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Women are still the main consumer of aesthetic treatments, but according to recent studies, the number of men having cosmetic procedures is trending upward.
Botox, Dysport and Xeomin are some of the popular botulinum toxin injections that provide anti-aging benefits for men and women.
In this article, we explore why men are resorting to controversial Botox and filler treatments. We also explain what’s involved in the treatment and the risks you should be aware of.
What is Botox?
Botulinum toxin, commonly called Botox or “Brotox” in mainstream men circles is a neurotoxin produced by a type of bacteria known as Clostridium Botulinum.
Despite being one of the deadliest toxins known to men, Botox is frequently used in extremely small quantities to treat a wide range of medical problems other than smoothing facial wrinkles, such as:
Severe underarm sweating
Cervical dystonia: a neurological disorder that causes severe neck and shoulder muscle contractions
Blepharospasm: uncontrollable blinking
Strabismus: misaligned eyes
Chronic migraine
Overactive bladder
How does Botox work on your face?
Botulinum toxin or Botox is dangerous in large quantities because it destroys nerves and vital proteins. If used in tiny dosage, it temporarily weakens muscle contractions by blocking signals routinely exchanged between facial muscles and nerves.
By weakening muscle contractions and blocking nerve signals, the skin above the facial muscle can remain smooth and wrinkle-free.
For men with deep forehead wrinkles and crow’s feet, Botox could be the way to turning back the clock on their appearance.
What are the more popular injection sites for men?
In our clinic and in most aesthetic
practices, men seek Botox treatment in:
the corners of the eyes to prevent crow’s feet
between the eyebrows to target frown lines
the forehead to reduce creases
around the mouth to target laugh lines
Why are men getting Botox injections?
The main reason for men to get Botox injections is to reduce the signs of aging and the related benefits for looking younger. Here are some other reasons men consider:
Botox is a speedy non-surgical solution to wrinkles and fine lines:
Botox is a non-surgical procedure that doesn’t require anaesthesia, generally. The procedure takes only a few minutes compared to surgical procedures like facelifts, which can take up to 4 hours to complete. That’s not even counting the recovery time for such procedures, which can take weeks.
Botox is often referred to as a “lunchtime procedure” because you can have it during your lunch break and be back at work in the same day. While there is no recovery time for Botox, most men decide to take the day off in case they have noticeable swelling or bruising.
Botox can enhance your appearance
The biggest benefit to using Botox injections is getting a more youthful look.
Botox is an effective drug to erase unwanted wrinkles and facial lines, as well as preventing new wrinkles from forming.
Looking younger could be a means to an end of remaining competitive in the workplace. Some work industries such as services and hospitality may indirectly put pressure on men to look their best at work. In many fields, older men can be passed up for promotions while younger men have greater career opportunities.
The rise of social media and online dating apps such as tinder, grindr and many others are a motivating factor for some men who want to look their best for their online profiles.
Botox can boost self-esteem
A few wrinkles are fine, but too many can make a man appear much older than he truly is. Whether it’s from certain lifestyle choices or simply genetics, premature wrinkles and lines can make any man feel self-conscious about his appearance.
Botox can erase signs of aging, thereby boosting your confidence and mood. In fact, there is some evidence to suggest that Botox can reduce symptoms of major depression.
Similarly, it can open doors for men in their careers and personal lives. This can lead to a boost in their quality of life and happiness.
What to think about before you have Botox injections?
If you're thinking about having Botox injections, we advise you to be clear about why you want them and to be realistic about what can be achieved.
Make sure the person doing your Botox injections is suitably qualified and experienced. Our own Aesthetic Therapist, Valeria is a registered nurse prescriber and a qualified aesthetics therapist.
If you’re planning to have Botox treatment for an upcoming function or event, be sure to do it weeks in advance. Although the procedure is less than 15 minutes, it can take up to 3 weeks to see results.
During the procedure, your face will be cleaned, and the area being treated will be especially disinfected before injecting botulinum toxin using a very fine needle.
You'll need injections in different places, depending on the area being treated and you’re likely to leave the clinic with tenderness, swelling and wrinkles still visible – rather then looking visibly younger.
In most cases, it takes about 2 to 3 days for the toxin to start working and 2 to 3 weeks to notice any visible difference.
Your therapist will recommend that you avoid massaging your face, exercising, sunbathing and using hot tubs and saunas for a minimum of 2 days. You will be provided with a full list of things you should and shouldn’t do during your consultation.
The effects of Botox last for about 3 to 4 months. It’s recommended that you allow at least 3 months between Botox injection treatments.
What are the risks?
As with most drugs and medical procedures, there are minimal risks to be weighed and considered before deciding to have Botox injections. Your therapist should be able to explain these fully during your consultation, depending on your situation.
Reported side effects of Botox include headache and cold-like symptoms for the first 24 hours. You may feel pain and get redness, swelling and bruising at the site of the injection. Temporary drooping of the upper eyelid may occur, depending on the injection location.
In some rare cases double vision or breathing difficulties were reported.
Longer term risks of Botox are minimal. Cosmetic Botox has been around for over 20 years and it is deemed safe for long-term use. However, some dermatologic surgeons have voiced concerns that injecting a toxin into the facial tissue repeatedly will have long-term consequences. Hence the recommendation to wait at least 3 months between treatments.
Although more studies are needed, some research suggests that repeated Botox injections may weaken facial muscles and turn muscles into fat. This muscle loss raises important questions about the safety of Botox and men will need to take this risk into consideration.
What's next?
If you’re ready to explore whether Botox injections are right for you, then you should book your free consultation with Valeria who will guide you through the information and answer your questions.
All good results begin with an expert personalised consultation. This is exactly what Valeria is happy to offer you. Get in touch here.