Botox and "Unrealistic Quest for Physical Perfection"

Blogger Mark Frauenfelder writes (here) that "The problem is that Botox prevents people from responding with appropriate anger to things that aren’t good for them. Facial paralysis blocks one of our most important and primal forms of communication." He concludes by stating "The unrealistic quest for physical perfection that drives people to Botox is similar to the equally unrealistic quest for a life free of negative emotions. It looks like Botox may actually grant people both, and, in the process, leave them greatly impoverished." How do you respond to this author's view of Botox?

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Extreme View of Botox & the Patients who use it

Hi Tom, I agree in essence with Mr. Frauenfelder's concerns about a society wherein the quest for physical perfection and a perfect "trouble free" life is indeed unhealthy and quite far removed from a realistic perspective on our natural physical state and the "ups & downs" that life presents us all with. However based on this excerpt of his blog, I also strongly feel that he does not possess a true understanding or experience of what Botox does and why the average... more

Kamran Jafri, MD

New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.custom-lift.com

The goal of Botox to achieve a positive facial dynamic

Tom, The intention of Botox is not to paralyze the face or to hide emotions. The intention is to soften or reduce the wrinkles and form a positive facial dynamic - maintaining facial animation. It is an over generalization to say that people using Botox are looking for perfection or looking for life without negative emotions. However, what is wrong with being happy? If the wrinkles on your forehead or around your eyes drive you crazy, then why not improve them. Additionally, it is an... more

Mark Frauenfelder article, or Would the World Be a Better Place Without Botox?

Hi, Great article/blog by Mark Frauenfelder, very thought provoking (http://www.good.is/?p=13784). Studies have shown that depression is helped by Botox. The facial feedback hypothesis mentioned in the article may explain this finding. Studies and real life are not the same though. Looking at pictures and imitating expressions of happiness and sadness or anger is completely different from real life situations where we are faced with emotional stimuli. When performed properly, patients... more

Michael A. Persky, MD

21 reviews

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

drpersky.com

His view is wrong in several ways

Firstly, the statement that "Botox prevents people fromresponding with appropriate anger" is factually incorrect; Botox may soften expressions, but does not prevent anger! The better way to see this is that people who say that friends tell them that they look angry all the time when they aren't, use Botox to help convey their true state of mind more accurately and more positively. Secondly, I take issue with the statement about an "unrealistic quest for physical perfection... more

Botox is not opposition to the modern "natural state"

I normally try to avoid the "agree" type posts here, but Dr. Jafri has framed the issue wonderfully and I agree wholeheartedly. Botox is a tool - it has risks and benefits. It is the physician's job to explain the issues clearly, determine whether the treatment is appropriate for the indvidual patient (taking into account all of the issues including psychological ones) and then perform the procedure in a safe manner. If the author of the blog wishes to return to a "more... more

Properly done Botox lets you express emotion.

Hi. This is basically nonsense, except the part about unrealistic quest for perfection. With properly done Botox, you can experience emotion and you can express emotion with your face.

A Very Deep Interpretation of Botox

While we respect this author's opinion of the reasons consumers use Botox, we would respectfully disagree. Our patients use Botox not to hide or mask anger, but to help their outside appearance look as young as their inner self feels. We hear over and over from our patients that they still feel 20 years old but that their appearance no longer reflects that attitude. Botox helps patients accomplish this. We find the analysis of this author a bit far reaching when it comes to the reason why... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD

4 reviews

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

Botox is effective for Dynamic Wrinkles of the Face: Reduce Wrinkles with Botox

Botox is effective and extremely gratifying for patients with wrinkles. It is purely an elective procedure with an outstanding safety profile in experienced hands. However, it is an elective procedure for those wishing to maintain a more youthful look. Just like anything else in this great nation we live in, Botox is an elective choice and everyone has the right to choose to have Botox or not. Judgements aside, it is not up to the social public to judge anyone who wishes to spend their... more

Interesting

I was not a philosophy major, but.....Botox in my practice is used to soften facial lines of animation so that they appear less obvious. Botox in my hands does not remove all facial expression. I don't want that, and my patients certainly don't want that. No one wants to look like a robot. I go for the more natural freshened look.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

I disagree, but there is some truth in the blog

Hi Tom, I read the blog, and it makes some interesting comments and references, but from a very superficial and uninformed point of view. If a patient with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) intentionally wanted to have zero movement and zero facial expression to their face, this is possible to do this with botox. This is the point of view the blogger is coming from, but how many people actually do this? Few if any. This point of view comes from some television personalities who have... more