Researchers estimate that the global Botox market will reach 7.9 billion in 2026, after showing a post COVID-19 compound annual growth rate of 8.6%. These numbers show that the pandemic did little to slow the growth of the Botox industry, which is now shedding its image of exclusivity and achieving greater levels of social acceptance.
The normalization of Botox can be attributed to its increased affordability and the accessibility of information about its benefits, properties, and effects. Therefore, for the industry to gain complete mainstream acceptance, it’s important to dispel the myths and misconceptions surrounding Botox and other minimally invasive procedures.
Myth 1: Botox will freeze your facial muscles
When injected, Botulinum toxin type A, the drug that makes up Botox, blocks nerve signals from reaching facial muscles. The procedure, in effect, relaxes the muscles, and only limits movement within the targeted area. The rest of your muscles retain their full range of motion.
Myth 2: Botox injections are painful
Most people don’t feel any pain when going through the procedure. Of course, this can be different depending on the individual and their level of pain tolerance, but in general, Botox needles are too small to cause any significant discomfort.
Myth 3: Botox treatments are toxic
Botulinum toxin type A is considered a neurotoxin, but because it’s administered in small doses, it is generally harmless, and the risks are extremely minimal.
Online health and wellness website SymptomFind has many articles on skincare, and outlines that Botox injections are in fact safe. The treatment has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, and is a non-surgical and minimally invasive procedure that also serves as an approved treatment for chronic migraines, overactive bladders, and excessive underarm sweating. That being said, you need to ensure that a licensed professional administers your treatment, such as a physician or cosmetologist, to ensure the procedure is performed correctly.
Myth 4: Botox is permanent
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that Botox treatments last for about 3-4 months on average. Results vary, and it’s possible for the treatment to last longer (6 months), or shorter (2 months), depending on the individual. After that, the nerves regain their ability to send signals to the facial muscles.
Your body might even develop a resistance to Botox after a long period of repeated dosage. If you are worried about Botox losing its effect on your muscles, there are similar alternatives like Dysport and Xeomin. Xeomin also contains Botulinum toxin A, but unlike Botox, it contains no other additives. This reduces the risk of developing neurotoxin resistance.
Myth 5: Wrinkles will worsen when Botox fades
When the neurotoxin wears off, the facial muscles simply return to their natural state. Muscles can weaken after repeated dosage over a long period of time, but this does little to exacerbate the appearance of wrinkles.
Myth 6: Botox can be addictive
Botox contains no addictive properties or elements. It’s possible to develop an addiction to cosmetic procedures, but Psychology Today explains that these addictions are never caused by the procedures themselves. Instead, they are rooted in psychological issues like Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), which is a condition characterized by an extreme preoccupation with perceived physical flaws. The causes of BDD include genetics, experiences with abuse or bullying, or other mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and OCD.