By now, Botox® is ubiquitous in our society. Love it or hate it, it seems like everyone from TV pundits to doctors to our grandma has an opinion on this incredible treatment! Along with all that talk comes a lot of misinformation about Botox®. We picked out 5 myths we most commonly hear from our patients about Botox® and are addressing the truth of the matter here:

Myth #1: Botox paralyzes the muscles

This is perhaps the most prevalent Botox® myth. In reality, Botox® is a muscle relaxant, the distinction being that it relaxes muscles, but doesn’t paralyze them. A Botox® injection blocks the connections between nerve endings in the muscle, preventing it from contracting and producing wrinkles.

Myth #2: Botox® is poison

This myth derives from Botox®’s association with the botulinum toxin, a form of food poisoning. Botox® is a purified protein derived from botulinum. It is made doubly safe by its precise administration to a certain muscle or group of muscles. The concentration of the toxin is low, preventing it from spreading outside the pinpointed area.

Myth #3: Botox® will freeze my face

This is why finding the right doctor is so important. Balance is the name of the game. The right amount of Botox® will prevent those face contractions that cause wrinkles, without losing the action of the muscles of expression. Injecting small doses into specific muscles will soften lines and wrinkles without diminishing your facial expressions.

Myth #4: Botox® is a new procedure

Actually, Botox® has been used by the medical community for 17 years. Before it was used to smooth lines, it was used for the treatment of neurological disorders. You might be hearing more about Botox® because as it has gained popularity, doctors have found more uses for the medicine. Today, doctors are using Botox® for excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), facial spasms, TMJ pain, and chronic neck and back pain.

Myth #5: Botox® causes drooping lids

Drooping eyelids, i.e., Ptosis, is a potential side effect of Botox®, but it is rare. Again, this is a reason to make sure you go to a trusted doctor with years of experience in administering Botox®. Never receive Botox® in a place that isn’t properly licensed!

Dr. Victor Mancha of AlluraDerm has administered Botox® thousands of times in his career. He is the top single provider of Botox® in New Mexico and in the top 1% of Botox® providers in the nation. If you are thinking about Botox® but aren’t sure if you’re ready to take the leap, call AlluraDerm at 505-821-9630 for a free initial consultation with Dr. Mancha. He’ll answer any questions you have about Botox®.