“Is Botox safe for me?” This is a common question among people seeking to have plastic surgery procedures performed. Botox is a medication injected directly into muscles to temporarily paralyze them. The advantage of having this done is that the patient will not have any major side effects, however, there are potential risks associated with the use of Botox.
The FDA says yes, although it is important to note that there are currently no studies that specifically address the question of “Is Botox safe?”. Some experts believe that using Botox can be dangerous because the botulinum toxin can be absorbed through the skin. Also, botox can affect the eyes, which can lead to irritation and other types of problems. However, it is important to note that Botox is only one of the many cosmetic treatments available today. Other options include wrinkle fillers, injectable fillers, face lifts, muscle relaxation tools, body relaxers, muscle stimulation and laser surgery.
Before a practitioner adds any type of botulinum toxin to your body, they do some basic research first. Generally speaking, it is safe to administer botox if the practitioner is fully trained and has been doing the procedure for a few years. Before administering any type of pharmaceutical product, the practitioner must receive specialized training and they need to ensure their patients are properly monitored and educated about any potential side effects. Producers and suppliers of botulinum toxin generally require pre-authorization before administering any type of product to ensure the product is safe.
There are different doses depending on the muscle groups that will be affected and whether or not the patient needs to take the product every day, weekly, monthly, etc. Generally speaking, injections are performed on an outpatient basis where the patient will stay in the hospital for observation. One reason why the dosage is limited is to prevent the build up of bacteria in the treated muscles. Once the Botox is injected into the muscles, the paralysis caused by the toxin dissipates quickly allowing the affected muscles to resume normal functions. In the case of the elderly, doctors generally restrict the number of Botox treatments given because they have weaker muscles and it takes longer to notice the benefits.
The biggest concern doctors have been botox can lead to severe side effects. One such side effect is a temporary loss of muscle coordination. Because of this, the person may find it difficult to perform even the simplest of tasks. This does not necessarily mean the person will have difficulty walking, but in some cases, patients have difficulty with simple activities like grooming their hair and eating. This is why it is important to note that if you plan to undergo Botox treatment you need to inform your primary physician or dermatologist about your plans so they can write a prescription for you. Failure to disclose could result in severe side effects.
Other concerns of the Cosmetic surgeon as to whether or not botox is safe comes from the possibility of injecting the toxin below the skin. Although injections are usually performed above the muscles in the face, the dermis is a subcutaneous organ itself so botox cannot be injected into it directly. Dr. Engelman explains that a very small amount of Botox gets injected below the surface of the skin to temporarily paralyze facial muscles during photoaging. As you can see both sides of this issue are possible but you should always discuss these concerns with your cosmetic surgeon before getting Botox.
