Botox is one of the best-known treatments in cosmetic medicine. While it can improve the appearance of some wrinkles and even prevent new ones from developing, it’s also commonly used to treat a variety of health conditions, including excessive sweating, muscle spasms and chronic migraines. But if you aren’t familiar with what Botox injections entail, they can sound a little intimidating.
Botox has been used in medicine for a long time and is generally considered safe, but there are some considerations and potential side effects to keep in mind. Keep reading to learn more about Botox injections so you can make an informed decision about your health.
How does Botox work? By “freezing” muscles with a toxin.
“Botox” is actually a brand name that’s so well-known it’s become shorthand for other similar products. In the same way that people might call any kind of tissue “Kleenex,” people may use the name “Botox” to refer to variations of the same substance – botulinum toxin.
Botulinum toxin is a paralyzing neurotoxin made by the clostridium botulinum bacteria. In medicine, it’s used to block the release of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, which tells muscles to contract. When this happens, the muscles at the site of a botulinum injection stay relaxed for an extended period of time, typically several months.
This is where the cosmetic benefits of Botox come from, particularly for facial wrinkles. While wrinkles related to general aging and fat volume loss can’t be treated with Botox, it can help wrinkles that form over time from typical facial movements (like from squinting or frowning).
For these types of wrinkles, Botox is injected with the purpose of weakening and shrinking certain facial muscles and keeping them relaxed. This gives an appearance of smoother skin and can prevent new wrinkles from forming, especially with long-term use.
This muscle-relaxing effect means that Botox can also benefit medical conditions involving uncontrollable, frequent or prolonged muscle contractions. It can relieve the painful tension involved in chronic migraines, stop spasming muscles and even slow down an overactive bladder, among many other benefits.
How is Botox considered safe if it’s a toxin? Regulation.
Botulinum toxin comes from the same bacteria that’s responsible for botulism, a rare but very serious health condition. However, botulinum toxin used for cosmetic or therapeutic treatments is both purified and heavily diluted, according to medical control standards approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It’s considered incredibly safe to use, and the risk of dangerous side effects from Botox is very low when getting it from licensed cosmetic dermatologists and cosmetic surgery clinicians, who use regulated supplies in controlled clinic environments.
Possible side effects of cosmetic Botox
Like any medical treatment, using Botox does come with a possibility of side effects. But as with many widely used medical treatments, the likelihood of serious side effects is very low, especially if you follow your dermatologist’s aftercare instructions.
Possible mild Botox side effects
Most of the potential side effects of cosmetic Botox are mild. They are typically treatable or self-limiting, meaning that the side effects will go away as the injection wears off. These include:
- Bruising, swelling, pain or infection at the injection site
- Dry or watery eyes
- Flu-like symptoms
- Headache
- Minor loss of muscle control in the eyelids, eyebrows or mouth
Rarely, Botox can cause more serious side effects
In rare cases, Botox that spreads beyond its intended area may cause more serious symptoms. Call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following in the weeks after an injection:
- Breathing problems
- Difficulty swallowing or speaking
- Frequent or uncontrollable urges to urinate
- Muscle weakness
- Vision problems
The long-term safety of Botox is not well understood
There isn’t a lot of research on long-term botulinum injection use, but some studies have found evidence of a few potential side effects. For one thing, repeatedly getting injections in the same area over many years may cause the targeted muscles to permanently weaken.
That said, there might be a flip side to this idea: Keeping wrinkle-causing muscles weak for many years when you’re younger may help prevent or reduce those wrinkles as you get older. However, more research is needed to confirm whether this is actually the case.
Avoid Botox if you have certain health factors
Doctors generally recommend against getting Botox if you have health conditions that may be complicated by its effects. These include:
- An allergy to botulinum toxin
- Body dysmorphic disorder
- Deep facial scarring
- Neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis or amyotrophic lateralizing sclerosis
- Pregnancy (or if you’re currently breastfeeding)
Get the safest possible Botox experience by working with a licensed cosmetic clinician
If you’re interested in getting Botox, it’s best to start by talking to a cosmetic medicine expert. They can assess your overall health and the condition of your skin, and determine if Botox would be a good choice for your needs. If it is, they’ll have the training and the supplies needed to provide you with safe and effective Botox injections.
At HealthPartners, you can access Botox and other cosmetic medicine services through our cosmetic dermatology and cosmetic surgery practices (and in very specific cases, eye care).
Choosing whether to see a cosmetic dermatology or cosmetic surgery clinician mostly depends on your care preferences, timeline and other personal factors.
