It seems that everyone is getting Botox these days, but did you know that Botox is just a toxic byproduct of bacteria? In fact, the name Botox derives from the phrase Botulinum toxin, the same toxin responsible for some cases of food poisoning. This is just one reason to consider saying no to Botox. Here are ten more.
1. It Doesn’t Work
Botox has some great medical applications that make it a valuable treatment for serious ailments, such as migraines. What it isn’t so great at, however, is making you look younger. It can smooth out wrinkles and relax facial muscles, but even the experts who administer Botox injections admit that it can do little to make a person look younger. The “filled” look was fashionable for a while, which is why people really got Botox, but even that has gone by the wayside now.
2. It’s Expensive
Botox can cost thousands of dollars, and considering it doesn’t do that much in the long run, you have to wonder why people spend so much on it. There are actually much better ways to reduce the signs of aging, like exercise and improving diet, so save your money for those things instead.
3. Dangerous Side Effects
Though serious side effects with Botox aren’t common, they aren’t nonexistent. Complications from Botox can include infection, paralysis, allergic reactions, and even death. Less serious complications include pain, weakness, nausea, vomiting, and headache. Remember that Botox is a neurotoxin.
4. Addiction
Many people who have started with “just a little” Botox report that they found their need escalated over time. It isn’t addictive in the sense that alcohol can be addictive, but many people do find that quitting Botox is difficult. The more of it they have, the more “flaws” they want to fix with it. One of the problems that people run into is that relaxing muscles to reduce wrinkles in one area of the face can lead to more wrinkles in another area. Thus, using Botox will likely reveal a further need for Botox.
5. No Antidote
If a Botox injection ends up not producing the results you want, there is little you can do but wait. There is no way to reverse the effects of Botox, so the effects have to wear off on their own. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months before Botox fully wears off.
6. Self Esteem
Many people see Botox as a reflection of low confidence. They even associate Botox with shallowness and an overemphasis on appearance. Having Botox may send a message to others that you aren’t confident in your abilities, which can be a major problem in business relationships.
Even more important than how others see you, however, is how you see yourself. Getting Botox often leads to excessive time spent looking in the mirror. Do you really want to spend so much time nitpicking over every detail of your appearance? Will Botox improve your self esteem?
7. The Plastic Look
Too much Botox can lead to a mannequin-like appearance. You may say that you’ll just get a few spots done and so this doesn’t apply to you, but read tip #4 before you make that claim. The fact is, Botox will affect your muscles and make it more difficult to express emotion, which may make you appear artificial and even aloof.
8. Immunity
It turns out that the body can become accustomed to the effects of Botox over time. This means that each treatment wears off faster than the last, which means that you have to have Botox more often to achieve the same effects. Having Botox more often increases your risk for all of the complications that come with the injections and means more money out of your pocket.
9. The Rogue Eyebrow
Sometimes Botox can lead to a look of permanent surprise. This happens when one eyebrow is affected more than the other by the Botox or when the effects of the injection are not evenly spaced across the entire brow. Either way, you look like your are surprised all of the time. Not cool!
10. Heavy Brow
Some people report that injections of Botox into their forehead leave their brow feeling heavy. This occurs because the muscle in the forehead has been weakened to reduce wrinkles and thus has to work harder to keep the brow lifted. The muscle will fatigue easier and your brow will feel heavier.
Botox has its uses, even in cosmetics, but do you really want to put a neurotoxin into your body just to erase a few fine lines and wrinkles? Given that the effects are marginal at best, why not look to other methods of reducing the signs of aging? Aging gracefully is becoming ever more popular as people reject the obsession with appearance that has made Botox into a billion dollar industry.