How Safe Are Botox Treatments?

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Category: Health

Published on Monday, 02 March 2015 09:40

Written by Johnny Ward

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We can’t stop the clock, but thanks to the wonders of modern pharmaceuticals we can delay the aging process and look younger for longer. Botox injections are just one of a range of cosmetic skin treatments used by women and men all over the world to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face.

In the early days, Botox was primarily a treatment used behind closed doors by the rich and famous, but in recent years, Botox injections have become so popular and widely used that ordinary people routinely book treatments at Los Angeles Juvederm clinics.

How does Botox Work?

Botox is a neurotoxin that comes from a bacterium called Clostridium botulinium. This neurotoxin is extremely nasty in large doses and can cause a fatal form of food poisoning called botulism, but when injected into the face in small, diluted amounts, it has a wonderful effect. Botox works by blocking nerve signals and temporarily paralysing the facial muscles. This relaxes and softens fine lines and wrinkles.

How Effective Is Botox?

Botox has found to be very effective when used on forehead lines and crow’s feet around the eyes. Dynamic wrinkles that only appear when you smile or frown respond well to Botox injections, but permanent wrinkles caused by too much time in the sun or the natural aging process won’t disappear with a few Botox treatments. For this reason, Botox is more effective when used before wrinkles become too entrenched on the face.

Safety Considerations

Dermatologists have been using Botox for years and as long as you use a reputable Los Angeles Juvederm clinic such as Your Laser Skin Care, the likelihood of experiencing side effects is very low. A study published in the JAMA Dermatology journal found that less than 1% of people suffer problems after having Botox treatments. However, the study’s authors did point out that they only collected data from experienced doctors and clinics, so the risks associated with Botox are likely to be a lot higher if you use a less experienced doctor.

Common Side Effects

• Frozen face – It is not difficult to spot a celebrity who has gone too far with the Botox treatments. They usually have a permanent look of surprise on their face.
• Swelling and bruising – One of the most common side effects of Botox is pain and bruising at the injection site.
• Drooping eyelids and wonky eyebrows – If the injections are poorly placed, the Botox can spread into the wrong tissues and cause droops and cockeyed eyebrows. You will look very odd for a while. But the good news is that the effect will wear off after a few months.

Serious Side Effects

Although Botox is considered to be extremely safe, should the toxin spread to any other parts of your body, you are in big trouble. Warning signs of impending doom include vision problems, muscle weakness, breathing difficulties and problems swallowing or speaking. It is also unwise to have Botox when you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Always visit an experienced doctor for Botox injections, as they are qualified to determine whether Botox is the right treatment for you.