Beauty
We spoke two experts to share their thoughts on the myths, truths, pros and cons about the most popular anti-ageing treatment you can try
To do or not to do—the debate on getting Botox or cosmetic injectables vs natural beauty still goes on. Whichever side of the conversation you're on, there is no doubt that these procedures aren’t going anywhere and some of the benefits they offer are hard to ignore. We got two Mumbai-based dermatologists, Dr Jaishree Sharad and Dr Harshna Bijlani to weigh in all things Botox, especially if you're in the process of making a decision about it.
“Botox is the brand name of ‘Botulinum toxin’, a natural, purified protein that is a medicine injected into the muscles to reduce their activity or movement, thereby reducing the wrinkles caused by these muscles. It aims at relaxing these wrinkle-causing muscles to give you a rejuvenated and a more youthful appearance,” explains Sharad. Botulinum toxin is available in India as Botox Cosmetic, Xeomin, Dysport and all three are US FDA approved. It is minimally invasive, safe and effective as long as it is done by a trusted, qualified aesthetician.
While Botox is popular in the West and is treated like any other facial treatment, the stigma in India still prevails. “There is progress, but a lot of people in India are still hesitant about getting Botox. The only thing to remember is getting it done by the right doctor who understands the right units/amount to be injected and the right points on your face,” advises Sharad. You can tell your dermatologist to start with baby units of botulinum toxin and not aim at trying to remove all the lines and wrinkles at once.
The US FDA approves of Botox over the age of 18, but the ideal age to start doing botox is in your late 20s or early 30s, suggests Bijlani. “When it comes to anti-ageing treatments, genetics and lifestyle play a huge role in how fast or slow you age. For someone who’s considering getting botox, I would recommend them to opt for it early on, while they’re still young to help relax the muscles and prevent the lines from actually forming. Once the lines and wrinkles are formed, it can help reduce them but not remove them.”
Truth: Botox is not harmful. “It only relaxes the muscles. It has been there for over 20 years and is US FDA approved, so there really is nothing to worry,” explains Sharad.
Truth: “This is a misconception that is widespread due to overly or badly done Botox, but when done right, it can have amazing results,” says Bijlani. The changes are so subtle that people won’t know you had Botox done.
Truth: “The action of botulinum toxin lasts for about three to four months and the muscles gain back full movement once the effect wears away,” says Sharad. So, just like your other treatments, you can choose whether or not you want to book your next appointment.
Dr Bijlani lists down the pros and cons one needs to know before going under the needle.
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It can help prevent fine lines and wrinkles almost immediately post the treatment.
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It has little to no downtime.
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Since it is US FDA approved, safety isn’t something you need to worry about.
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Botox may cause an allergic reaction in some people.
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The higher your metabolism, the faster your Botox will wear off.
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If done by someone not very well skilled, it could give you a plastic-like appearance and limit facial expressions.
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There are some medical conditions under which Botox is contraindicated, so make sure you check with your doctor. Pregnancy is also a contraindication for Botox.
It is a baby version of Botox. “You can use a smaller quantity of diluted Botox and inject it in the concerned area without relaxing the muscles drastically,” suggests Bijlani. It is injected with a micro-needle and is a good way to see how your skin and body react and how comfortable you are with it.
Masseter Botox, also sometimes referred to as the jaw Botox, is used for the muscles that help you chew food. “When you chew gum or clench your teeth while you are asleep or even while lifting heavy weights, you are exercising this muscle called masseter. It bulks up and the jaw becomes squarish, this is when botulinum toxin is injected into this muscle to relax it and to shrink the size of the muscle,” explains Sharad. The square jaw, thus, becomes more chiselled and sharp and the face looks slimmer and more proportionate. This can be done even from the age of 22-23. It is extremely safe and the results for masseter muscle last for about eight months.
This treatment targets the neck and the jawline and involves injecting mini doses of botulinum toxin into the neck muscle known as the platysma. “This procedure not only gets rid of the neck bands but also helps with tightening and uplifting the jawline,” says Sharad.
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