Botox BEYOND THE STIGMA

Botox has long been considered taboo but the stigma surrounding it is slowly dissipating. Here's what to expect when going under the needle.

We’ve come a long way since the days of tabloids slandering celebrities for going under the knife (or needle). And it didn’t help that people tried to hide that they’d had work done, which further perpetuated the stigma. Fast-forward to today, and Botox isn’t just something reserved for Hollywood’s elite, but has also become an accessible cosmetic solution for the modern woman who wants to target the signs of ageing while achieving a subtle, still-natural look.

Where, previously, traditional Botox treatments resulted in expressionless foreheads, overarching eyebrows and pinched smiles (think Swiss socialite Jocelyn Wildenstein, AKA “Catwoman”), the modern version of Botox, dubbed “baby Botox”, is increasingly in demand, even among women in their 20s and 30s. With this form of treatment, smaller doses of Botox are injected into the face, and is not only used to eliminate existing signs of ageing but also to prevent them.

SO, WHAT IS BOTOX?

Botox is the trade name for Botulinum toxin type A. This is a neurotoxin known for causing botulism, an illness that paralyses muscles. In the 1960s, it was used to treat medical conditions such as crossed eyes and eye twitching. Today, it can bring relief to those suffering from hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), bruxism (teeth grinding) and headaches – but it’s predominantly used for cosmetic purposes to smooth out forehead wrinkles, frown lines and crow’s feet.