Like all first world nations, we are obsessed with celebrities; sometimes too obsessed to the point of following their every move through our insatiable diet of gossip magazines, celebrity news websites and programs as well as reality TV shows. Take for instance my friend who thinks that the Kardashians are the best thing since sliced bread. She never misses an episode of the American reality TV show,keepingup with the Kardashians. For those of us who have been living under a rock, the Kardashian-Jenner family is a family of beautiful people; the most famous of which is Kim Kardashian who is a TV and social media personality, model, socialite, actor and wife of Kanye West, the American rapper, record producer and fashion designer who announced at the recent MTV Video Music Award that he is going to run for president of the United States in 2020.Whether you like her or hate her, or believe that she has had botox or not, there is no denying that Kim Kardashian has a beautiful, flawless face. I will most likely never be as rich and famous as her, but I do sometimes wish that I had a youthful and flawless face like hers, especially when the person looking back at me in the mirror looks more like my mum than me these days. So, can the not so wealthy afford to look as good as Kim? Definitely yes, thanks to Star Cosmetics Medicine
What is Botox?
According to the US National Library of Medicine, botox is made from a toxin which is produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. It is used in small doses: 1) to temporarily smooth facial wrinkles and improve facial appearance; 2) to treat severe underarm sweating; 3) to treat cervical dystonia (a neurological disorder that causes severe neck and shoulder muscle contractions); 4) to treat blepharospasm (uncontrollable blinking); 5) to treat strabismus (misaligned eyes); 6) to treat chronic migraine; and 7) to treat an overactive bladder.
How does Botox Work?
Botox is a muscle relaxer. Botox or anti-wrinkle injections work by weakening/paralysing certain muscles or by blocking certain nerves. Because it is a muscle relaxer, it hinders the movement of facial muscles to delay the creation of more wrinkles. It is particularly good for smoothing deep lines on the forehead, crow’s feet and laugh lines around the eyes and for people who want a mini brow lift. Anyone from the age of 20 upwards who wants to look more youthful can have botox injections. Compared to traditional cosmetic surgery which is more expensive and invasive, botox injections (approximately $9/unit) are a less invasive way to achieve that youthful appearance. The effects of botox injections can last anywhere from six to 12 months depending on the area treated.
What are the Side Effects of Botox?
Like most cosmetic procedures, there are pros and cons to be considered. The most common side effects of botox are pain, swelling or bruising at the injection site. Patients may also have flu-like symptoms, headaches and upset stomachs. Facial injections may also cause eyelids to droop temporarily. In the worst case scenario, which is very rare, botox has the potential to cause poisoning or even death. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not use botox.
With so many types of cosmetic procedures out there, how do we know which ones to choose? I always like to start with my budget; how much money can I afford? Followed by how much downtime can I afford and how invasive do I want the procedure to be? As a rule of thumb, botox injections are more suitable for people who have heavy creases when making facial expressions; whereas dermal fillers are more suitable for people who have wrinkles that are visible when their faces are at rest.
Botox injections used to be something only celebrities and the wealthy indulged in. Now, ordinary people like us are getting botox injections. In a world where potential employers judge us on our outside appearances, it is not just the celebrities who have to look fresh and youthful to get a job these days. So whether you ladies want your faces to look youthful and flawless like Kim Kardashian, or you men want to look like George Clooney or David Beckham, botox injections is definitely something to consider to regain that youthful appearance and boost your confidence.
