4 Myths About BOTOX That You Shouldn't Believe

Dr. Manios spends extensive time helping Pleasanton patients understand the benefits of BOTOX® Cosmetic, evaluating whether they are good candidates for the product, and answering questions they have about the process. Part of this conversation sometimes includes clearing up misconceptions related to treatment. Here are some of the most common misunderstandings about BOTOX and what the truth is about your care.

1. BOTOX Isn’t Botulism

In the 1940s and 50s, Depression-era parents would sometimes store food improperly, or they would incorrectly follow food expiration dates. The result was a rise in cases of botulism, an illness connected to a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. BOTOX includes a tiny amount of a purified form of the botulinum toxin, but it is not botulism. Rather, BOTOX is an FDA-approved treatment that temporarily diminishes the appearance of moderate-to-severe facial lines. Studies since its release in 2002 have extensively demonstrated its safety.

2. BOTOX Presents No Proven Long-Term Risk

No research study has demonstrated long-term risks with BOTOX. Pleasanton patients often receive treatment for years because consistent use over time tends to provide the greatest aesthetic improvement. Here’s another way to think about it: while botulism is a serious illness, patients who contract it tend to recover fully with no lifelong developmental, mental, physical, or health problems. BOTOX only uses a small amount of a purified form of this toxin, further reducing any potential risk.

3. BOTOX Will Not Immediately Remove Facial Lines

The degree of improvement that patients will see with BOTOX depends on several factors. For example:

• Younger patients—or patients who have firmer skin tone and less developed facial lines—may experience an immediate reduction in lines and wrinkles. Treatment can also prevent these lines from becoming permanent.
• Pleasanton patients who have BOTOX in their 60s or patients with clearly defined facial lines can smooth away signs of aging, but they will typically require a year or two of ongoing treatment to get the results that they want.

In part, these different experiences are due to the way that BOTOX works. The product doesn’t fill in the facial line. Instead, Dr. Manios uses BOTOX to reduce muscle movement and to train the facial muscles not to contract forcefully when patients make certain expressions. This prevents the skin from creating creases and, over time, allows facial lines to fade.

4. BOTOX Takes Time for Maximum Effect

Each facial muscle is different. Some will take up BOTOX faster than others, which means that certain areas of the face may show results more quickly. For this reason, Dr. Manios prefers to wait until he can see the full effect BOTOX has had before offering a touch-up. Typically, he recommends that Pleasanton BOTOX patients wait up to two weeks to evaluate their improvement. This approach promotes patient safety and high-quality outcomes. If you have other questions about BOTOX or are interested in treatment with Dr. Christopher Manios, contact his practice online or by phone at 925 989 6560.