Sydney Botulinum injections (BoTox for short) is now established in Sydney society in fact it is fast becoming an integral part of any beauty routine for people in Sydney. Still I never cease to be astounded by the various urban legends which have been heard about this treatment.

I have listed below some of the popular myths which we come across all the time at Star Cosmetic Medicine, where I practise as a doctor.

Mistaken Belief Number 1: I may lose the ability to express emotions!

There are sixty or so muscles underneath the skin of your face. Their persistent use may result in fine line formation. If surplus BoTox is injected the muscular structure which are responsible for the expression of emotions may become too relaxed. The amount injected by most doctors will result in you seeming ‘refreshed’, but still you will maintain your facial expression.

Indeed the right quantity of BoTox in the right place means you should have a reduction in any fine lines without compromising facial expression.

Mistaken Belief Number 2: Botulinum is a toxic substance!
This to some extent is true. Botulinum Toxin Type A is the exact pharmacological terminology. An overdose may loosen facial muscles that you do not want relaxed or may cause sickness.

Pharmacists have a well known phrase that states ‘everything is poisonous – it all depends on the dose’. A large dose of any medication can cause sickness. If you drink too much water it can be fatal.

Mistaken Belief Number 3: It will hurt!
Your hairs are larger than the hypodermic needles we use at Star Cosmetic Medicine. Many patients state that the treatments are not worse than bug bites. For Certain not in the same ball park as compared to getting a regular shot.

Mistaken Belief Number 4: I might lose feeling in my face!
Totally incorrect. BoTox affects the junction between the nerve and the facial muscle, not sensate nerves. Only the ability to relax your muscles is affected by BoTox.

Mistaken Belief Number 5. You cannot stop getting BoTox or else the wrinkles become worse!
This is also incorrect.

A treatment lasts around three months. Any treatments after the first one should last a few weeks more. Gradually as muscle strength returns to normal, the wrinkles will eventually re-emerge. Nevertheless they definitely won’t be more pronounced than before the treatment began.

Even if you never had BoTox shots again – any wrinkles should be less severe than if you hadn’t undergone the treatment. Due to the fact that your skin has had a ‘wrinkle holiday’ when the BoTox was working.