10 myths about Botox.

1. 'Botox gives you a mask face.' A frozen expression results from overdosing or wrong placement, not from the substance. Correctly dosed, expression is preserved – the aim is that nobody notices the treatment.
2. 'Botox is a poison.' The substance comes from a bacterium but is used highly purified in tiny, locally acting doses. It has been licensed in medicine for over 30 years and is among the best-studied products.

3. 'Botox is addictive.' There is no physical dependence. Anyone who stops has their old expression back after a few months – not more wrinkles than without treatment.
4. 'Botox helps against all wrinkles.' Only against expression lines. Static lines, volume loss and crinkly skin need hyaluronic acid or skin-quality treatments.

5. 'The effect is instant.' First effects after two to three days, the full result after about two weeks.
6. 'Botox is for women.' A growing share of those treated are men; dose and goal differ, the principle does not.

7. 'The more units, the better.' More units mean more immobilisation – and less expression. The right dose is individual.
8. 'Botox smooths the skin.' It relaxes muscles; the skin itself changes only indirectly because it is no longer folded. For skin quality there are other procedures.

9. 'Once Botox, always Botox.' You don't have to; you can. Many treat twice a year, some once, some stop.
10. 'Botox is dangerous if it is counterfeit.' That is true – which is why the substance is sourced only through pharmacies and used only by physicians. Suspiciously cheap offers in beauty salons are a warning sign, not a bargain.