Botox is derived from the word “botulous” which means sausage. This is a toxin that naturally occurs in meat. However, a purified form of the toxin, if used in recommended doses can help paralyze muscles for a short duration providing effective cure from diseases like migraines, excessive sweating, muscular, bladder and bowel disorders. The fascination for Botox skyrocketed when it was used to fill out wrinkles, a common concern in older plastic surgery botox.
Wrinkles are creases in the dry skin generally indicative of old age. Botox helped in blocking neurotransmitters, i.e – the nerve signals to certain muscles would be blocked resulting in relaxation of those muscles. When the muscles relax, the lines disappear and giving the person a smooth and clear skin, making them look younger. Once injected Botox is effective for about four to six months and the effect starts waning. A person would require about 3 to 4 sessions every year to maintain a constant wrinkle-free appearance. Initially used by actors and public figures to look younger, its availability to everyone has resulted in millions of men and women adopt it.
The Botox Procedure
A plastic surgeon usually conducts these surgeries in his/her office. Tiny amounts of the toxin Botulinum toxin is injected in that part of the face as desired by the client. A typical session can cater to four or five areas – most common requests are made for wrinkles around the forehead and eyes. Pain and swelling at the sites of the injection, headache, dry eyes or excessive tearing, cocked eyebrows are all common side effects right after the treatment and will go away on its own. The effect of the treatment will begin to show in a day or two. Very rarely the toxin could spread to the other parts of the body resulting in issues with vision and speech, lack of bladder control and breathing issues. Botox is very safe if the treatment is done with specialized doctors using certified and FDA approved products and procedures. The only Botox procedures that have been approved by FDA so are for Crow’s feet, and frown lines.
The cost of the procedure is based on the number of units of Botox used and the number of areas treated. A frown line might use about 5 units of Botox and the forehead treatment could use up to 20 units. The cost will also vary depending on the doctor and where you get the treatment – mall, spa or in a specialized clinic or hospital. According to a society of plastic surgeons, the average cost of Botox as for 2019 is around $397.
Preventive Botox is the newest trend
Introduced in 2002, Botox has been the answer for millions of men and women who have wanted to temporarily alter their appearance. Notwithstanding the pain, frequency, regularity, and cost, many people opt for Botox treatments. It is also noteworthy than younger people in their twenties are increasingly opting for Botox and according to the American Society of Plastic surgeons, there has been a 28 percent increase in the last decade among this age group. The study of this group has also shown that they would rather prevent a wrinkle than smoothen it.
The first sign of wrinkles begins to show around the forehead in your mid 20s. Regular and early application of Botox could reduce and prolong or postpone the appearance of wrinkles. This possibility has triggered a new wave of young men and women in their 20s to opt for this procedure. Whereas there is the psychological aspect where doctors strongly argue that this strong wave is the result of the huge pressure that this group faces to looking young. A fixation like this can affect their mental health. Botox is safe, however, long term and prolonged use of Botox for 20 or 30 years, doctors argue, is counterproductive and can, in fact, advance aging. Many leading plastic surgeons believe that repeated use of any toxin much before the wrinkles naturally appear, can lead to thinning of the muscle and the skin giving one an aged look much before time.
It has to be borne constantly that Botox treatments are temporary and preventive or otherwise, the wrinkles reappear once the effect of the toxin goes away. Hence preventive Botox might be more of a misnomer.
While Botox treatments for Crow’s feet and frown lines are FDA approved and hence covered by insurance, preventive Botox is considered off the label and will not be covered by insurance. The frequent and cumulative long term costs could be pretty high.
Conclusion
Although it is finally left to the individual’s choice as to when they would like to start using Botox. However, experts believe that more natural ways of maintaining good health – robust exercising, healthy diet and abstaining from smoking and maintaining a positive attitude are highly accomplishable in the 20s and one should look at procedures like Botox as they grow older and when wrinkles become more prominent.