Ever wondered how effective Botox really is? Some people swear by it and get topped up every few months, while others remain dubious of such procedures – however non-invasive they claim to be.
It essentially works by blocking nerve signals to muscles, in turn relaxing them and reducing wrinkles or frown lines.
Botox injections can also be used to help ease certain health conditions, such as excessive sweating and migraines.
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The effects are only temporary, so it’s only a matter of time before it wears off and you need your next fill.
One doctor, who specialises in ‘Aesthetic & Regenerative Medicine’, shared a video on Instagram last year to illustrate the effects of Botox – also known as botulinum toxin.
“Muscles of the face either pull up or pull down,” Dr Bita Zadeh Farrell wrote.
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“When the muscles that pull the lower face down (platysma and DAO) are injected and relaxed with a Neuromodulator such as Botox, the muscle that pulls the mid face up (zygomaticus or cheek muscle) dominates and pulls the face up!”
In the clip, Farrell shows the difference between each side of her face, one of which has been injected with Botox, while the other hasn’t.
“This can help reduce the appearance of marionette lines, jowls, frown (rbf, or sad face), and the nasolabial folds,” she continued.
“It also lifts the neck and can sharpen the jawline and make the cheeks appear a bit fuller and more lifted. Results last average 3-4 months, and any of the FDA approved Neuromodulators can be used.
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“Now I better go inject the other side to even things out.”
Naturally, many social media users were stunned by the results.
“The Botox side looks years younger,” one commented, while another thanked Farrell for the ‘informative’ post.
Someone else wrote: “Amazing. So educational!”
After her video went viral again, Farrell recently took to Instagram to address some of the debate online, saying she posted the clip ‘to teach’ and ‘show how thoughtful muscle balance can shape a face naturally, and how facial expressions are deeply connected to anatomy, not just lines and wrinkles’.
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"The heart of the message is what matters most to me: Education. Awareness. Responsibility,” she explained.
“I never set out for attention. I simply wanted to help people see the artistry behind aesthetic medicine — that it’s not about freezing faces, but restoring balance, emotion, and beauty in a way that still feels like you.”
Farrell said she felt ‘overwhelmed with gratitude’ to see her message ‘touching so many people around the world’.
"Thank you to everyone who believes that medicine and education can coexist with beauty,” the doctor said.
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Of course, as with many things, there are still risks with Botox.
What are the potential side effects of Botox?
According to Mayo Clinic, potential side effects include:
- pain, swelling or bruising at the injection site
- headache
- flu-like symptoms
- droopy eyelids or crooked eyebrows
- a crooked smile or drooling
- watery or dry eyes
- infection at the injection site
Healthcare providers also don't recommend Botox if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, while it is always important to have the procedure carried out by a licensed and skilled professional.
Topics: Beauty
Jess Hardiman