And how to know if it's right for you…
Botox is the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatment in the world
Even in 2020, the year we were all confined to our homes for much of the year, over 6.2 million Botox injections were performed worldwide – 4.4 million of which were in the USA.
So what is it that makes Botox a must-have for so many people?
Its biggest appeal, and what it's best known for, is undoubtedly its ability to eliminate unwanted wrinkles and keep us looking as young and fresh-faced as we feel inside!
But the benefits of Botox are far more wide-ranging than that alone…
So whether you're thinking of getting Botox for the first time, are already a fan and want to know what else it could do for you, or if you're just curious as to why this famous treatment is quite so popular, we're here to answer your questions!
What is Botox?
First off, "Botox®" is actually a brand. It's a type of neurotoxin – called "botulinum toxin" – and it was the first ever injectable form of the neurotoxin to be approved for treating the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Because it was the first, it's by far the most famous – so much so, it's become the generalized term for this type of treatment. However, there are other equally good brands of similar injectables on the market, such as Dysport® and Xeomin®, which most top medical spas (including us at BodyTonic) also offer.
Botox and other cosmetic injectables are most commonly used to treat the unwanted signs of aging, such as:
- Frown lines
- Forehead lines
- Crow's feet
- Lines around the mouth
- General wrinkles
However, it has a surprisingly long list of other uses – both cosmetic and medical – and better still, it's safe, convenient, non-invasive, long-lasting, and much more.
Here are Botox's best benefits and uses – both the better-known, and the lesser-known:
The 7 Top Benefits of Botox
Benefit #1. It Enhances Your Natural Beauty & Makes You Look Younger
Botox's best-known and most popular benefits are its ability to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, prevent new ones from forming, and refresh and rejuvenate your appearance – all of which combine to make you look younger and brighter, and feel more confident. It works by relaxing the facial muscles that create lines and wrinkles and stopping their ability to contract. And because it's precisely customized, you have total control over the effect you want to achieve.
Benefit #2. It's Fast, Convenient, and Non-Invasive
Cosmetic Injectables are one of the most convenient cosmetic treatments available, usually only taking around 15 minutes in total – so you can easily do it on your lunch break!
The treatment simply consists of injecting the serum into the targeted muscles using a fine needle, and it's practically pain-free – so it's non-invasive, needs no anesthetic, and you're ready to carry on your day immediately after.
Benefit #3. No Downtime / Easy Recovery
There's no downtime at all following a Botox treatment. There may be a little redness or swelling immediately after treatment, but this will usually be gone within a few hours. There are a few recommendations post-Botox, such as avoiding exercise for a few days and being careful not to rub the treated areas, but for the most part you can carry on your normal routine without interruption.
Benefit #4. Amazing Results Within Days
One of the most satisfying benefits of Botox is how quickly you start to see the results. Within just a few days you'll notice wrinkles, crow's feet, and other fine lines begin to disappear, and you'll see the optimal results within about 10 days, which will then last for at least three or four months.
Benefit #5. Long-Lasting Results
Generally speaking, the results of a Botox treatment will last around four months. However, with regular treatments the overall results will last far longer, as your muscles are trained to relax, meaning they'll learn to contract less and less over time, even if you eventually stop having the treatment. Regular Botox treatments also prevent new wrinkles from having the opportunity to form, ensuring a younger fresher-faced look for longer.
Benefit #6. It's Inexpensive
Compared to surgical procedures or even luxury skin-care products, Botox is extremely affordable – and even more so when you consider the money you'll save on other products and treatments, thanks to its ability to prevent new wrinkles forming. Cosmetic injectables are measured in units – the number of units you'll need will vary by person, and can be customized to suit your budget. A lot of med spas (and we at BodyTonic Cleveland are no exception!) offer generous member programs with discounted rates for regular treatments, too.
Benefit #7. It's Safe
So long as it's performed by an experienced medical practitioner, Botox and other reputable cosmetic injectables are completely safe, and suitable for most adults.
Botox® was FDA approved in 2002, with the likes of Dysport® and Xeomin® coming to the market shortly after. However, as with any type of treatment, it's vital that you have an in-depth consultation with a professional who reviews your medical status and history before starting treatment, to ensure you're a good candidate.
The Amazing "Lesser-Known" Benefits of Botox
If all the above wasn't enough, Botox has a surprising number of other lesser-known (but equally impressive!) benefits and uses. Here are our favorites –
1. It's Not Only for Frown Lines and Wrinkles
Botox can be used to enhance your appearance in many more ways than just eliminating wrinkles and fine lines on your face:
Smoothen your neck:
Often referred to as a "Botox necklace", Botox can also get rid of the horizontal lines that may start to appear around your neck with age.
Rejuvenate your decolletage:
Age and sun gradually cause wrinkles and lines to appear across a woman's cleavage, which Botox can also treat.
Soften your jawline:
If you grind your teeth, you may notice your jawline expands over time. Botox can shrink this expanded muscle, which narrows the jawline as well as relieves any associated pain.
Tighten your jowls:
If the skin around your jawline isn't as tight as it once was, a bit of Botox injected along the jawbone can lift and tighten the skin, making it look more defined.
Get a subtle "lift”:
When strategically injected, Botox can be a great subtle alternative to plastic surgery: it can lift a drooping brow, create fuller lips, lift the tip of the nose for a non-surgical nose-job effect, and more!
2. It Treats a Range of Medical Conditions
Botox is also used to treat a variety of medical conditions that can be extremely painful, debilitating, and often emotionally upsetting.
Completely unrelated to wrinkles and aging, Botox® the wonder-substance can also be used to:
- Treat chronic migraines
- Correct cross or lazy eye
- Reduce eye twitching
- Alleviate an overactive bladder
- Reduce excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
- Relieve joint pain and muscle spasms (such as TMJ, which affects the jaw, and cervical dystonia, which causes involuntary and painful neck contractions)
As with any medical condition, it's vital to consult with a trained specialist in the concerned area before undergoing any treatment. While most medical spas will be able to give you advice, and some may be able to treat certain medical conditions, it's important to discuss it with your GP or specialist before starting treatment. Plus – most medical-use Botox treatments are usually covered by insurance too, if prescribed by your doctor.
3. It Can Improve Acne
Botox automatically reduces oil production in the treated areas, which means that people prone to acne typically find that their skin clears up with ongoing Botox injections!
Botox will never claim to be an acne "cure", or even the best acne treatment available, but it does have an undoubted beneficial side-effect of helping to keep acne under control.
Is Botox Right for Me?
One of the best things about Botox is that it's suitable for almost everyone – men and women, and most age groups. So long as your general health is good, you're likely to be a candidate, and will be able to enjoy the benefits of Botox.
However, exactly how much, how often, and where to use Botox will all depend on you as an individual – your age, the results you want to achieve, and what other treatments you may be interested in.
So – as with all cosmetic treatments and procedures, an in-depth consultation with an experienced and qualified practitioner is the best way to find out if Botox is right for you.
At BodyTonic Med Spa, we always start with completely free, no obligation, in-depth consultations, so that we can recommend the very best treatments for every individual.
So if you're in the Cleveland area and want to know if Botox is right for you, schedule a consultation today – and let us recommend the perfect treatments to achieve the exact results you want.
And while you're here, why not follow us on Facebook and Instagram – for inspiration on other amazing beauty treatments, BodyTonic news, and of course… to be the first to hear of our in-Spa special offers!
BodyTonic Med Spa Cleveland. Where beauty is an artform.
