8 Things You Need To Know About Botox

As the costs have reduced, Botox is becoming more commonplace with more women (and men), opting to have this procedure performed to get rid of wrinkles and lines.

It is also a treatment that is performed on more younger women than ever before. Before you rush out to join them though, consider if it really is right for you. Here’s what you should know:

1. What is it?

Botox is a prescription medication injected into muscles to reduce the appearance of moderate to severe lines such as surprise and frown lines on the forehead, crow’s feet around the eyes and turkey neck lines on the throat.

It is derived from the botulinim toxin which was first researched and used in the late 1960s to treat neurological disorders like uncontrollable blinking and crossed eyes. However, doctors noticed it had an unexpected side-effect as it softened frown lines between the eyebrows.

2. Where can you get it?

In Australia, Botox is a prescription-only drug. Although the procedure of injecting Botox is often carried out by people who aren’t medical professionals, this can only happen by non-doctors getting prescriptions from doctors, or beauty clinics having a doctor on staff.

3. What are the risks?

Side effects associated with the Botox injection include localised pain, infection, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, skin tightness, headache, muscle weakness, redness and/or bleeding and bruising.

Rare complications can arise when the toxin’s effects spread from the injection site, causing issues with swallowing, speaking or breathing due to weakening of the muscles associated with these functions.

4. Does it hurt?

Discomfort is often minimal and brief. Prior to injection, you can ask for the area to be numbed with anaesthetic cream or a cold pack. The pain has been described as being similar to an ant bite and lasting just a few seconds.

Next Page: Is it Costly?