10 Effects of Getting Botox (Pros and Cons)

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Botox is a drug prepared from Botulin which is one of the most poisonous naturally occurring substances on earth and the most toxic protein. However this does not reduce its viability in medical science. Botox is the trademark under which Botulinum toxin is commercially sold worldwide by Allergan. The drug first came in use for medical treatments in 1980 to treat ‘uncontrollable blinking’ and ‘crossed eyes’ and is now best known for its use for a series of cosmetic treatments. However it also has vast utility in treatment of several severe and mild diseases. Effect of Botox is positive if only the prescribed dosage is taken under expert guidelines and can last up to 12 months. Chances of side effects are now much less as proper evaluation and technique helps an experienced injector avoid it and most of these effects last no longer than 4 months. However some severe side effects may occur from improper, over or non-required usage.

Below is a list of ten strongest effects Botox can have on takers:

10.    Asymmetry around the mouth

Asymmetry around mouth

Botox is a successfully used cosmetic treatment as long as it is used from the eyes up. Complications are likely to arise from Botox injections given near the mouth with a possibility of hampering your smile. This happens because Botox paralyzes the muscles and muscles paralyzed near mouth can avoid the natural curves formed while smiling. The longevity of the effect varies with the actual amount of Botox taken but usually it is between three to six weeks.

9.      Facial Paralysis

Another possibility from Botox usage in areas below your eyes is temporary facial paralysis. A chance of a permanent paralysis is very rare and almost negligible in case of cosmetic treatments using Botox. Permanent paralysis is however something that Botox may cause. Since Botox works by paralyzing the muscles that repeatedly contract and cause the wrinkles, sometimes the effect is stronger and can leave the cheek muscles rigid and paralyzed. However such effect is in most cases for a short span of time and the face is back to normal and wrinkle free once the effect wears off.

8.      Bladder Control

Botox has certain efficient solutions for issues such as bladder incontinence. For those having an over-reactive bladder has a good reason for injecting Botox in their bladder which increases it in its volume and thus reducing incontinence. However Botox as a measure for Bladder control is lesser known and used as its effect does not last long enough in small doses and larger doses of Botox may result in other side effects.

7.      Droopy eyelids or eyebrows

A droopy eyelid results from unwanted relaxation of the levator muscle. The brow droop results from over-relaxation of the frontalis muscle. This muscle creates the horizontal forehead creases. A person can be affected by either of the two when treated with Botox. Again like most Botox side effects these also last roughly for two months or so and gets back to normal after that. Attempts to treat these with further drugs and especially further Botox may worsen the situation and make it last longer with some other side effects. In fact over dose of Botox is a common cause of droopy eyelids or eyebrows.

6.      Weaker Muscles

A not immediately seen or felt but existent side effect of using Botox is that it might lead to unnatural or before time aging of muscles. It is recommended to use Botox only when it is absolutely necessary and not before as it works by temporary paralyzing the muscles and blocking its communications from the nerves thus making the muscles weak, fragile and more prone to old age signs and further wrinkles since it is then not able to contract on its own. Using Botox at an early age can make the face lose its natural grace while aging thus making Botox a necessary requirement to hide wrinkles in later ages.

5.      Nausea

Nausea and extreme fatigues are another possibility of Botox which usually accompanies some sort of pain. Many patients being treated with Botox, especially those treated for reasons other than cosmetics complain of extreme nausea and fatigue and excessive heart beat rate. Nausea can again be an effect of heavy dose of Botox or unrequired usage. Also nausea and fatigue may further result in panic attacks and anxiety and using more Botox to treat the side effects of Botox itself is highly non recommendable.

4.      Headaches or Migraine

Headache is a common trouble after taking Botox. Many patients suffer from strong headache after Botox doses that can last from a few hours to several weeks. It is one of the most common side effects of Botox and triggers nausea, anxiety, brain fog and memory issues. It is associated with the use of Botox itself irrespective of where the injections have been put. However the same Botox is also used as a treatment for chronic migraine in adult patients. The patients treated with Botox for Migraine have reported a decrease in the frequency of aches. However the treatment is very rigorous requiring several injections in different parts of head and face in various sittings and can have some other side effects.

3. Bruising, Bleeding, Pain, Redness, or Swelling

Bruising and redness in the spot where injection is given is the most common side effect of Botox and is not particularly severe. The potential for bruising and swelling can be reduced by refraining from taking all aspirin, fish oils and ibuprofen at least two weeks prior to the injection. Taking Arnica or eating pineapples are suggestive before the injection as it contains bromelian which is a natural inflammatory agent. Another effective way of ensuring minimal bruising is getting injected by the best injector one can afford to avoid any serious post-treatment side effects.

2.Treatment of Crossed Eyes, Blurred vision and Eyelid Spasms

While the cosmetic treatment of Botox is well known, it is also successfully used for treatment of Crossed Eyes (Strabismus)- a condition where the eyes do not point in the same direction, Blurred vision (Diplopia) and Eyelid Spasms (Blepharospasm). These are the first few diseases which were treated with the introduction of Botox as a medicated drug. Botox works by blocking the signals between the eye muscles and the nerves so the muscles relaxes and don’t work against each other which helps the other eye muscles to heal themselves. These treatments also include the possibilities of usual side effects of Botox usage.

1.      Removal of wrinkles

The best known usage of Botox is also the best effect Botox has to offer. Removal of wrinkles, especially near the eyes, is an easy treatment using Botox with minimal or no side effects as it requires injecting minimum amount of diluted Botox. The benefits of this procedure last significantly long. However it best works for dynamic wrinkles and not all sorts as it works by paralyzing and relaxing facial muscles so they do not contract with usual facial expressions and hence gives the face a smooth look. The effect can be best attained only under supervised medical conditions and expert injectors or otherwise may lead to strains in the muscles.

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1 Comment

  1. Ratsyte Rats

    April 2, 2014 at 2:48 pm

    I think, that this list of botulin injections could be added with some more proc and cons, I found them here botulino injekcijos (If you understand the language)

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