5 Botox Myths Debunked

Year after year, Botox® injections prove to be the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedure. In 2023, for instance, more than 8.8 million Botox injections were performed worldwide.

Botox, or Botulinum toxin, is a neurotoxic protein injected into targeted areas of your face to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It works by temporarily paralyzing your muscles in those areas, preventing them from contracting and forming wrinkles. 

Despite its massive popularity, though, plenty of myths still exist about Botox. Our team at Frederick H. Watkins, MD, is here to debunk a few of those myths today.

1. Botox makes your face freeze

It’s a common misconception that the results of Botox are permanent, and you’ll have to walk around with your face frozen in place forever. 

While it’s true that Botox does paralyze your muscles, the effect is temporary — it wears off in about four months. This means if you want to keep your skin looking smooth, you’ll need additional treatments every few months.

2. Botox isn’t safe

Botox isn’t a fly-by-night treatment dreamed up by back-alley quacks. It’s a well-respected procedure with an excellent track record that’s been approved by the FDA to treat wrinkles since 2002. You can rest easy when you receive a Botox injection from a licensed professional.

3. Botox works immediately

People may think they’ll walk out of the office with a wrinkle-free face, but the results aren’t immediate. You’ll likely begin to see improvements to your skin in just a few days, but it can take a couple of weeks to realize the full effects.

4. Botox injections are painful

It’s natural to think a needle injection will be painful, but that’s not the case with Botox. We’ll apply a numbing agent to the targeted area before the injection to prevent any pain. If you do feel anything at all, it’ll only be a small pinch.

5. If you stop using Botox, your wrinkles will get worse

People may be hesitant to use Botox because they think once they start, they won’t be able to stop or their wrinkles will be worse than before. The reverse is actually true! 

You can use Botox for as short or long a period as you want. If you decide to stop treatments, your wrinkles will return more slowly than if you hadn’t used Botox at all. 

Now that you know the truth about Botox, you can schedule an appointment for your injections as soon as you’re ready. Just call our location nearest you — Rockville, Maryland, or McLean, Virginia — or use our online scheduling tools to request a consultation.