Is Botox Safe: The Pros and Cons of Botox

While most of the recent controversy surrounding Botox has been because of the Botox alternatives or “fake Botox” sold by doctors in order to save more money and the non-disclosure involved, this does not mean that you should pay more and run to Botox. In fact, there are some who have sworn off Botox for good reason–it can be extremely dangerous.

Botox can be extremely attractive, in part because so many starlets like Terri Hatcher for example swear by it. However, at $400 to $1000 a treatment, not everybody can afford Botox anyway. Interestingly enough, Botox did not start off as a wrinkle treatment, and it has only been recently approved by the FDA as a wrinkle treatment.

History of Botox

Comprised of a small amount of the botulism toxin, which can be deadly, Botox was first introduced by Allergen. Since then, it has been marketed under trademark names such as Dysport or Xeomin, and it has been used for various cosmetic procedures. However, before it became a mainstream wrinkle treatment, Botox was actually used to stop muscle spasms, to alleviate and prevent migraines, and as a way to stop excess sweating.

It was only introduced to cosmetics in 1989 when Dr. Richard Clark published an article in the journal
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery about Botox and its “freezing” effects on the muscles underneath the
skin, which can create a more taught and wrinkle free appearance. Since 1989, it has been proven
effective in the treatment of many other problems such as Parkinson’s disease, wound healing, painful
bladder syndrome, vocal chord issues, TMJ, and many other issues that you might not necessarily think
of. However, Botox is not without its issues and extreme controversy.

Pros of Botox

Despite the controversy, botox does have quite a few potential benefits and medical uses. The most
common modern day use for botox is as a wrinkle treatment, and botox has been clinically proven to be
effective in reducing wrinkles. When injected, botox typically takes 7 days to 4 weeks to set in, at which
time, freezing facial muscles and promoting significant reductions in forehead wrinkles, smile lines, and even crow’s feet with proper application.

Wrinkle reduction typically lasts 4 months, at which time additional injections are required. However, some have also used it as a preventative measure for wrinkles because of the fact that it freezes the contractions that could lead to more permanent wrinkles as you age.

In addition, this potential toxin has been used for example in children who suffer from muscle spasms,
preventing spasms without actually restricting normal muscle activity. In addition, some doctors have
used it to treat chronic migraine headaches, TMJ, excessive sweating, excessive blinking, and it may even reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Doctors are still looking for long term cures for all of these medical problems, but many choose to
use botox to address certain medical issues in patients, both young and old. Botox should only be
administered in its true form by a qualified medical professional. You can get botox from certain
spas and beauty consultants, but we would recommend paying more for an MD familiar with the practice and all of its possible complications to maximize the benefits and minimize the risk. An MD in particular can assess your current health and determine whether you can truly benefit from botox in its various medical or beauty related capacities.

Side Effects Linked to Botox

Even though Botox comes from what can be a deadly toxin, most side effects associated with true
Botox are actually mild and temporary, or so the reports from Allergen go. Most experience redness
or swelling at the injection site, which is expected, and some experience a temporary problem with
muscles that are “too frozen”, preventing common facial expressions and facial movement. However,
most doctors suggest that these side effects fade within just hours.

In more serious cases, patients can experience headaches, dysphagia, flu like symptoms, dry mouth,
fatigue, allergic reactions, etc., at which time patients should immediately consult a trained physician.
Some have also experienced serious breathing issues because Botox can get into the bloodstream,
spreading to the throat, preventing muscle movements that are essential to the body’s natural ability to
integrate oxygen into the system.

Recent studies have shown that even some of the more severe side effects are more common than makers have admitted in the past.

What is the Mortality Rate Among Botox Users?

Not everybody will die from using Botox, and there are plenty of people who will keep using Botox
for years to come because of its possible benefits, with only on site redness or no side effects at all.
However, a September 2005 paper published in the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology
reported that Botox has caused 28 deaths between 1989 and 2003, and that does not include cases of
hospitalization or cases where lifesaving measures were taken that prevented death.

As of February 8, 2008, the FDA has released official warnings that say that Botox “has been linked
in some cases to adverse reactions, including respiratory failure and death, following treatment of a
variety of conditions using a wide range of doses.” Even small amounts of Botox do not rule out the
possibility of death. In January of 2009, the Canadian government went one step further, warning
that Botox can make its way into the bloodstream, potentially spreading to unintended parts of the
body, which could cause respiratory failure, heart problems, pneumonia, and in extreme cases death.

Should You Use Botox?

If you are thinking about using Botox, there are well studied benefits. However, the risk of death and
serious medical issues is also something to consider before using Botox for any reason.