I came across this article on the BBC website. They’re calling the series “Extreme Cosmetics” which I find a bit over the top but the information is mostly accurate.

They have a little slideshow that shows how BOTOX® Cosmetic works.

I’d just like to correct a few things they said that were misleading.

They said:

Botox is ‘botulinum toxin A’ – a diluted form of a food poison, which blocks nerve signals and causes paralysis

Clarification:

While it is true that BOTOX® Cosmetic contains a purified form of the toxin that causes botulism, it is used in such a concentrated form and such a small dose that it only affects the small facial muscles where it is injected.

They said:

With repeated treatments permanent thinning of the muscles can occur

Clarification:

If you have overactive muscle action causing wrinkles, you want the muscles to become thinner and weaker. For instance, in the forehead area, lumpy muscles will become smoothed out making your forehead look smoother over time with regular BOTOX® Cosmetic use.

They said:

Side effects can include weakness in neighbouring muscles, a droopy eyebrow or eyelid and headaches

Clarification:

This is true. In my experience, the headaches only last a few days and the weakness of a neighbouring muscle, if it is the result of a little BOTOX® Cosmetic spreading from the injection site, might last a couple of weeks. If the BOTOX® Cosmetic was injected into the wrong muscle (something I do not do), it might take a full 3 months to wear off.

They said:

Botox injections can interfere with a patient’s ability to eat, speak and blink

Clarification:

Trouble with eating and speaking would arise from having BOTOX® Cosmetic injected around the mouth, something that is not commonly done. Trouble blinking would come from using too much BOTOX® Cosmetic or injecting into the wrong place, something that can be avoided by having a trained practitioner doing the injections.

Serious complications of Botox may occur with injections for medical reasons, for instance to relieve severe spasticity of the neck muscles, not with cosmetic use.

They said:

The American Academy of Dermatology has issued a warning against Botox parties, especially those involving alcohol

Clarification:

Alcohol makes you more prone to bruising so an injection like BOTOX® Cosmetic could result in bruising when it normally wouldn’t when done in the office. Alcohol can also impair your judgment, putting you more at risk of accepting treatment with a counterfeit drug or by a non-qualified practitioner. I do not administer BOTOX® Cosmetic at parties where alcohol is being served.