Would you ever consider botox?
When you're injecting something into your face you'd expect a lot of research would go into it, wouldn't you? Well, not for 84% of women.
A lack of know-how means that the majority of youth-seeks aren't certain of what they've had injected into their face - Botox or Faux-tox.
Research carried out by Transform Cosmetic Surgery has revealed that while 67% claimed to be aware of wrinkle smoothing toxin treatments, 84% had no idea which one had been administered to them, and could only name Botox when asked which other products they knew of.
More worryingly still is the revelation that over a third of practitioners failed to advise patients which brand they were receiving. Of those that did, only a mere 20% offered up any information on the differences between the treatments - stripping the patient of the chance to choose the product that is right for them.
Dr Hilary Jones, an independent member of Transform’s Clear Panel said: “Informed consent is vital for any medical procedure and cosmetic interventions such as anti-wrinkle injections are no exception. It is essential that each patient understands exactly which product is being injected into their body and whether the brand of botulinum toxin used meets stringent standards of quality efficacy and above all safety, and has an enduring and proven track record. If someone is offered Botox specifically for example that is exactly what they should be given and nothing else.”
The research is part of a Transform awareness campaign, which calls for the public to be better informed about who is treating them, where the treatment takes place and what they are being treated with.
The objective is for patients to be in a better position to make an informed decision about their chosen practitioner and the wrinkle treatment being administered. Botox is one of four licensed toxin products used for the treatment of lines and wrinkles. However, there are nuances between each and patients should be looking to their practitioner to explain what product is being used and why.
Patricia Dunion, Managing Director at Transform commented: “As part of our CLEAR Patient Charter and in support of current reviews into the regulation of cosmetic surgery, we were keen to raise awareness of misconceptions around line & wrinkle treatments. Patients need to be better educated and armed with information they need to make the choices that are right for them.
“The findings, while worrying, haven’t come as a surprise to us as we have long suspected a lack of understanding and knowledge; perhaps exacerbated by less than forthcoming information from some practitioners. We hope that in highlighting this, consumers who wish to undergo non-surgical treatment for lines and wrinkles will ask better questions of their practitioner, and themselves if they are seeing a great “deal”, or a lower than usual price.”
Fact Finder:
The scientific name for "Botox" is Botulinum toxin
1gram of Botulinum toxin is all that's required to make a whole year’s supply of Botox
Botulinum toxin is available under four product formulations: Botox, Vistabel, Azzalure, and Bocouture
Botox comes with a red or purple top. Azzalure and Bocouture have blue tops. You can also tell them apart as Botox has a hologram and is kept in a fridge
Botox has been used over 2 million times in the EU
Botox results typically last for 12-16 weeks
Botox is also used to treat the following; excessive sweating, chronic migraine, cerebral palsy, incontinence, squinting, rapid blinking, muscle spasms
Tagged in Botox Anti-Ageing