Bro-tox: Why More Men Than Ever Are Embracing BOTOX

No doubt about it: BOTOX® injections are the most popular cosmetic procedure performed in the U.S., with about 7.5 million procedures performed in 2018. That’s about 10 times the number of people who had BOTOX in 2000. And while women still make up the lion’s share when it comes to BOTOX treatments (accounting for about seven million treatments), in recent years, more men have been turning to the injections as well. About a half million men have BOTOX injections each year in the U.S., and that number has been steadily increasing, according to data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. In fact, BOTOX treatments for men are becoming so popular, the trend has even spawned a new nickname: Brotox.

HOW DOES BOTOX WORK?

Whether you’re a man or a woman, the underlying mechanism of the injections is the same. BOTOX works by blocking nerve signals between your facial muscles and your brain. When you make an expression like smiling or frowning, your brain “tells” specific muscles in your face to contract. Those muscle contractions, in turn, tug on your skin, creating your facial expressions (as well as lines and folds). Over time, years and years of expressions cause those lines and folds to become more or less permanent, etched into your skin. BOTOX injections “short-circuit” the communication between your brain and your facial muscles, preventing the muscles from contracting. When the muscles don’t contract, lines, folds, and wrinkles don’t form, which means your face looks smoother and more youthful.

THE RISE OF “BROTOX”

For years, cosmetic procedures have been largely the “domain” of female patients. More recently, though, men have been taking a greater interest in cosmetic treatments, especially treatments that help reduce or eliminate the signs of aging. It may have taken a little longer for men to catch on to BOTOX, but as it turns out, those who opt for treatment are doing so for pretty much the same reasons as women: They want to get rid of the lines and wrinkles that are making them look older — sometimes a lot older — than they truly feel.

It’s no secret society puts a lot of emphasis on youth. Being young or at least looking youthful is associated with having more energy and even being more capable, especially in our tech-driven society where change is happening every day. Making sure we look youthful and energized is one way to stay competitive at work and elsewhere. And of course, looking younger can also help men (and women) feel more attractive and more confident.

Here are just a few reasons why BOTOX is so popular among men:

TREATMENTS ARE FAST

BOTOX injections take just a few moments, and afterward, there’s no downtime, so you can go right back to your normal routine. That means you can fit your treatments into your schedule, no matter how busy it may be. There might be a little redness afterward, but it’s nothing a little ice can’t handle, and any residual redness that does occur is temporary, resolving soon after your injections.

IT’S SAFE

BOTOX has been used cosmetically for years, but it’s been used for other medical issues for decades, specifically to help treat muscle spasms in the neck, eyelid spasms, and excessive sweating. More recently, BOTOX is being used to treat and even prevent migraine headaches. That long history means doctors and medical researchers have lots of data to draw from, and lots of evidence that BOTOX injections are safe.

IT’S EFFECTIVE

BOTOX is extremely effective in reducing the appearance of dynamic wrinkles, those lines and folds that are caused by facial expressions. While fillers would disperse in these areas as a result of muscle action, BOTOX prevents muscle contractions, making it very useful in reducing the appearance of crow’s feet, frown lines (between your brows), and forehead wrinkles.

IT’S REPEATABLE

BOTOX results typically last for about four months or so, and once the results start to fade, you can have touch-up treatments to keep those lines and wrinkles at bay. Some people report having regular BOTOX injections lets them wait longer between touch-ups, as wrinkles “relax” and become less noticeable.

BOTOX can be combined with other fillers, too, to treat wrinkles throughout the facial region, helping you get a lot of the cosmetic benefits of a traditional facelift, but without the surgery. To learn more about BOTOX injections at The Beauty Medics and how they can help you look and feel more youthful and more confident, contact the practice today.