Even if you’ve never been someone who has really considered Botox treatments, you can’t deny that the appeal is certainly there. Who doesn’t want to look younger or more supermodel airbrushed? If you feel down about all your wrinkles or how you look, Botox treatments may help boost your self-esteem and make you feel beautiful and sexy again. Indeed, the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology did a study and showed that patients who had Botox treatments done actually did feel happier — perhaps because they couldn’t frown! Additionally, people claim that Botox can also help alleviate other medical issues like headaches, joint pain, and crossed eyes. So even though the majority of people get Botox for cosmetic reasons, others may be getting it to find relief medically as well. You should of course, always talk to your dermatologist before looking into skin rejuvenation of any kind.
Who’s Getting Botox and What are the Numbers Like?
It’s been shown that the average age of a Botox patient is between the ages of 40 and 59 years old. However, some are getting it at a younger age, to try and prevent wrinkles from even occurring in the first place! More women stereotypically have Botox treatments, although some doctors have reported that in the last couple of years, the number of men in their offices has risen by 200%. It’s not just women who want to look good anymore! Indeed, between 2012 and 2013, the rate of Botox procedures went up by around 8%. And in 2013, $2.5 billion was spent on just injectables! Clearly, more and more people are embracing the powers of Botox to look younger and feel better.
Depending on what you’re getting done, the cost of Botox can be anywhere from $300-500. Most doctors charge per vial of Botox which can run between $10-$15 per vial and if you have severe wrinkles or a larger area to cover, the cost can go up steadily. However, over 80% of patients can see a visible improvement after just a week of treatments! It doesn’t take very long either — the average time is around a half hour. The treatments last around four months on average. If you’re worried about whether or not Botox is safe, don’t worry. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially stated that Botox treatments were approved and safe in 2002.
What are the Pros of Getting Botox Treatments?
For one thing, it’s very likely that you’ll feel younger and (most likely) happier when you see the Botox treatment beginning to work. You’re finally getting rid of all those wrinkles! If you’ve been worried about your appearance and feeling ugly or not sexy, this is sure to keep you feeling young and beautiful. And because your’e happier, you’re also more likely to radiate confidence and energy. Thirty patients were studied six weeks after they had one Botox treatment. Amazingly, they had almost a 50% reduction depression after having had the treatment.
Beyond just the mental and physical effects of Botox, it can also be used to alleviate some pain. This may be surprising to some consumers, but getting Botox injections can actually alleviate the symptoms of migraine headaches for up to 3 months! This is based on studies of Botox users in both Britain and the United States. In some cases, using Botox can even help correct crossed eyes! When the eye muscles relax, they aren’t fighting each other, and may even facilitate healing. Additionally, if you use Botox on other areas of your body other than your face and neck, it can help with joint pain. The jury is still out on whether or not it could help those who suffer from arthritis. Multiple sources also cite that it can help with bladder or incontinence issues and profuse sweating! So much for Botox just being a cosmetic procedure!
It is important to keep in mind that Botox is only a temporary procedure, so if you want to keep the wrinkles (and headaches) at bay, you’ll have to return for continuous procedures. However, if it makes you happy and is safe, by all means follow the old adage: look good, feel good!