How does Botox work? Is it safe? We got a dermatologist to share what you need to know

It might look or sound oh-so-wonderful that just an injection can make you look younger by years, but there’s a lot more than meets the eye. Have you ever wondered why most people hesitate to get Botox done, even when popular media has spoken of its benefits time and again? Well, there are two reasons for it: one is lack of awareness and two, getting a shot on your face is actually scary. We mean what if something goes wrong.

It’s definitely a big decision to get it or not. Plus, there is no doubt that if you are injecting chemicals inside your skin, it is going to have certain repercussions.

But we wanted to go a little deeper inside the world of Botox, which is why we got in touch with Dr Dr Nivedita Dadu, a celebrity dermatologist and founder of Dr Nivedita Dadu’s Dermatology Clinic. 

You need to understand the technology before going for it

Botox is basically a drug that weakens or paralyzes muscle. In small doses, it can reduce skin wrinkles and help to treat some other medical conditions. Botox is a protein made from botulinum toxin. It is a purified form of botulinum toxin A, and has no risk when used properly. They work by blocking the nerves that contract muscles, softening the appearance of wrinkles. A Botox treatment is minimally invasive. It’s considered a safe, effective treatment for fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. It can also be used on the forehead between the eyes.

Here’s how Botox works

Botox is a toxin, but when used correctly and in small doses, it can have many benefits. It has both cosmetic and medical uses. Botox injections can reduce the appearance of skin wrinkles. It can temporarily paralyze muscles, which can benefit people with various muscle or nerve disorders. 

Botox is used for muscle spasm control, severe under-arm sweating, and cosmetic improvement. The injections are inserted into muscles, where it blocks nerve impulses in those tissues. The muscle activity that causes the frown lines is reduced, and it makes your skin look much smoother. Without a contracting muscle beneath it, the skin has a difficult time wrinkling.

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Botox can also help to soften facial lines, but not always get rid of them.

Yes, Botox has a flip side to it too, confirms Dr Dadu

Botox treatment is the most effective treatment for wrinkles, but it has some side effects as well. Its side effects include pain at the injection site, infection, inflammation, swelling, redness, bleeding, and bruising. 

“Some of these symptoms may indicate an allergic reaction such as itching, wheezing, asthma, a rash, red welts, dizziness and faintness. It is possible for the Botox to spread a little beyond the intended injection site and affect surrounding tissues. Dry mouth, fatigue, headache, neck pain, bruising, pain at the site of injection, and, in fewer cases, drooping eyelids or eyebrows are also visible that return to their natural position within a few months. One should always get it done from a certified doctor, otherwise these are the things that can go wrong,” warns Dr Dadu.

Botox is a substance that targets the nervous system, disrupting the nerve signaling processes that stimulate muscle contraction and causes temporary muscle paralysis. 

So, can you take this risk?