Weighing the Pros and Cons of Wrinkle-Removing Botox
Perhaps the most controversial cosmetic and dermatologic treatment is Botox, short for botulinum toxin, a substance that causes botulism. When used in very small quantities, it disrupts nerve action on the facial muscles – visible lines and wrinkles on the face are most often caused by tension in the muscles. Botox works like magic because it instantly diminishes the lines on your face. In as little as 24 to 72 hours, you can have wrinkle-free skin. Lines on the head caused by habitual frowning, crow’s feet (wrinkling on the sides of the eyes) and fine lines near the lips are easy to remove with Botox injections.
Initially used for other medical purposes such as to control unnatural spasms, Botox has been approved by the FDA to be safe for cosmetic treatment. However, there were many side effects reported after the use of Botox injections on the face. Some of these side effects include uncontrolled eye blinking, getting cross eyed, abnormal tilting of the head, drooling and the inability to raise your eyebrows, frown, and squint or pucker your lips. Each treatments costs $500 on the average and you would have to go after a certain period of time because the Botox effect wears off eventually. It is only a temporary fix. So the next time you think about having Botox to iron out the creases, think it over carefully.
