As old wives’ tales and medical myths go, those centered around Botox are actually among the least outlandish, when you think about it.
It’s unsurprising that a non-surgical wrinkle treatment associated with the word roots “-tox,” as in toxin, and “botulinum,” as in the very serious illness botulism, would perhaps stir up some superstitious beliefs among well-intended, but ultimately misinformed people.
But rest assured, the most widely studied aesthetic injectable in the world has not somehow “slipped by” the dozens of safety checks required to make it to market. The unromantic truth is that Botox contains carefully calculated micro-doses of toxic substances—more on this below—that fall (very far) below the levels required to inflict harm.
First things first—we can’t dispel the myths surrounding this popular frown line treatment if we don’t know what they are.
Botox Safety Myths and Misconceptions
Here is a rapid-fire, but non-exhaustive list of some of the most common Botox safety myths:
- Botox is toxic and dangerous – Actually, Botox is toxic. But no, according to hundreds of peer-reviewed clinical findings certifying its safety profile, this anti-aging injectable is not dangerous. We’ll explore why this is below.
- Botox causes permanent paralysis – Botox does interfere with the communication between nerves and muscles, but only temporarily. It doesn’t cause permanent paralysis under normal conditions. This is an extremely rare and highly preventable issue that requires a number of factors to align, including poor technique on the part of the injector. Even when prolonged muscle deactivation does occur, it is resolved by re-strengthening the muscle and re-training the neural connection(s), and is therefore not a true case of permanent paralysis.
- Botox treatment is very painful, and requires lengthy downtime – This one is less a true safety concern, and is less common today, but thanks to Hollywood portrayals of neurotoxins (give us what we want, Mr. Bond), there are still people out there who assume that Botox treatment is a highly painful experience.
Believe it or not, most of these myths are actually based on half-truths. So, what gives? Is Botox actually toxic or not? How likely is it to cause real, lasting harm?
Is Botox Actually a Toxin?
Yes, Botox contains a neurotoxin. The active ingredient in this anti-aging injectable, known as clostridium botulinum toxin type A, is a neurotoxin derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Also typically included in Botox formulations are certain (non-toxic) proteins, like albumin, and sodium chloride, which help to keep the main ingredient stable.
You know what else is a toxin? Water, oxygen, iron, salt, caffeine, vitamin A, nutmeg, and chocolate, to name a few. This brings us to the main point: toxicity is a function of both the substance in question and the quantity consumed.
Toxicity is not an element or an ingredient in itself, but a capacity of a substance to impart certain harmful effects—a capacity that changes with quantity. Water is obviously non-toxic in most situations, but can become toxic when a very large amount is consumed (wrinkles are the least of your worries if this is you).
Point being, because Botox uses such a diluted (and heavily purified) form of botulinum toxin type A to encourage smooth skin, it can reduce the appearance of wrinkles without causing harm. It is carefully formulated to selectively disable a nerve’s communication without attacking the tissues any further or spreading throughout the body and causing all kinds of problems.
Celebrity Status: The Widely Studied Safety Profile of Botox
Dozens, if not hundreds of randomized controlled trials assessing the safety profile of Botox have been conducted across a wide spread of patient demographics for the past several decades.
The vast majority of findings conclude that this non-surgical wrinkle treatment has a strong safety profile, citing a low percentage (often less than 5%) of adverse events reported among trial participants. The adverse events that are reported typically involve reversible and/or minor concerns, including bruising, skin reactions, and eyelid or eyebrow malposition.
Thanks to this highly robust foundation, researchers have been able to reliably identify the factors that are more likely to elicit an adverse reaction. These include, but are not limited to the following:
- Individual and total injection volume – Applying too much Botox, either in a single location or the total amount administered over a single session, is unsurprisingly linked to a greater incidence of unwanted side effects.
- Provider technique and experience – Improper aseptic techniques (sterilizing the syringe, prepping the patient’s skin, etc.) and injection techniques are associated with a variety of issues, including asymmetries, vision issues, infection, and more.
- Medical history assessment – Patients with certain conditions may be more susceptible to blood vessel injury, and would thus require either a modified approach or an alternative to Botox altogether. This issue and any other factors that could compromise the treatment’s safety or efficacy need to be screened for and identified prior to treatment.
What to Look for In a Provider
When seeking out Botox treatment, it’s important to only consult with board-certified, experienced providers that adhere to the highest standards of safety, from the first point of contact until well after your treatment.
What exactly does this look like, you might be wondering? An expert Botox provider will carefully and comprehensively assess your medical history, evaluate your aesthetic concerns, and provide a customized treatment plan that incorporates your needs and expectations alongside uncompromised safety protocols. This is how we do things at Zormeier Cosmetic Surgery and Longevity Center. As your Botox provider, we will partner with you to create an individualized approach that produces the subtle, yet transformative results you’re looking for. Contact us for a consultation today and experience the difference that an expert Botox treatment provider makes.