2020 brought the COVID-19 pandemic, with business shutdowns and home quarantines. Unfortunately, that also meant that many were unable to get in for their regular BOTOX® treatments.
While many turned to new facial serums and moisturizers while spending time at home, others turned to the dangerous and crazy beauty trend of 2020, DIY BOTOX. While friends may swear by this option, the truth is DIY BOTOX can be very dangerous, and even fatal.
What Is BOTOX?
BOTOX is a popular cosmetic injectable form of botulinum toxin designed to help reduce or eliminate facial lines and wrinkles. But what exactly is this botulinum toxin, and what does it do?
Botulinum toxin is one of the most poisonous biological substances on the planet. It is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, the same bacteria responsible for the dangerous disease botulism. This toxin blocks neural transmission and causes muscle paralysis. When used by trained professionals for BOTOX injections, this toxin paralyzes the facial muscles responsible for wrinkles caused by repetitive muscle movements, such as frown lines or crow’s feet. This paralysis only lasts for a couple of months and repeat treatments are necessary to maintain your results.
Potential Complications from DIY BOTOX Injections
Without trained knowledge of anatomy and muscle location, the injection of DIY BOTOX you ordered off the internet can cause dangerous complications and even death.
When it comes to DIY BOTOX that you order online, you must question what you are receiving. The FDA regulates BOTOX as a prescription medication, so without a prescription, there is no guarantee you are receiving pure BOTOX and if you are, you could potentially face legal complications. In many cases, online DIY BOTOX kits contain fake or contaminated BOTOX, so you don’t know what you are injecting into your body.
But, honestly, it is more dangerous if you do receive real BOTOX injections. You haven’t had any training, and no matter how many YouTube videos you watch, injecting yourself with this toxin can prove very dangerous. Injecting BOTOX into your own face can lead to disfiguring complications, such as severe skin reactions and infections, necrosis (death) of your skin and scarring. And that is just the cosmetic complications. In addition, improper administration of BOTOX can also cause impaired vision or permanent blindness, problems swallowing, speaking and even breathing. In extreme cases, improper BOTOX injections can result in death.
Leave Your BOTOX Treatments to Those with Professional Training
While the idea of a DIY BOTOX party may sound like a fun quarantine idea, the truth is you are better to pass on this crazy beauty trend. In order to avoid bad BOTOX, wait until you can make an appointment with your favorite trained BOTOX provider. These professionals understand how dangerous BOTOX can be when administered incorrectly. They underwent extensive training to deliver your BOTOX injections and they take your safety seriously. This is one time you need to take a hard pass on a DIY suggestion.
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