOTOX/BOTOX Cosmetic that may reduce the effectiveness of treatment.”
They note that the protein complex in their product may stimulate neutralizing antibodies in some patients. Produced by the immune system, these antibodies inactivate Botox. Allergan notes that this happens more often in people who get frequent Botox injections or when used in higher doses, such as when treating cervical dystonia (although this is still a minor concern).
The packaging for Botox and Botox Cosmetic notes that this immune reaction is a risk. The label advises using the lowest effective dose and have as long between injections as feasible. To put it plainly, Botox resistance (immunity) does occur in some patients. According to those who do recognize the phenomenon of Botox resistance, the numbers are low—about 1% to 3% of patients who are injected will develop toxin-blocking antibodies.
These rates were seen in studles of patients were receiving Botox for cervical dystonia. Other studies of those receiving cosmetic botox had no reports of immune response.
Facts About Botox
If you’re contemplating Botox, here are some things to consider:
1. Botox doesn’t actually erase wrinkles
Since Botox is, of course, a treatment for wrinkles and fine lines, I initially figured a few injections would pull these unwanted imperfections right off my face.
But as it turns out, for most patients, Botox is more preventative than restorative. Its active ingredient “freezes” facial muscles to keep you from contracting them in ways that deepen lines and wrinkles.
“Any line that is present at rest, whether it is an etched in frown line, or a deep wrinkle, is not going to disappear with Botox. Botox is not an iron,” says medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatologist Dr. Estee Williams, MD.
Therefore, the earlier you get Botox, the more preventative its effects — hence the trend of getting Botox as early as your 20s.
2. It’s temporary (more temporary than I thought)
With my limited knowledge of Botox, I assumed its miraculous effects would last indefinitely. But this simply isn’t true.
“The average duration for Botox for glabella [the lines between the brows], forehead, and lateral crows’ feet is approximately three to four months,” says Dr. Williams. And there are certain factors that may make Botox fade faster.
“Patients who exercise a lot or who are very expressive may feel that the Botox lasts closer to three months,” she says.
3. It does hurt (for a little while, at least)
Not unlike my approach to my first childbirth, I arrived at my Botox appointment with a dim notion that it might be painful, and a needle would probably be involved.
But theoretical pain and real-life, needle-to-the-head pain are two very different things.
While experiences vary, I found the multiple injections to be significantly more intense than the “mosquito bite” pinprick I expected. Despite the ice pack applied to my head, I felt pain for at least half an hour after my injections.
I was also unprepared for the sound the syringe made as it plugged its contents into my skin: like crunching boots on snow or the signature crack of bending a glow stick. (Not a sound you normally want applied to your head.) Thankfully, however, this disturbing auditory aspect lasted just a few seconds.
4. There are certain things you can’t do afterward
I wasn’t planning to run a marathon on the Thursday afternoon after my dermatologist appointment, but I do wish I’d known that certain activities are not recommended immediately after Botox.
My doctor instructed that, for the next six hours, I was not to exercise, lie down, or take Ibuprofen (or any other blood-thinning medications), which could increase bruising at the injection sites.
Dr. Williams confirms these guidelines, and adds, “Immediately after your Botox injections, keep your head level and do not bend your head forward for two hours. No heavy exercise until the next day.”
5. It’s not just for celebrities
Judging from the flat foreheads of most Hollywood A-listers, Botox is a given among celebrities. While weighing the decision whether to get it myself, I tried casually bringing it up in conversation in my own social circle.
In doing so, I was surprised to learn how many of my friends and acquaintances had already had it. Apparently (at least in my age and financial bracket) it’s really not that uncommon.
Though Botox injections are certainly costly, they’re nowhere near the pricing realm of plastic surgery or even injectable fillers like Juvederm or Restylane.
At around $10 to $15 per unit, you can expect to pay between $200 and $300 for the 8 to 20 units of an average forehead treatment. I paid $260 for the injections to my forehead and between my brows. Expensive, yes, but not Oscars-red-carpet expensive.
6. Getting Botox is not a moral failing
Because of my previously held opinions about Botox, a part of me felt that to try it would mean selling out on my principles. Plus, as a deeply religious person, I’ve always subscribed to the belief that vanity is a sin.
But I’ve come to believe that the desire to look attractive (or at least not look angry) is natural and good. If I could prevent myself from frowning on my own power, I would do so! It doesn’t bother me to use a little medical help to get there.
7. Feeling ‘frozen’ can actually feel good
If there’s one thing everyone seems to fear about Botox, it’s looking like an expressionless robot. Isn’t it freaky not to be able to move certain parts of your face?
In my experience, no.
The inability to knit my brows together when my husband makes a snarky comment or my kids grind couscous into the carpet has actually been a kind of relief.
The faces we make carry emotional weight. You’ve probably heard that simply smiling more can make you feel happier — and it turns out that not frowning can have the same effect.
Does Botox Make You Look Older After It Wears Off?
Many people have realized by now that Botox and other neuromodulators can make them look younger. But what happens when Botox wears off? Will it cause you to look older?
From a medical point of view, once the effects of Botox wear off, your face will NOT look older. Actually the opposite happens with certainty.
Botox injections help you get rid of some of the unwanted wrinkles around the eyes, forehead, chin etc…. Once Botox wears off, wrinkles begin to reappear again and do not become worse after the treatment. However, since you have become used to smoother skin and a youthful appearance, it might come as a shock when the Botox wears off.
Botox relaxes the point where the nerves are attached to the muscles making the muscle enter a relaxed state for an extended period of time. After a few months, the body starts washing off the Botox and the nerve endings are able to stimulate the muscles again. The muscle will contract easily causing the wrinkles to slowly reappear again.
But the good news is, if you keep getting your Botox on schedule, the muscle will get weaker and weaker. Resulting in the need for less Botox in the future. Years of Botox use may mean you’ll need less and less for maintenance over time.