Botulinum toxin — popularly known as "botox" — is the most performed aesthetic treatment in the world. But it's also one of the most surrounded by myths. Does it freeze your face? Is it dangerous? Is it addictive? Today we debunk every myth.
What is botulinum toxin?
It's a purified protein produced by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. In aesthetic medicine it's applied in very small, controlled doses to temporarily relax specific muscles. When the muscle relaxes, the skin over it stops creasing — and wrinkles disappear.
The FDA and INVIMA approved it for aesthetic use over 20 years ago. It's one of the most studied procedures in modern medicine.
Where is it applied?
- Forehead: horizontal wrinkles
- Glabella: the "anger lines" between the eyebrows
- Crow's feet: around the eyes
- Bunny lines: nasal bridge wrinkles when smiling
- Chin: "orange peel" appearance
- Gummy smile: when you show too much gum when smiling
- Bruxism: masseter relaxation (also slims the face)
- Hyperhidrosis: excessive sweating in armpits or hands
Myths vs realities
MYTH #1: "It freezes your face"
❌ False if applied by a qualified doctor. Properly applied botox relaxes specific muscles without paralyzing them completely. You still make expressions, smile and communicate emotions. The "frozen" face is the result of excessive applications or in wrong areas.
MYTH #2: "Once you start, you can't stop"
❌ False. It doesn't generate addiction or physical dependence. If you stop applying, muscles return to normal movement in 3-6 months and wrinkles reappear — but NOT worse than before. What happens is psychological: people like the result and want to continue.
MYTH #3: "It's dangerous"
❌ False when applied correctly. Aesthetic doses are thousandths of the toxic dose. With billions of applications globally, serious adverse effects are rare. The most common are mild: bruising, transient headache, temporary asymmetry (which corrects itself).
MYTH #4: "It's only for older women"
❌ False. More and more young patients (25-35) use preventive botox in small doses to prevent wrinkles from "marking" the skin. And men are increasingly users — especially in forehead and glabella.
MYTH #5: "If you apply it on the forehead, your eyelids will droop"
❌ Only if applied by someone untrained. Eyelid ptosis (drooping eyelid) is a rare complication that occurs when applied in incorrect areas. That's why the doctor who applies it must be a specialist.
REALITY: "It's preventive if you start young"
✅ True. Applied in small doses from age 25-30, botox prevents the formation of deep wrinkles. The skin doesn't "mark" as much when the muscle doesn't contract with the same force.
REALITY: "It takes a few days to take effect"
✅ True. It's not immediate like hyaluronic acid. It starts to be noticeable at 3-5 days and maximum effect appears at 14 days. That's why we always make an appointment at 2 weeks to make adjustments if necessary.
REALITY: "It lasts between 3 and 6 months"
✅ True. Average is 4 months. Patients with fast metabolism or who exercise a lot may notice it lasts a bit less. With consistent applications over 1-2 years, the effect can start lasting longer due to muscle disuse.
How is the session?
- Assessment: your doctor analyzes your face at rest and in motion
- Marking the exact points to treat
- Cleaning with chlorhexidine
- Application with very fine needle (15-30 min)
- Recommendations: don't lie down for 4 hours, no intense exercise for 24h, don't massage the area
Who cannot have it?
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women
- People with neuromuscular diseases (myasthenia gravis, ALS)
- Allergy to components
- Active infections in the area
How much does botox cost at Almaluna?
We charge per unit applied, not per area — so you only pay what's necessary for your particular case. Quantities vary according to wrinkle depth and muscle strength. In your (free) assessment we tell you exactly how many units you need and the total cost. Contact us via WhatsApp for more information.