A cosmetic doctor has highlighted the difference getting Botox can make by injecting only half of her face with the cosmetic treatment.
California-based Dr Bita Zadeh Farrell used herself as a ‘lab rat’ for her experiment, which saw her have the jabs only in the lower facial muscles on her right side.
In a clip to her 250,000 followers on Instagram, she detailed how she had injected Botox two weeks prior and—after allowing it to take affect—presented the results.
Dr Farrell then tries to use the muscles on both sides of her face but finds herself unable to shift those on the Botox side.
‘I’m really trying to pull this side,’ she says, obviously struggling.
She added: ‘You can see that the platysma muscle on this—the non-Botox—side is really contracting and pulling my jawline down, and so is my DAO [depressor anguli oris, pulling the corner of my mouth down.’
In contrast, the side of her face with Botox remains almost perfectly still.
California-based Dr Bita Zadeh Farrell used herself as a ‘lab rat’ for her experiment, which saw her have the jabs only in the lower facial muscles on her right side
Botulinum toxin—the most recognised brand of which is Botox—works by blocking nerves from sending signals to muscles, effectively paralysing them
Dr Farrell also highlighted how her the cheek on the side with the Botox was sitting higher than the left.
She said this made natural folds near her nose on that side ‘seem softer’ as well as reducing the presence of lines near the corner of her mouth.
Writing alongside the post Dr Farrell added that using Botox to paralyse the muscles in the lower face causing other muscles higher up to pick up the slack which can lead to a variety of atheistic improvements.
‘This can help reduce the appearance of marionette lines, jowls, frown (rbf, or sad face), and the nasolabial folds,’ she said.
‘It also lifts the neck and can sharpen the jawline and make the cheeks appear a bit fuller and more lifted.’
However, she added that, like all Botox treatment treatments, the effects are temporary lasting only three to four months before another dose might be needed.
Social media users said they were shocked at the side-by-side comparison.
‘The Botox side looks years younger,’ one wrote.
‘Thank you for doing this and showing real results,’ another added.
Botulinum toxin—the most recognised brand of which is Botox—works by blocking nerves from sending signals to muscles, effectively paralysing them.
This stops the muscles from contracting and in turn reduces the presence of wrinkles.
The risks of Botox treatments are small when performed correctly but—like any procedure—it carries a range of risks that can vary in severity.
People can have their face ‘frozen’ if too much toxin is injected at one time, have areas of their face ‘droop’, experience blurred or double vision, and even breathing difficulties following injections.
Research published last year suggested nearly four in five patients who get anti-wrinkle injections suffer such effects with the most commonly reported including headaches, pain, dizziness and brain fog.
Aesthetics treatments with botulinum toxin aren’t available on the NHS.
It is available for some patients with certain health conditions which can benefit from Botox’s ability to paralyse certain tissues.
This includes those that cause spasms, migraines and excessive sweating.
Getting Botox privately can cost as little as £100 and can be performed in as little as 10 minutes though it can take days to start working.
However, there have been increasing calls for more regulation in the sector over safety concerns.
Campaigners previously told this website some providers only take week-long courses before they start injecting patients.
