Benson KIHIU
- Jul 22, 2022
- 4 min read

Could Botox be harming your health?

Botox is most famously used for its cosmetic purposes. According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, Botox injections are the most popular cosmetic procedure nationwide, with over 7 million people having had Botox treatments in 2016. The toxin is derived from the botulism bacteria and serves as a muscle relaxant, and can be used to treat medical conditions such as asthma, lung disorders, cancer, and migraine headaches, among others. The drug represents a powerful medical tool.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Botox for the treatment of certain muscles spasticity associated with cerebral palsy and Tourette syndrome. The drug is injected directly into affected areas to prevent or reduce muscle contractions. The use of Botox for other purposes is still considered experimental. Research suggests that a chemical in the drug known as botulinum toxin A can be used to treat cases of overactive bladder, which causes uncontrolled urination, stress incontinence caused by coughing or sneezing, hoarseness from too loud voice during speaking and singing, and vocal fold paralysis from MSSA.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels

Popularity

While Botox sales have grown significantly since its development in 1989, the increase has been more noticeable in the last decade. The largest trend has been more and more celebrities who have seen good results with Botox injections. People are not only willing to inject themselves with this material that is composed of a neurotoxin and can be potentially dangerous, but they are also willing to pay for it. For instance, Botox sales were just a little over $300m in 2001. As of 2020, the sales reached $1.9 billion and accounted for nearly half of manufacturer Allergan's overall revenue.

For some, injecting themselves with Botox is a way of living life on the edge and showing their youthfulness in them against old age. It has become such a phenomenon that even celebrities and supermodels often take these injections. As an example, there is Kim Kardashian, who revealed getting Botox injections even though she has never tried plastic surgery. On average about 0.5% to 20% of people use Botox, with the beauty industry responsible for up to a fifth of all use. Botox is prevalent in many parts of the world, but its popularity has increased proportionally more in each part, except for North America.

Safety

Although the treatment is generally considered safe and doctors use it liberally, in part because of the view that it’s a relatively harmless and temporary solution to real and imagined ailments, the FDA issued a strong warning to patients considering Botox injections. It urged them not to use the medication unless they first seek advice from their doctor about possible risks.

The FDA has found that Botox products are often misused and can cause serious complications. Patients should discuss potential side effects with their doctor before undergoing any procedures of this type. While this is a mild review, it may seem like yet another hurdle placed in the way of beauty-obsessed consumers looking for solutions when they're struggling with wrinkles or acne scars. However, it is important to remember that Botox injections are dangerous when not administered properly, and doctors need to be aware of these potential risks before prescribing them as treatments for patients' problems.

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels

Recently, the FDA ordered the maker of Botox, Allergan, to conduct a review of all transactions involving Botox products. In particular, these transactions are those between doctors, Endo Pharmaceuticals, and Allergan. Several patients have already died following Botox injections by other doctors. This is leading the FDA to press for further measures to protect patients from this problem. So, what kinds of Botox risks are involved? What does the FDA primarily want you to know about these products?

First, consumers must understand that most problems with Botox-based products happen when they are injected into the wrong muscles or injected in other areas where they don't belong, such as around blood vessels or nerves. Botox toxin could also spread to other parts of the body. The toxin itself could cause a variety of health problems. However, if you are already over 60 years of age, the toxin is unlikely to have any ill effects, and Botox safety does not apply to people who have started the process of aging. So, for those in their late 50s or early 60s and planning on Botox injections, may be at risk of having side effects on different body parts. Injecting this substance can cause serious damage to other body organs like muscles and nerves as well as cause paralysis among some individuals which is why it should only be done by qualified physicians.

Potential Health Concerns

Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels

We are nervous when we notice fine lines on our faces and wrinkles around our eyes. This could be taken as a sign of aging, which could affect our confidence level. To combat this, we try to use Botox, which is a toxin that's known to help smooth wrinkles and fine lines. Using this drug may also be associated with the risk of developing gangrene in parts of the body, particularly around the eyes and mouth.

Botox won't help you in increasing sexual activity, however, it does make your face look younger and smooth. This can work as a confidence booster for women; for men, it just makes them more attractive. It could also be considered an artificial method of enhancing sexual performance among active men by making their private parts look more youthful as well as reducing any disturbing effects of aging there.

While this drug has been proven safe over a long period, it is advisable to get a second opinion before going through with it because not all doctors are aware of this potential side effect. Some patients who have received injections of Botox have suffered from headaches, temporary eye irritation, nausea, and dizziness after getting treated for wrinkles and other facial problems. Some of these symptoms can disappear after a few hours, but some may last for a couple of days.