Dangers of BOTOX® Parties
Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Virginia
Botox® Cosmetic injections are being introduced in the living rooms across the nation. Derived from the poison Botulinum toxin, Botox® Cosmetic has been used for years in the offices of cosmetic surgeons to help treat facial wrinkles. This treatment works by temporarily paralyzing the muscles that cause wrinkles. A fast, painless and affordable treatment that lasts about three months, Botox® Cosmetic has grown increasingly popular in recent years.
With the popularity of Botox® Cosmetic, it is natural that people would offer discounts, knockoffs, and innovative marketing approaches. Botox® Cosmetic parties are part of that: women are finding that they can get a facial rejuvenating treatment along with hors d'oeuvres and a glass of Merlot at a price comparable or cheaper than their local cosmetic surgeon's office.
However, cosmetic surgeons are becoming more and more worried about these injections being dispensed by unqualified and unsupervised individuals.
Danger of Botox® Cosmetic
The primary danger of these parties is that the conditions are not controlled and the injector may be inexperienced. Botox® Cosmetic is a medication and if not properly administered it can have dangerous side effects. A common side effect is when Botox® Cosmetic migrates from the injection site. For example, an injection into your frown line could potentially send this nerve-blocking toxin to another area of your face and have an adverse effect. It could create a "sleepy eye" or a "frozen face." Even though Botox® Cosmetic lasts only a few months, if you are not able to move part of your face for this long, or you are forced to walk around with a "sleepy eye," it can cause distress.
There is also an increase in the amount of people who are visiting doctor's offices and emergency rooms with problems resulting from improper Botox® Cosmetic injections from these household parties. The most common complaints are:
- Heavy eyebrows
- Droopy eyelids
- One eyebrow higher than the other
And one of the most dangerous aspects of Botox® Cosmetic parties is the involvement of alcohol. Alcohol can lead to carelessness, so even if your party host is a trained professional, the consumption of alcohol can lead to an improper injection. Also, alcohol consumption increases the blood flow to your skin. This can mean that you end up with Botox® Cosmetic in a place that you do not want it.
Botox® Cosmetic as Medicine
Primary care physicians also disagree with using Botox® Cosmetic in the private sector. Besides being used to treat wrinkles, these injections are also effective in the treatment of:
- Migraine headaches
- Excessive sweating
- Muscle spasms
- Blepharospasm (eyelid spasms)
- Hemifacial spasms (uncontrollable spasms in your face)
- Cerebral palsy in children
- Herniated discs
Because of this, doctors remind the youth-conscious clientele that Botox® Cosmetic is a real drug used for serious medical conditions and should not be injected lightheartedly.
If you live in the Alexandria, Virginia area and are interested in safe Botox® Cosmetic injections to restore a youthful appearance, please contact our Alexandria plastic surgery office today. Virginia cosmetic surgeon Dr. Eric Desman provides initial consultations and can help you achieve a rejuvenated, healthy look.
Call 571-281-2522 to schedule your consultation or to set up a telephone consultation.
Our goal is to provide you with the highest quality cosmetic surgery care in the Northern Virginia and Washington DC region. Dr. Desman is committed to serving you through advanced training, dedication to perfection and unmatched personal care.
