The Map Magazine

Sydney Botulinum injections (BoTox for short) has become fashionable amongst Sydney’s fashionable set and now it has become an important part of a beauty routine for those in Sydney.

But I never cease to be astonished by the amount of myths that have been heard around this procedure.

To follow are a few of the popular myths which we come across all the time at Star Cosmetic Medicine, where I am employed as a doctor.

Error # 1: The muscles in my forehead might freeze!

Beneath the skin of the face are about 60 muscles. The extensive use of these muscles over a period of time can cause the formation of fine lines. Too many treatments of BoTox can lead to the musculature of the face looking too relaxed. Most doctors would use relatively small doses to make you appear refreshed, but still you will keep your natural expression.

So a carefully calculated injection of BoTox in the appropriate place means facial expression is kept whilst the wrinkles are smoothed.

Error # 2: Botulinum is toxic!
There is a grain of truth in this statement. Its pharmaceutical name is Botulinum Toxin Type A. Too great a dose can result in loss of muscle tone and may even cause sickness.

However to help us understand the reality of the situation - a well-known chemist’s saying states that ‘everything is poisonous - all depending on the dose’. All medicines in a large dose will make you sick. If you drink too great a quantity of water it will result in death.

Error # 3: BoTox will be painful!
The needles we use at Star Cosmetic Medicine have a diameter less than your hair. Many patients state that the treatments are not as sore as getting bit by bugs. It for certain is less traumatic than something like a vaccination.

Error # 4: I will lose sensation in my face!
Untrue. BoTox works principally on the junction between the nerve and the facial muscle, and not on the nerves of sensation. Only the ability to relax muscles is affected by BoTox.

Error # 5. Once you begin getting BoTox you need to keep it up otherwise you may age faster than ever!
Again this is just false.

The first set of injections will be effective for around three months. Subsequent treatments do last a little longer. The wrinkles will gradually re-emerge as the muscle recovers its strength. Even So your wrinkles will not be any deeper than when you began your treatment.

Even should you don’t have BoTox injections again - those lines should be less severe than if you hadn’t undergone the procedure. This is mainly the case because you have given your skin a ‘wrinkle holiday’ during the treatment.