Botox has gained popularity over the years as one of the most sought-after treatments in the cosmetic industry. The cosmetic treatment has been available in the United States by prescription ever since it was approved by the FDA in 2002. But, what’s noteworthy is that it is the same Botox injection that got the FDA approval in 1989 for being an effective treatment for several medical conditions such as migraines, muscle spasms, and incontinence. However, with so much popularity comes a few misconceptions. Herein, we throw some light on the misconceptions and real side effects of Botox, and how to avoid them.

1. Does the treatment hurt?
It is a common misconception that Botox treatment is painful. Although Botox is administered with the help of a needle, the needle used in the treatment are really small and, thus, the pain is very minimal. In fact, sometimes to avoid the pain, the area chosen for the treatment is numbed before administering the injection with the help of an anesthetic cream or by simply applying a cold pack for 10-20 minutes. A little discomfort after the effect of the anesthetic cream has worn off is common.

2. Side effects of Botox
There are some side effects that are commonly associated with Botox treatment, including:

• Pain at the injection site
• Swelling and inflammation
• Infection
• Redness of skin
• Bruising
• Bleeding

These symptoms can sometimes point towards an allergic reaction. Other symptoms of an allergy include :

• Itching
• Asthma
• Wheezing
• Dizziness
• Faintness
• Rashes
• Red welts

If any breathing problems or dizziness occurs, you must rush to your doctor immediately.

Some other symptoms that are relatively less common, are dry mouth, headache, fatigue, headache, and pain in the neck. In some cases, numbness and droopy eyelids have also been reported. Muscle spasms, twitching of the eyes, and migration of the substance can also be experienced after the treatment.

Botox may travel to some adjoining sites of the intended injection site. As a result of this, it also affects the surrounding tissues of the area. For example, Botox may have been administered into the forehead area, but it migrates to your eyebrows and eyelids and as a result, your eyelids start drooping temporarily.

3. How can the side effects be avoided?
Although the list of side effects might look a little terrifying, it is highly unlikely for a person to experience all of them after the treatment.

However, prevention is better than cure and, thus, here are some tips that can help you avoid the side effects of Botox:

• Pick an experienced Botox practitioner only. You must never get the treatment done from professionals who do not have enough hands-on experience, such as a stylist in a salon. If a person does not have enough experience to administer the injection properly, he might not be well prepared for any kind of medical emergencies either.
• Discuss your medical history with your medical practitioner, regarding medications or health supplements taken
• Follow pre- and post-treatment guidelines
• Report all side-effects immediately