Throughout my years of experience injecting prescription wrinkle reducers such as BOTOX for Mississauga and Toronto residents, I’ve come across my fair share of misconceptions about the treatments. Despite being among the most popular cosmetic procedures available, there are still a few things people often get wrong about how BOTOX works and what it achieves.
In this blog post, I’d like to answer 6 commonly asked questions that stem from widely believed BOTOX myths.
Are BOTOX and fillers the same thing?
BOTOX and injectable fillers are not the same. While they’re sometimes used to treat similar concerns, they work in very different ways and are most effective in different areas of the face.
- BOTOX is a neurotoxin. It reduces wrinkles by relaxing muscles that repeatedly contract and form lines in the skin. Frown lines, horizontal forehead lines, and crow’s feet are all highly treatable with BOTOX.
- Fillers reduce lines by adding volume under the skin that may have been lost due to aging. Nasolabial folds, vertical lip lines, and marionette lines are commonly treated with dermal fillers.
Is there a right (or wrong) age for BOTOX?
There is no right or wrong age for starting BOTOX. Some people believe they can only get BOTOX once they’ve started showing significant signs of aging, but this isn’t the case. In fact, when used regularly, BOTOX can prevent existing lines and wrinkles from becoming any deeper. It “stops the clock” to a degree, which is one of the reasons it has become so popular among millennials. (Learn more in this previous blog post.)
Will my wrinkles come back deeper if I stop BOTOX?
No, stopping BOTOX will not cause your wrinkles to return even deeper; it’s just the opposite. Because BOTOX prevents the muscle contractions that lead to wrinkles, any time spent with BOTOX is less time your muscles will spend etching wrinkles into your skin. If you start and then stop using BOTOX, you’re likely to have less pronounced or fewer wrinkles than you would have if you never started.
Does BOTOX last forever?
The effects of BOTOX are not permanent; they typically last about 3 to 4 months. To maintain your look, you may need touch-up treatments a few times a year.
Can I get BOTOX at a day spa or salon?
There are multiple reasons this is a bad idea. As BOTOX becomes more mainstream, it’s becoming easier to find providers who offer deals or discounts in an effort to draw in patients. However, these providers are commonly underqualified and may even be selling diluted or off-brand BOTOX. Trusting an injector with strong credentials is key for your safety.
Will BOTOX freeze my face?
When you work with a qualified provider, it’s highly unlikely your face will look unnaturally frozen. While BOTOX does relax specific muscles, a skilled injector will strategically avoid treating unnecessary areas, allowing you to maintain your natural facial expressions.
To see examples of the results you can expect at my practice, please visit our BOTOX before-and-after photo gallery.
If you would like to learn more about BOTOX at my Mississauga or Toronto offices, please contact us online or call (905) 273-3045 (Mississauga) or (416) 207-9090 (Toronto).
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