Posted by Dr. Anil R. Shah
This is an interesting study. This study was written by Zhi Yang Ng, MD, and Alexandre Lellouch, MD for Dermatologic Surgery* in May 2022. Essentially, what they wanted to find out is can you basically create a facelift effect with the use of Botox or micro Botox. And what they found, not surprisingly, was that there was a highly variable amount of agreement on whether this actually did anything amongst patients and physicians and looking at this. And this is something I preached, Um, in my clinic.
Botox to treat the face is a giant waste of money.
The thought process here is by the makers of Botulinum toxin. These are all the makers that if you selectively weaken the front muscle, the platysma, you’re gonna have a pull which is gonna create a facelift-like result. They even gave this a sexy name, the Nefertiti Lift. And you’re supposed to put in anywhere from 15 to 60 units of Botox in the muscle of the neck, the platysma. And it’s supposed to create a facelift like result. It should last anywhere from three months to six months, depending on what you’re talking about. And this is gonna cost you anywhere from $500 to maybe a thousand or even more, depending on who’s treating you.
My findings in patients, when I’ve done this, is that I do not see a clinical difference. Maybe patients are looking for something that’s not there. But if I study photos, side by side. If I actually use 3d modeling and computer programs and compare my patients I have treated. If I look at other patients, who’ve had this done, I do not see a difference.
So, if you’re looking for a great use of Botox, use it in the upper part of the face. If you’re looking for a waste of money of Botox, try to lift your face with it. It doesn’t work. And this study proves that it really doesn’t.
