To Botox or Not to Botox?

By Dr. Catherine Begovic

Almost everyone has heard about Botox, but most people don’t know a lot about it. Although Botox comes from “botulinum toxin” – the name is scarier than need be.  Most people don’t know this but prior to being used for cosmetic reasons, Botox was used for facial spasms, sweating, migraines, and many other medical indications for over 20 years.  It was introduced as a cosmetic product and approved by the FDA to treat the area between the eyebrows in 2002.  Approximately 11.8 million Botox cosmetic procedures have been administered in the U.S. since then.

Most people ask me when they should start using it. There isn’t a set age.  Many of my patients and I, myself, started in our late 20s’ to prevent deep wrinkle formation.  I think of it like folding a piece of paper – if you don’t keep folding it, you don’t get a deep crease.  Botox definitely helps soften lines in slightly older patients as well.  As a rule of thumb, each patient is different.  I evaluate my patients individually and ask them what aesthetic look they are searching for.  Botox is a technical art and should not be taken for granted.  Every patient’s anatomy needs to be carefully considered as well as what they want to look like.  Too often I see patients with poorly placed Botox resulting in abnormal joker looking eyebrows or asymmetries.  Also, Botox should be administered differently for men to keep them from looking natural and masculine.  Yes, you heard me – men get Botox too.

My husband, a bodybuilder and fitness model from Europe (a real manly man) first laughed at my suggestion he start using Botox.  I informed him that 6% of all Botox procedures are performed on men and that it is the most popular minimally invasive physician administered aesthetic procedure for males.

I convinced him to let me try it on him to smooth out the deep horizontal forehead wrinkles he had and soften the lines between his eyebrows and around his eyes.  I don’t believe in completely freezing men – it looks unnatural.  My philosophy is to soften some of the lines but allow normal movement.  Needless to say he was impressed at how he looked.  We’ve gone back and looked at some of his old headshots and the difference is significant.  Now he’s hooked!

In this day and age, especially in Los Angeles, it is just as important for men as it is for women to take care of their skin and appearances.  I have several older male associates and friends who feel regret for not starting preventative anti-aging practices in their youth.  Don’t make the same mistake!

About Dr. Catherine Begovic:

Dr. Catherine Huang Begovic is a Harvard educated Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgeon in Beverly Hills, CA. She completed not one,
but TWO surgery residencies at UCLA - Head and Neck surgery (Cancer,
Facial Plastics, Reconstruction) as well as Plastic and Reconstructive
Surgery.  Dr. Huang Begovic prides herself in paying special attention
to detail.  As a woman and plastic surgery patient herself, she has a
special understanding for her patients.  She is the featured Beauty
and Health expert for Beauty TV and has published or presented around
40 articles in scientific journals and meetings on topics ranging from
molecular biology, cancer, anti-aging, skin care, fat stem cells, to
vaginal cosmetic surgery.
www.makeyouperfect.com