Botulinum toxin (or Botox) is no longer a hush-hush experience, Sex and The City being the last TV show to make a big deal out of it. Birthday collective injections? Sure. A little eyebrow lift? Why not. A small tweak between the eyebrows for that frown? Sign me up.
Where & How
Botox is one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatments, it is considered to be a harmless method of reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It can also treat excessive sweating (armpit or other sweat gland injections), migraines, jaw grinding. Once introduced to your face (body) it basically works as an immediate action of blocking the nerve transmission to muscles, hence causing a temporary weakness.
It was first used by the doctors in the early 1980’s to treat muscular disorders of the eye, following the treatment it was noticed that it also reduced wrinkles around the eye area (luckily for us). Other fun fact: clostridium botulinum, the bacterium from which Botox is derived, is found in many natural settings, including soil, lakes, and forests.
Can I do it before hitting 30’s?
The great thing about botox is that it can temporary relax the areas of the face you are beating up with tension throughout the day without even noticing: the forehead and frown lines are the most common areas. If the lines are not deep yet, one clever injection can prevent early ageing, freeze that ‘number II’ for 3 - 6 months and who knows, maybe you can relearn not to frown in the long run.
We spoke to Kristine Azarjana, Doctor of Medicine and PhD and according to her expertise: “Botox makes sense to prick at an early age if genetically you have very active facial expressions, especially in the upper third of the face (for the prevention of wrinkles). Provided that this is done delicately in order to preserve the natural look.”
So what’s the big deal?
Bruising and swelling are possible side effects, and the result depends on your personal experience and how often you do it. Since this is a very popular cosmetic method, many spas and beauty centers offer this on the menu. Do your research before trusting your face to any practitioner, look for medical centers that offer consultations prior to any interventions and have a list of board-certified dermatologists or plastic surgeons.
Have you tried botox? Would you recommend diving into it before it’s too late?
by Masha Maria Nova