When botulinum toxin first came out, it was both cheered and jeered. Wrinkles be gone? Yay. Injections into the face? No way. As time went on and usage increased, fears of the product have largely disappeared.

Now you can’t throw a stone without hitting someone who is singing the praises of this popular age eraser. But questions still remain. Let’s address a few here.

How can I avoid the Frozen Face?

The answer to this question isn’t surprising. The way to freeze wrinkles, but not emotions, is to find a skilled medical doctor with the knowledge and experience to know exactly where to place the botulinum toxin. Ask how many years of experience your doctor has with botulinum toxin. (We recommend finding someone with at least five years of experience.) Talk with the doctor about what you want to accomplish, and what you want to avoid. If they don’t hear you out or have enough time to listen, look for someone who will.

Why does the Frozen Face happen?

Unwanted results can occur due to improper dilution of the product, quantity errors (using too much or too little), filler interactions and injection errors. Usually it’s the latter that causes the Frozen Face. This ties back to the previous question. The doctor’s credentials are paramount.

What do we now know about botulinum toxin that we didn’t know then?

Since botulinum toxin reached mass market appeal over a decade ago, we have learned plenty more on this product. Probably the biggest revelation is that botulinum toxin need not be used solely as a spot treatment for wrinkle minimization. Different ways to use it for cosmetic enhancement have been introduced, including Botulinum Toxin for Facelift. This is where a small amount of botulinum toxin is injected all over the face to tighten the skin, smooth the forehead, lift the brows, shrink pores and tighten the cheeks and jowls. It’s an overall refresher and one way to avoid the Frozen Face once and for all as it’s injected into the skin, rather than the muscle.

Is long-term usage of botulinum toxin safe?

Yes. Botulinum toxin has been on the market since 2002. And, contrary to popular belief, it is not just an aesthetics solution. Botulinum toxin is used to treat excessive sweating, migraines, jaw clenching, neck spasms, overactive bladder, and much more.

And remember, the Frozen Face is actually a misnomer. Nothing on your face actually freezes, and all results are temporary. But “Frozen Face” is catchier than “Temporary Paralysis of Facial Muscles Face”, now isn’t it?

Read more about Botulinum Toxin for Facelift here.