BOTOX

Is Botox Safe?

Botox® has been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) since 2002 for use in cosmetic procedures. It is one of the safest and most well studied cosmetic treatments available today. We have performed Botox treatments on thousands of patients in our Birmingham, Michigan MedSpa with spectacular and safe results.

In fact, Botox® Cosmetic is the only treatment currently approved by the FDA to temporarily improve the appearance of both moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows, moderate to severe forehead lines, and crow’s feet lines in adults.

Botox Statistics

Currently Botox is approved for cosmetic use in 78 countries. Because it has been in use for more than 15 years, Botox® Cosmetic is one of the most extensively studied beauty treatments. The safety and effectiveness of Botox® Cosmetic have been proven in multiple clinical trials as well as in 417 peer-reviewed articles in scientific and medical journals.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Botox® Cosmetic continues to be the number minimally invasive cosmetic treatment in the U.S. and around the world. And, according to their most recent report, the popularity of Botox continues to grow. They reported that in 2019 alone, 7,697,798 Botox procedures were conducted – and increase of 4% over 2018. And, more than 12.9 million vials of Botox® Cosmetic have been sold in the U.S. since 2002.

Because of its unique formulation of a highly purified botulinum toxin protein (refined from the bacterium) there is no “generic” form of Botox® Cosmetic. While there are other “neurotoxins” on the market, there are no other products on the market proven or approved to do everything that Botox® Cosmetic does.

Botox Side Effects

In clinical studies an extremely small percentage of patients had any complications from Botox. Only about 1% of patients experienced eyelid swelling in the studies on patients being treated with Botox for crow’s feet. Approximately three percent of patients being treated for frown lines experienced some eyelid drooping.

Other possible side effects include: dry mouth; dry eyes; tiredness; headache; neck pain; and in some people allergic reactions. More serious – but extremely rare side effects can include eye problems such as double vision, blurred vision, and decreased eyesight.

Because these complications are possible – although extremely rare – it is important to have your Botox administered by a Board Certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Ali who has performed thousands of Botox procedures.

In the hands of a skilled, experienced, board certified cosmetic surgeon like Dr. Ali, Botox injections have a very low risk of side effects or complication.

Botox® Cosmetic is a sensitive treatment that requires experience, artistic technique and medical know-how. Be wary of discount products or “cheap” Botox treatments – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Facial injections are not something on which you want to cut corners!

Remember, Botox is a “toxin” that paralyzes the muscles and releases the wrinkles or lines. When performed by a skilled and experienced nurse or doctor it is extremely safe. But when performed improperly by someone who is inexperienced it can result in serious side effects.