RealSelf members give it a 95% Worth It Rating. It’s the number-one noninvasive cosmetic procedure in the U.S. year after year. And it was one of the top five most researched procedures among women on RealSelf in 2020. We’re talking about Botox. In the past two decades, the cosmetic treatment has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity. Botox is now not only a common word in our cultural lexicon but also a regular beauty staple for millions of women and men.
But despite its widespread popularity, there are still plenty of misconceptions about this popular injection. Here, we debunk the top 10 biggest myths.
Myth 1: You’ll look even older, once Botox wears off
“Your face will not look worse if you stop injections after your first treatment wears off,” says Dr. Melda A. Isaac, a board-certified dermatologist in Washington, D.C. “However, it will go back to the same condition it was in before—and, of course, your face will continue to age with time.” Dr. Konstantin Vasyukevich, a New York City board-certified plastic surgeon, agrees: “Botox doesn’t cause any new lines, but because patients haven’t seen these wrinkles for an extended period of time, they may feel like they’ve developed more of them,” he says.
So don’t be afraid to give it a try, even if you aren’t quite ready to commit. “Even intermittent injections can relax the dynamic muscles that cause wrinkling sufficiently to slow down the aging process just a bit,” says Dr. Isaac. And if you do end up getting Botox regularly, you ultimately may need less of it. “Regular Botox can actually retrain certain muscles to move less, leading to smoother skin, with a lesser need for Botox over time,” explains Dr. Vasyukevich.
Myth 2: Botox is addictive
It’s also worth pointing out that Botox, in and of itself, is not the least bit addictive, says Dr. Y. Claire Chang, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. it’s more so that people come to love the results they achieve and want to continue getting treatments, she says.
Related: Derms Weigh In on How Well These At-Home Botox Alternatives Actually Work
Myth 3: Botox delivers instant gratification
It’s impossible to look 10 years younger in 10 minutes, so try to manage your expectations. “Many initiates will claim they see the effect as soon as the fluid is injected into their lines,” says Dr. Lavinia K. Chong, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Newport Beach, California. In reality, it can take up to two weeks to show results. “The average female patient will require three to five days to appreciate the blockade,” says Dr. Chong. “A male patient who has thicker skin and stronger muscles may take up to 10 days.”
Myth 4: You can’t get Botox under your eyes
While Botox is commonly used around the crow’s-feet, it is true that under-eye injections are much less common. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be done. “For the right candidate, under-eye Botox can help open up the eyes and soften fine lines in the area,” Dr. Chang explains. That being said, it’s even more important than usual to find an experienced injector who can both determine if you’re the right candidate and administer the injections properly; if done incorrectly, under-eye Botox can negatively affect the shape of the eyes, cautions Dr. Vasyukevich.
Myth 5: All neurotoxins are Botox
Similarly to how we refer to any tissue as a Kleenex or any lip balm as a ChapStick, Botox is one brand name that’s often used to refer to neurotoxin injections across the board. There are actually four different types of neurotoxin available on the market—Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau. They’re all different types of botulinum toxin that differ slightly in terms of structure, potency, duration, and storage requirements, explains Dr. Chang. As far as their effects and results go, they’re all very similar, and the differences among them are largely anecdotal. However, prices can vary from brand to brand, so it may be worth discussing with your provider which ones they offer. Dr. Vasyukevich points out that many people aren’t aware that there are various options available.
Myth 6: Botox and fillers are the same thing
While they’re both very popular types of cosmetic injections, they’re extremely different. (And both Dr. Chang and Dr. Vasyukevich mention that patients commonly confuse the two.) “Although they’ve both been marketed to help with wrinkles and creases, botulinum toxin helps relax muscles, to improve dynamic wrinkles, which occur due to facial expression. Filler injections help fill and volumize areas that have lost fat or collagen,” explains Dr. Chang. The latter most often contain hyaluronic acid, though there are other types of dermal fillers out there.
Related: 9 Celebrities Who Are Refreshingly Open About Their Love of Botox
Myth 7: Cosmetic surgery can replace Botox
One might think that a more invasive cosmetic procedure, such as a facelift, would be a better option than Botox injections, but that’s not necessarily the case. Dr. Vasyukevich says that his patients often say they want cosmetic surgery in order to stop spending money on Botox, but it’s not quite so simple. “Facial rejuvenation surgery is great at tightening skin laxity, but it’s not the best at eliminating wrinkles around the forehead. Patients may very well need routine Botox, even after a more invasive cosmetic surgery,” he explains.
Myth 8: Botox poisons the body
It’s an understandable misconception, given the fact that yes, this is a toxin, after all. But what most people don’t realize is that unlike other injected medications, Botox is absorbed into the muscle and doesn’t travel far from the site of injection, says Dr. Vasyukevich.
Myth 9: Botox freezes your face
People often mistakenly believe that Botox will make them unable to show emotions, but that couldn’t be further from the truth when done by an experienced injector. “Botox isn’t a one-size-fits-all or all-or-nothing treatment. There are many methods of injecting Botox that can achieve a wide variety of desired looks. A doctor can successfully smooth out a patient’s wrinkles while also preserving the natural movement of the face,” points out Dr. Vasyukevich. “Just be clear with your physician about your goals. Remember that less is more. Your doctor can always tweak [things] next time,” advises Dr. Heidi A. Waldorf, a board-certified dermatologist in Nanuet, New York.
Myth 10: Botox is for wrinkles only
It may have gained fame as a wrinkle eraser, but this injection has a variety of other uses. From treating migraines or excessive sweating to alleviating TMJ symptoms or an overactive bladder, Botox is the ultimate Renaissance treatment. Women and men in their 20s are even looking at this as a preventative treatment. “I have found over the years that Botox is especially wonderful for my younger patients because it treats the existing wrinkles and prevents new ones,” says Dr. Michele S. Green, a dermatologist in New York City. “Just try to use sunblock daily to prevent new wrinkles as well.”
