Botulinum toxin injections: myths and truth?

Ludmila Stavro-Freiberga, head of the Panacea Premium beauty clinic in Riga, talks about the most common myths surrounding the popular cosmetic procedure—botulinum toxin injections.

Myth No. 1: “You should be afraid of botulinum toxin injections because it is a toxin”

It should immediately be noted that this preparation has long been successfully used in paediatric neurology—in doses 500 times greater or even higher. Please note: not 5 times or 50 times, but 500 times greater doses. At the same time, it has no harmful effect on the body. The preparation acts locally, within the muscle into which it was injected. Botulinum toxin injections have no systemic effect on the body whatsoever.

Myth No. 2: “Botulinum toxin injections cause the eyelids to droop”

Indeed, if a “not particularly good” specialist performs forehead wrinkle correction, such a situation may occur. On the other hand, even such a side effect resolves on its own and, secondly, can easily be eliminated. Instead of worrying about a possible specialist’s mistake, one should go to a reputable clinic and take extra care to verify the quality of the preparation, as well as ensure that the specialist has the appropriate qualifications and good reviews.

Myth No. 3: “Botulinum toxin injections cause compensatory wrinkles to form”

Even if some compensatory wrinkles appear, this happens very rarely, and a specialist knows that they can be dealt with easily and straightforwardly.

The effect of botulinum toxin lasts for up to six months. During this time, a person’s facial expressions may change—the person may practically not use the muscle group that was treated with the preparation. After six months, when botulinum toxin is eliminated from the body naturally, the facial muscles have time to adapt to the changes, and the treated muscle group remains at rest for some time.

“I would like to emphasise that, despite many patients’ fears and widespread myths, botulinum toxin injections are the most sought-after procedure worldwide—and not without reason,” Ludmila concludes. “When comparing the investment, the changes achieved and the durability of those changes, this is the ‘superb’ combination of price and quality among aesthetic medical procedures. Be careful, but don’t believe fairy tales!”

Information prepared by Advanced Learning & Communications agency, www.alc.lv