Millions of Botox procedures are performed each year, and for good reason. The treatment, which involves injections of a medication that temporarily paralyzes facial muscles, is designed to have you look as young as you feel — or at least more youthful. Whether you wish to prevent the desire for more extreme steps down the road, such as a surgical facelift, or just feel more comfortable and confident smiling or posing for photos, the treatment has a lot to offer.
Read on to learn more about the popularity of Botox, including reasons you might want to start benefiting from it yourself.
Unlike cosmetic procedures that require long appointments, surgery, or extensive downtime for recovery, Botox injections take mere minutes. You can literally have your treatment during a lunch break and still have time to grab lunch before heading back to work. And because it uses tiny needles, many people find the quick pinching sensation very tolerable. If you don’t, you can request ice or a topical numbing cream beforehand.
Botox used to have a reputation for helping middle-aged and older people appear younger by minimizing fine lines and creases. While this is a significant benefit for many in the older crowd, now younger people are turning to the treatment to keep fine lines from deepening in the first place. The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reported that 64% of plastic surgeons saw an increase in people under age 30 seeking cosmetic surgery or injectables like Botox in 2015 alone.
.
Botox paralyzes muscles in treatment areas temporarily, or around three months on average. This means that you don't have to worry about making a decision you regret and can’t go back on. You can ease in with a very modest number of injections if you’re concerned about whether you’ll like the results, and can always come back for more later, if you wish. And if you end up wishing you'd gone with more or less with your first treatment, your doctor can adjust your next round of treatment accordingly.
One of the biggest reasons Botox remains so popular and continues to gain steam is its effectiveness. Numerous studies have confirmed its effectiveness for reducing facial lines such as crow’s feet and frown lines. These benefits may even increase as you have more treatments. A study published JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery in 2015 showed that Botox can actually help heal skin affected by aging or UV rays by reducing inflammation and increasing elasticity.
Botox contains a toxin, which can sound a bit daunting, but many doctors agree that any risks are extremely minimal. When side effects occur, they tend to be mild and temporary. You might experience pain or swelling at the injection sites for a few hours, for example. Some people experience headaches or fatigue. But overall, Botox is considered safe for use in adults, when injected by a trained and qualified professional. That’s one reason it’s been FDA-approved for cosmetic use since 2002.
To learn more about Botox or book an appointment, call our office or use the easy scheduling tool here on our website.
