Busting Botox Myths

Hello, Warriors! Welcome to The Breast Place blog and thank you for taking time out of your active schedule to visit! We appreciate our readers to the utmost degree, as we do our patients. Hopefully, you’re taking advantage of the current climate and enjoying our lovely city in autumn. If this is your first visit to The Breast Place blog, we cover a range of topics here. From breast cancer management to anti-aging skin treatments to helpful tips for maximizing your overall health and wellness—The Breast Place is committed to sharing the best health practices and treatment options with you! Our offices are open and our staff are prepared to answer any questions you may have about your health, your breast cancer risk, and how to reach your aesthetic goals. 

Before we dive too deeply into today’s topic, we’d like to make you aware of a few promotions available at The Breast Place this holiday season. We know you’re currently on the hunt for the best gifts for your friends and family. Well, The Breast Place is here to help! This December, we’re premiering a reimagined BOGO sale. Buy one, gift one. You can schedule a discounted Secret RF or Laser Genesis treatment session for yourself and a loved one after Black Friday. Keep a close eye on our social media for more information on our BOGO sale! End this year with a treat and start off the new year right at The Breast Place!

Our last article was dedicated to understanding how Laser Genesis with Cutera’s excel® V+ utilizes two wavelengths to treat rosacea, hyperpigmentation, broken blood vessels, sunspots, and more. Truthfully, excel® V+ can be used for any skin ailment which contains the pigments red, brown, blue or purple, which leaves a laundry list of skin concerns susceptible to Cutera’s advanced technology. We explained just how this technology works before delving into a few commonly asked questions concerning excel® V+. Is it safe? How many treatments do you need to see results? How long do results last? Is it painful? Are there any side effects? We covered everything you could possibly need to know about excel® V+ to make the most informed decision before booking your first appointment. You can read our last article here. If you have any questions or concerns about the treatment, let us know! We’re always more than happy to discuss treatments in-depth with those interested!

Today, we’re busting a few Botox myths! Botox, among other neuromodulators, is a highly effective substance. Beyond just its cosmetic usage, Botox is the key to numerous life-sustaining medical treatments. This article is dedicated to illuminating many purposes of Botox, demystifying the composition of Botox, and clarifying any misconceptions about the safety and efficacy of Botox. Even if you’ve been receiving Botox injections for years, there may be a few facts mentioned here you didn’t know! Without further ado, let’s bust these Botox myths!

Myth: Botox only works if you don’t have any wrinkles yet. 

As each year passes, more and more young people are using Botox (or its light-handed application, affectionately known as “Baby Botox'') as a preventative measure to ward off the formation of wrinkles. In this capacity, Botox is highly effective. While expressiveness is the hallmark of great actors, it’s also one of the top contributors to the premature formation of wrinkles. Why? Because wrinkles are formed by the repeated folding of the skin. As we age and our collagen stores are depleted, our skin fails to smooth out as it once did. Like paper, we’re able to see where all of the folds have been. Now, there are two types of wrinkles. The first are dynamic wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles appear whenever we make an expression. When we smile, laugh, cry, yawn—these wrinkles make an appearance. What Botox does is relax the muscles causing these wrinkles to form, thereby eliminating them. The second type of wrinkles are static wrinkles. Static wrinkles are present even when the face is at rest. When we smile, laugh, cry, or yawn, these wrinkles can become more pronounced, but they’re always there. Botox can significantly reduce the appearance of static wrinkles. However, it’s recommended that static wrinkles be treated with a combination of Botox and dermal fillers. 

Myth: Botox never leaves your body. 

If Botox never left your body, you wouldn’t need to undergo another treatment session every four to six months. The truth is, Botox is metabolized by the body over time. Which means from the moment the substance is injected into the targeted muscles until the moment the substance is finally flushed by your body’s drainage system, you are actively breaking down the active components of the Botox. 

Myth: Botox is totally toxic and bad for you. 

Botox is actually a purified form of botulinum toxin type A. This toxin is produced by bacteria and, in incredibly large quantities, is indeed toxic. However, the amount needed to cause harm to a human being far exceeds the amount used by medical professionals for cosmetic purposes. By quite a lot, in fact. Botox was approved for cosmetic use by the FDA in 2002, but had been used decades before to fix eye disorders (such as uncontrollable blinking and crossed eyes). Of course, when having Botox injected you should seek to have the treatment performed by a certified dermatologist or experienced medical professional. As well, you should hold off on Botox if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. 

Myth: Botox will make your face look stiff. You won’t be able to smile anymore. 

This is absolutely not true! Unfortunately, this myth prevents many people from pursuing Botox treatment, as no one wants to look like a statue. The truth is, if you seek treatment from a licensed medical professional with a proven track record of successful Botox injections, you should be pretty happy with your results. Many people who end up with the “frozen” look requested sizable injections. If you’re not interested in large portions of your face becoming immobile, sticking to smaller amounts of Botox is the simplest way to achieve your desired look. A skilled injector will know just how much Botox to apply, as well as just where to apply it, to halt your wrinkles in their tracks while maintaining freedom of facial expression. If you’re really worried, opt for “Baby Botox,” a form of Botox injection known for its miniscule amounts. 

Myth: When you stop using Botox, you’ll age faster. 

This myth is based entirely on fiction. There is no “catch-up” after you discontinue Botox, whether you’ve been receiving injections for a year or twenty years. While Botox can be used to prevent the formation of wrinkles, its discontinuation does not correlate to any sudden recurrence of those wrinkles you happened to successfully avoid. Rather, you’ll continue to age at the same rate you always would have. Now, for those who have been using Botox since they were quite young (i.e. twenties) and are now in their late fifties and early sixties, the skin on top of those muscles which were consistently paralyzed has probably thinned. All of us experience some amount of skin thinning as we age. Thin skin is more susceptible to the sun and, thus, needs to be protected. A comprehensive daily skincare regimen, including broad spectrum sunscreen and adequate moisture, should be sufficient to keep the skin from aging rapidly. 

Myth: Only people who hate the way they look have Botox done. 

This myth is based on a misconception concerning the purpose of aesthetic care and its benefits. People who undergo Botox are no more predisposed to feelings of inadequacy or insecurity than anyone else. However, according to scientific study, those who undergo Botox (and similar cosmetic procedures) are predisposed to heightened levels of self-esteem, confidence, and happiness. This isn’t to say cosmetic procedures are the only path towards a better self-image. Rather, it’s to say: Cosmetic procedures can and do play a vital role in affecting positive psychological change within patients. And, as far as we can see, there’s no shame in that. 

Here at The Breast Place we’re dedicated to helping women feel their best! Botox is a quick and easy way to smooth unwanted wrinkles in the forehead and around the eyes. Lasting about 4-6 months, Botox relaxes the injected muscle to smooth out the wrinkle caused by that muscle. Botox can be used in conjunction with both Laser Genesis and SecretRF microneedling (if done correctly) to prolong the life of the treatments! To learn more about any of our services, contact us today! We hope you’ve enjoyed this myth-busting article. If so, please return to The Breast Place blog for more educational articles! Until then, thank you for reading!