In an era where keeping up with the beauty standards is a must, people succumb to painful needles and “instant beauty in bottles” in order to stay young and glowing. Unless you are born with superhuman genes, no one can stop the fountain of youth from running out, but we can slow down aging with the help of science (and wealth).
During the 60s, breast implant took over the scene, then followed by liposuction in the 80s. Then in the beginning of the 21st century, Botox gained popularity.
Botox or Botulinium Toxin A is a drug originally used for medical treatments including eye disorders, muscle stiffness, overactive bladder, and migraine. In 2002, the Food and Drug Administration then approved the use of the expensive drug for cosmetic treatments, like reduction of wrinkles and tightening of sagging skin.
If you have the budget to pay for an “instant youth”, then Botox is one of the best ways to go. However, like other medical treatments, there are still pros and cons you should keep in mind before having Botox injected on you.
- Botox can turn back the clock
Pro: The quick treatment leaves you nothing but a smoother and younger-looking skin you might’ve had ten years ago. The horizontal w rinkles on your forehead, frowning lines in between the eyebrows, and fine lines in different areas of your face will be diminished in an instant.
Con: To achieve that wrinkle-free result, Botox paralyzes your facial muscles, leaving you with iron forehead and arched eyebrowes which form an unnatural frozen face. Bad Botox may also cause you to look like you’ve just recovered from stroke, so be careful with whom you trust with the procedure.
- Botox diminishes signs of aging instantly
Pro: Unlike cheap beauty products that give you false hopes of making you look younger in 7 days, you won’t get disappointed with the legit promises of Botox. After getting a quick Botox shot, you can instantly see the results in just a couple of hours or days if administered properly.
Con: All things that give fast, instant, yet effective results are expensive. You just have to make sure you get the best of what you pay for. You have the option of getting a Botox either per unit or per area. The cost ranges from $9 to $20 per unit depending on where you live. According to Becca Smith of narcissista.me., an average person needs about 20 units for forehead lines, 2 to 10 units for crows feet around the eyes, and 25 units for treating glabella. The cost of a single area, on the other hand, ranges from $250 to $500.
- Injecting Botox is a quick procedure
Pro: A single procedure lasts for 5 to 10 minutes. You will also endure less pain with only four to five standard shots into your fine lines and wrinkles.
Con: There are a lot of things to consider before and after you undergo the short procedure. Firstly, you should schedule your Botox appointment 6 weeks earlier than a big event. It takes 5 days for the drug to take full effect, which includes side effects like swelling and bruising that go down over a short period of time. Secondly, you should taking fish oils and ibuprofen 2 weeks before your appoinment to limit the potential of swelling. Then after the procedure, you should maintain an upright position for 2-4 hours to prevent the chemical from spreading out.
- Botox is a professional treatment
Pro: Injecting Botox is not just like injecting a flu shot. It takes an experienced injector, with at least 5 years of Botox experience and impressive combination of “eye, hand, and talent” to make a 5-10-minute procedure a safe and effective one. Aside from incredible results, you’ll have less chances of side effects since it is done with proper evaluation and technique. Professionals also have a quick access to emergency equipment when allergic reaction occurs.
Con: Choosing the right clinic and the right injector is cruicial because even millimeters of difference between injectable areas and no fly zones can make or break your face. Side effects like Dysphasia, bruises, swelling, redness, bleeding, drooped eye lids or ptosis, arched brows, asymmetric mouth, nausea, neck pain, and headaches usually occur. The bigger problem is these side effects become more severe and tend to last longer than usual if you’ve had improper, over, or non-required usage of Botox.
- Botox wears off
Pro: The satisfaction from the procedure depends on the person. If you have an important event to attend to and you just want to look younger for a couple of months then Botox may be a great deal. You have the option to discontinue the treatment if you find the results or the mild side effects unbearable.
Con: On the otherhand, if your lifestyle demands you to look stunning every single day, thinking that Botox isn’t long lasting may serve as a disadvantage. The effects run for an average of 6 months which means you’ll have to bear more physical and financial pain for the upkeep.
Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is one of the daytime writers for The Australasian College of Health and Wellness, a government accredited educational institution specializing in the discipline of health science. She spends most of her time writing articles focused on aesthetics and overall health and wellness.