Many people use Botox® to eliminate or reduce facial wrinkles. Like any medical treatment, using Botox® has risks, and a responsible doctor will discuss these risks with a patient before embarking on a course of Botox® injections. If you are thinking about using Botox®, you should also take the time to find a qualified plastic surgeon to perform the procedure, and you should be prepared to pay around $400 US Dollars (USD) for the injections. If you see Botox® procedures advertised for much less, they may be counterfeit or not offered by a qualified doctor, and that could be dangerous.
Botox® is a toxin derived from Botulinum bacteria. In large doses, this toxin causes botulism, a very serious medical condition. In small doses, however, the toxin simply weakens muscles, which is how it resolves facial wrinkles; Botox® weakens the muscles of the face so that they cannot wrinkle. Botox® is also used to treat spasms of the vocal chords and headaches.
Some common side effects from using Botox® include headaches, nausea, flu-like symptoms, respiratory infections, and drooping eyelids. These symptoms usually resolve relatively quickly, although a drooping eyelid can persist for several weeks. You may also experience some pain around the injection site for several hours. Some people have also been known to have adverse reactions to the toxin, which is why it is important to see a qualified doctor, since he or she can deal with allergic reactions quickly.
The use of Botox® is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, or people with nervous system conditions. In addition, some medications can conflict with Botox®. You should always disclose any medications and medical conditions to a doctor so that he or she can decide whether or not using Botox® is safe for you. In addition, the substance should not be injected into infected areas of skin.
The biggest risk of using Botox® is receiving improperly administered injections or counterfeit Botox®. Because the treatment has become very popular, unscrupulous individuals without medical qualifications have attempted to cash in, and these individuals are not familiar with the correct dosage and technique. They may also have difficulty obtaining medical grade Botox®, in which case they may inject counterfeit or unknown substances into their customers. It is very important to ensure that your cosmetic surgeon is fully licensed to practice in his or her state; state medical boards make this information readily available to the public.
