How Safe Is Botox?
Botox is considered a very safe and effective treatment for both cosmetic and medical purposes when performed by a competent and trained professional. The key to a safe experience is finding a professional who has both training and experience providing the treatment required. Trained professionals can be found for cosmetic or medical Botox or a combination of the two. When choosing a Botox provider, ensure they are fully qualified for the treatment needed.
Botox is also very safe and has been tested extensively in clinical environments to ensure its safety for human use.
What is Botox?
Botox is an injectable medicine that uses toxins produced by the bacteria that cause botulism (a rare but very serious condition that attacks the body's nerves). The amount of the toxin used is so tiny and refined that there is no danger present to the patient.
Botox is most commonly used as a cosmetic treatment to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It temporarily paralyses the muscles, resulting in a smooth and youthful appearance of the skin.
Botox can also be used therapeutically to treat medical conditions such as excessive underarm sweating, migraines, and extreme muscle stiffness. It was originally made and used to treat strabismus (the medical term for a squint) before becoming immensely popular as a cosmetic procedure.
What's in Botox ingredients?
Botox is made from a toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium. As mentioned above, if found at high enough levels, it can cause botulism.
In medical and cosmetic settings, it is used in small enough quantities, with all the correct purifying, that it is perfectly safe for use when handled by a qualified professional.
If you are considering Botox treatment, choosing a professional with recognised qualifications is crucial to ensure they use Botox correctly and safely.
The Risks of Botox
As with any medical procedure, Botox injections come with some risks. The serious risks associated with Botox are very rare, and most people will have Botox injections without any adverse reaction.
The level of skill and expertise of the person performing Botox treatments can also affect the chances of complications. This is another reason that anyone seeking treatment should use Botox-trained professionals. Anyone performing Botox injections without quality qualifications and the correct training can significantly increase the risk of complications.
While rare, some of the risks that can occur during or after Botox treatment include:
- Breathing issues
- Muscle weakness
- Facial drooping
Botox side effects
Side effects can happen regardless of how experienced a practitioner is, but they can be more likely to occur with an inexperienced or underqualified practitioner.
Some common side effects include:
- Bruising
- Pain around the injection sites
- Allergic reaction
- Itching
These are normally temporary and not cause for concern.
Who Can Administer Botox Injections?
There is currently no legislation preventing people without medical backgrounds from performing Botox injections, though this may change in the future. What is important when choosing a Botox practitioner is that they hold the most up-to-date qualifications in Botox injections.
The right qualifications will ensure that anyone performing Botox injections has the best theoretical and practical knowledge to perform the procedure safely and effectively.
Nurses, doctors, dentists, and dental hygienists are common occupations for Botox injections. These professionals will all have prior experience using injectable medications in their work lives.
How to Prepare for a Botox Appointment
Preparing for a Botox appointment can help reduce the risk of common side effects or serious complications from the procedure.
It is best to start preparing for your Botox appointment one week before it is scheduled and ask your doctor or practitioner about any medications you may be taking that could impact the Botox procedure. Some steps to take in the week before your appointment include:
- Avoid drinking wine, particularly red wine, which can increase the chances of side effects like bruising
- Avoid NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen, as these can thin your blood and increase the chances of bleeding and bruising
- Avoid garlic, which may also increase your chances of bruising
Your aesthetician will be able to guide you further on how to prepare for a Botox appointment.
Botox Aftercare
Good aftercare can help to ensure a successful recovery after Botox injections. It can also minimise the risk of bruising, encourage optimal results and increase the length of time needed before a repeat procedure.
On the day of Botox injections, it is best to take the following precautions:
- Take it easy for the rest of the day following the procedure
- Avoid touching the area treated
- Avoid alcohol and smoking
- Do gentle facial exercises (such as smiling, frowning and raising your eyebrows)
- Avoid strenuous exercise and keep your heart rate relaxed
- Avoid using makeup on the face
- Stay sat up for the first four hours after the procedure
Patients can also return to their normal activities straight after the procedure, provided they don't elevate their heart rate too much.
Is Botox dangerous long-term?
Due to its temporary nature, many people choose to have Botox injections as often as three or four times per year throughout their lives.
Clinical studies into the long-term effects of continued Botox use show that there may be some small issues when the same injection site is used repeatedly. However, this can be mitigated by having the procedure done by a qualified professional.
Typically, extended use of Botox means that the muscles in the face or other areas will not have been working as hard, and this can result in longer-lasting smoothing of fine lines and wrinkles.
The quality and qualifications of the professional who performs the procedure make all the difference in reducing the risk of issues occurring over time. Patients should always choose practitioners with comprehensive, regulated qualifications in Botox.
