The trouble with Botox

 

By: Dorian Jenkins

 

For many years, celebrities have been using the drug Botox to make themselves look younger and define their face more. Doctors have been using Botox successfully for years to treat wrinkles and facial creases. However, some patients who have received Botox in the past have gone overboard and have used too much of the drug just for beauty, but do people really know how the Botox works in their body?

Botox is just the brand name for a toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium Botulinum. There are other brands as well, such as Dysport and Xeomin; however, Botox is the most commonly known toxin and is used more often. A Seckman High School senior, Brittany Drumm says, “I never knew that the Botox was a toxin being injected into your body and it probably is not that good for you, considering what it is.”

Botox blocks signals from the nerves to the muscles. The injected muscle then cannot contract. This is what causes the wrinkles to relax and lessen. Botox is more often used on forehead lines, lines around the eyes, and frown lines. The wrinkles caused by sun damage and gravity will not respond to Botox.

The procedure only takes a few minutes to do and does not require you to be put to sleep. The Botox is injected with a fine needle into specific muscles, causing only minor discomfort. After the procedure is over, it may take about three to seven days to take full effect. Also, up to two weeks before the procedure, you should avoid alcohol, aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications to reduce bruising in the treated areas.

The effects of a Botox injection will last for four to six months. As the muscle action begins to fade away, the lines and wrinkles will begin to reappear and the patient will then need to be treated once again. The lines and wrinkles often appear less severe with time because the muscles are being trained to relax. A Seckman High School junior, Taylor Wucher, says, “I personally feel that if it is soon going to wear off, then it is a waste of your money.” 

Temporary bruising is probably the most common side effect of Botox. Headaches, which tend to end after a period of 24 to 48 hours, can happen as well, but it is also very rare. A small percentage of patients may develop eyelid drooping. This usually ends within three weeks of the procedure. Drooping usually happens when the Botox moves around, so you should not rub the treated area for up to 12 hours after the injection, or lie down for three to four hours.

After all the pain of going through the process it takes just for Botox, is it all really worth it? Many people do think that it is; however, the toxin that they put into your skin cannot be good for your body and is not worth the pain to get rid of your wrinkles. Mikayla Hirschman, a freshman, says, “Maybe if people were knowledgeable enough to know that it was such a pain going though the process, then less people would get it done.” Overall, Botox does make your skin look a lot younger and your face may feel more defined, but do you think that all of this is worth it?