Botox. It’s the word on so many women-in-their-mid-thirties-and-above’s lips. Thanks to its promise of reducing dynamic lines and wrinkles, it’s become one one the most sought after non-surgical cosmetic treatments globally. But are anti-wrinkle injections safe?
Botched Botox
Botox is just one brand of botulinum toxin that is revered as a wonder treatment in the world of non-surgical aesthetics, and it’s clear to see why. Just look around you - women in their 40s looking for a more rested appearance, men wanting to get rid of those crinkly crow’s feet, your favourite celebrities - many are enamoured.
But we’ve also all heard the horror stories of botched Botox. We may even know someone who has experienced anti-wrinkle treatments gone wrong. Photos of ptosis, where eye brows or lids have drooped, or the Spock effect, where eyebrows have a constantly surprised look have cause a lot of people to worry they'll get the frozen look. So, how does this happen?
Botulinum toxin is a toxin! But it is safe in small doses
You hear the word toxin and you think 'scary', right! Well, botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin that comes from a type of bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. Used in large doses, it is lethal, and can lead to paralysis or even death. That’s not intended to scare you - just to give you a bit of vital information.
But when used in tiny doses, well, that’s where it can do great things. Think younger, smoother looking skin. And it's not only used for cosmetic purposes, either. It is used greatly within medicine to improve a vast range of issues - from excessive sweating to cervical dystonia and migraine relief.
Who is your injector?
What else should you consider when it comes to anti-wrinkle treatment safety? One of the most important factors is whether the practitioner performing the treatment is medically qualified. The fact that it has become such a popular - and more importantly, lucrative - treatment has been the driving factor for so many unqualified people offering the treatment in salons, basements, Botox parties, you name it. Though it's important to note that it is a prescription only medicine and should really only be done by medics.
This is particularly worrying as very often these ‘practitioners’ give their services cheap price tags, which can make them very appealing to customers. But what many clients don’t realise is that cheap Botox should be avoided. The old saying ‘you get what you pay’ for springs to mind here. And who wants a poor quality Botox job? After all, it’s on your face, which, let’s be honest, is quite hard to hide should it go wrong. The treatment costs should vary from £175 to £300 per area, depending on the experience of the practitioner, the location and various other factors. If it's much lower than this, it should raise a red flag!
Finding the right practitioner
So, what should you be looking for to ensure you find a practitioner who will provide a sterling wrinkle-relaxing treatment sans the worry of looking unrecognisable? Well, you should always be sure that the practitioner is medically qualified - and this is really important. They should know exactly where to inject to avoid devastating side effects, and how much to inject to avoid that unnatural, frozen look.
So, if your local beautician starts offering wrinkle relaxing overnight, this is probably not the best place to try it out. Understanding their qualifications, reading info about them and looking at ‘before and after’ photos showing their work are all worth doing before booking an appointment.
As with any treatment, there are always side effects that may affect certain people - and this is no different. But a good practitioner will ensure that you know about these before having your treatment during a thorough consultation. However, with an unqualified practitioner, these side effects could be devastating.
So, Botulinum toxin is safe - depending on who’s doing the injecting. If it’s a medically qualified practitioner, great! If it’s your local salon, next door neighbour or best friend’s sister, steer clear!
At Glowday, we only list medically qualified practitioners, so you can be confident you’ve made a great choice. Ready to get glowing? There are lots of ways to tackle lines and wrinkles, why not book a consultation today?
Botox is a registered trademark