Why is botox such a 'dirty' word?

Some people shudder when they hear the word ‘Botox.' If a woman looks exceptionally well, it may even be suggested she has had *whispers* Botox.

Or then there are those terrified of the thought of a ‘frozen faced’ look. But is Botox as scary as some people think?

Botox,  trade name for Botulinum Toxin Type A, first got FDA approval to treat medical conditions such as muscle spasms and excessive sweating.

In 2002, Botox was approved to be used cosmetically to minimise facial wrinkles, primarily the vertical lines between the eyebrows.

It is now most commonly used to erase wrinkles and reduce the signs of ageing. Despite its perception Botox has had a very safe history.

There have been just 36 serious adverse reactions reported to the FDA from 1989-2003. And of those 36, 13 had previous underlying medical conditions.

With the use of Botox among 19-34-year-olds increasing by 87% over the last five years alone, we have to wonder what is all the stigma really about.

We caught up with Dr. Edel Woods, owner of Ora Skin Clinic to find out her thoughts on the ever-growing beauty treatment.

With a background in aesthetic dentistry, Dr. Woods explains her love for what could be achieved with subtle aesthetic ‘tweakments’ let her to pursue facial aesthetics.

“I quickly realised that the attention to detail and the rigorous anatomy training gained from my dentistry degree equipped me very well to pursue facial aesthetics.”

Dr.Woods explains how her approach to Botox is focused entirely on softening the lines that are visible and to keep as much movement as possible.

“Unfortunately, many people until now equated Botulinum Toxin treatment with eliminating movement but this is where you start to risk undesirable results.”

The Ora Skin Clinic founder explains how Botox is not solely used on her patients to achieve a fresher look.

They believe that Botox is just another step in your overall skin-care routine.

“We are big believers in a holistic approach that includes treatments and homecare focused on nourishing the skin too.”

Many fear the ‘frozen’ look and this has given Botox its negative image but Dr.Woods believes this is because in the past Botox has been pushed to its limits.

The correct use of Botox actually gives natural and refreshed results. She explains how a frozen look is completely avoidable and how choosing the right practise is incredibly important.

“It's important to choose a medical practitioner that believes in keeping as much movement as possible and then listening to them! Developing a long term relationship with your treating practitioner will also help to keep patients look their best for longer.

"A good practitioner will assess the patient's needs at every individual visit and never use cookie-cutter plans or dosages. Every face is different and so too is every treatment.”