|
It’s no secret in today’s day and age, where youth and beauty is valued above all else, it’s no surprise to see the exploding popularity of botox treatments. But now people who have botox injections may give you more wrinkles next to the ones they remove. This was revealed by doctors who said that the popular wrinkle fighter that is used by celebrities and thousands of men and women worldwide may do more harm than good in the long run.
Dr David Becker, assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York , said that while Botox is safe when used properly, it eventually creates new wrinkles. This happens because the paralyzed facial muscles force other muscles to move in an effort to recreate the facial expressions that botox has blocked.
“What can happen is that other nearby muscles compensate - this can have the effect of actually creating new wrinkles,” Becker said.
One of the areas where Botox is commonly used is the scowl line between the eyebrows. When injected, Botox temporarily paralyzes the muscles there and its freezing effects prevent people from frowning. Since there is no muscle contraction, no wrinkles are formed. But the procedure comes with a price.
“In this case, following treatment, muscles in the upper nose, middle eyebrow and eyelid may try to recreate the expression of a scowl. Repetitions of this action cause new wrinkles,” warned Becker.
Although the new wrinkles are usually less prominent, Becker said more injections are needed to treat them, creating a vicious cycle. To avoid further problems, the patient can stop treatment or use Botox elsewhere. In any case, Becker said doctors and patients should be aware of this risk.
Botox is a drug made from a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, and is injected under the skin to temporarily relax facial muscles, smoothing lines and wrinkles. Patients can expect results to last three to to four months. Repeated injections cause the muscles to thin, producing longer lasting results.
The study is published in the journal Cosmetic Dermatology, which is the official publication of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery.
| 
