Write up from Dr Ashish Davalbhakta on Botox- facts and myths

When we talk about Botox, there comes an endless list of rumors, horrific stories & gossips in magazine. The websites are flooded with misconceptions & scary stories.

With all advancements in medicine, there are always rumors, stories & doubts. Hence it is very important to the know truth and the fictions about this popular procedure.

Dr Ashish Davalbhakta – a renowned cosmetic surgeon from Aesthetics medispa in Pune has shared few myths and truths about Botox- its nuances & treatments, its advantages and how Botox is becoming important in everyone’s life.

What is Botox?

The active ingredient in BOTOX is called Botulinum Toxin Type A. It is one of 7 proteins (A-G) derived from the Botulism germ and was first used for therapeutic purposes in the 1960s by Dr Alan Scott in the USA as a muscle relaxant to improve blepharospasm (uncontrolled blinking) and strabismus (crossed eyes). It now has over 20 recognized uses and is licensed in over 85 countries.

Botox gives a frozen and expressionless look.

There are rumors that once a person undergoes Botox, they lose the ability to show their facial expressions and there emotions are not natural, but the fact that we have received in AMS is that the patient gets compliments for their natural and refreshing look. Botox gives a great look. And yes, they can express their emotions more beautifully if Botox is done in a right manner.

The treatments we do are individualized to each of our patient’s unique needs. Those who have had the treatments performed by a trained and skilled physician are still able to display the entire range of facial expressions including frowning, smiling and appearing surprised. The treatment simply relaxes the muscle at the injection point.

Only women get Botox.

There are men opting for Botox injections as that makes them look more young and charming. Hence this is completely false, and men are increasingly turning to the treatment to help soften their look and facial features.

The treatment is more socially acceptable in both sexes.

Botox is Unsafe, Toxic & Dangerous.

With nearly 20 years of use for a range of different conditions, Botox has a long and well-established safety history. More than 16 million treatments have been performed since it was first introduced.  No long term side effects have ever been seen in users of the treatments even in studies that followed people who received thirty or more injections over a period of 9 years.

Botox has been extremely popular throughout the years with more and more people using it to regain a youthful appearance. It can help to ease wrinkles around the eyes and forehead safely, quickly and virtually painlessly.

Botox is only effective for facial lines.

Botox was actually developed as a treatment for neurological disorders not as a cosmetic facial treatment. It continues to be used for a variety of different conditions including depression, migraines, chronic neck and back pain, involuntary facial movements, strabismus, temporo-mandibular joint paint, hyperhidrosis as well as movement disorders such as facial spasms, writer’s cramps and neck tremors.

Botox is also used for reasons other than just cosmetic purposes. Botox is commonly used to block sweat glands temporarily, which helps people who suffer from excessive sweating. This has also been used to treat migraines and helping to release some of the muscle tension, in turn reducing the strain on your nervous system. Botox can even help patients who regularly experience depression.