For many years, men have been left out of the conversation about cosmetic treatments. At some point, it was decided that treatments like BOTOX® Cosmetic were designed and appropriate only for women; but this notion is finally starting to change. In the past two decades, the number of men receiving BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment has increased by nearly 400 percent, with men of all ages considering the anti-aging injectable.
What Is BOTOX® Cosmetic?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is an injectable neurotoxin that is made from an inactive derivative of botulinum toxin type A. While this may initially sound dangerous, BOTOX® Cosmetic injections are safe because the strain used is not alive. BOTOX® Cosmetic works differently than injectable treatments such as facial fillers, which plump up tissues to add volume and reduce wrinkles. Instead, BOTOX® Cosmetic temporarily blocks chemical nerve signals so that tiny muscles in the face cannot contract. This injection treats dynamic wrinkles like crow’s feet, frown lines, and forehead lines, which are created by muscle movement. BOTOX® Cosmetic does not affect static lines and wrinkles caused by age.
Why Are Men Turning To BOTOX® Cosmetic?
There is nothing gender-specific about wanting your skin to look youthful and rejuvenated. A youthful appearance is something that everyone strives for; it’s why we use lotions and try to eat healthily and go to the gym. A youthful appearance has always been associated with a healthy and happy demeanor. BOTOX® Cosmetic can help provide that for many men. No matter how hard someone tries to protect their skin, fine lines and wrinkles will eventually form around the eyes. Between habitual facial expressions, sun damage, and the natural breakdown of collagen in the skin, patients are forced to accept that lines around their eyes will eventually begin to show. Some men choose BOTOX® Cosmetic to retain an outward appearance that matches their inner vitality, and others prefer the treatment so that they will be more competitive at work. Whatever the motivation, there is no reason that any stigma should still exist around cosmetic treatments for men.
What Are the Concerns?
The concerns that men have in regards to BOTOX® Cosmetic are the same as the concerns shared by women: the fear that they will not look natural. It is true that when BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment is not performed by a trained professional, the results can seem a bit fake. This is why it is essential to choose a certified, qualified surgeon that will know how much BOTOX® Cosmetic to use and where to inject it. When done correctly, the results will look very natural. Everyone will notice how rejuvenated you look, but no one will be able to tell how you got there.
What Procedures Can Be Combined?
Many men that are interested in BOTOX® Cosmetic also consider facial fillers to restore volume to other parts of their face. BOTOX® Cosmetic is only FDA-approved for use on the upper third of the face. Fillers reduce the appearance of wrinkles by plumping up tissues in the middle and lower regions of the face. Treatments like the liquid facelift combine injectables for customized, full-face rejuvenation.
To learn more about BOTOX® Cosmetic, contact Dr. Goldschmidt at The Cosmetic Surgery Center by calling (216) 350-3175 or by filling out our online contact form.