Booking your botox injections in BC? Let’s debunk the six most common botox misconceptions before you do.
Let’s be honest—neuromodulators (commonly referred to as botox) often get a bad reputation. From over exaggerated “frozen faces” in movies to concerns over making your wrinkles “worse” once stopping,, you likely have questions if you’re looking for botox in Kelowna, Vernon and Kamloops, BC.
But here’s the thing: botox is the most commonly performed cosmetic injection in the world. And in my experience as a cosmetic injector providing botox for patients in Kamloops, Kelowna and Vernon, I’ve seen firsthand how transformative it can be for my patients—how common misconceptions often hold people back from trying it sooner.
Here are the top six most common misconceptions about botox—and the truth behind them.
Myth #1: Botox is only for those who have severe wrinkles.
One of the most common misconceptions I hear about botox is that botox is purely for older individuals who have visible deep wrinkles. And that’s just not the case. In fact, botox injections are more popular among younger patients—people in their late 20s and early 30s—who want to prevent wrinkles from forming in the first place.
Botox works by temporarily relaxing the muscles responsible for dynamic wrinkles—those lines that form with repeated facial expressions like frowning, squinting, or raising your eyebrows. Over time, if untreated, these dynamic wrinkles can become static wrinkles, which remain visible even at rest due to the breakdown of collagen and repetitive muscle movement. When patients begin botox treatments in their late 20s or 30s, it can act as a preventive strategy, limiting the formation of deep static lines.
There are many scientifically proven benefits of preventative (baby) botox, but to keep it simple: It’s easier to prevent than to treat wrinkles. Preventative botox can be the more economical option too as fewer units will be needed per treatment. But let me clear, I don’t believe anyone needs botox; if you choose to consider it, I’m here to provide you all the information you need to make an informed decision that’s best for you.
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Myth #2: Botox makes you look frozen or expressionless.
If being worried of looking like you’ve “had work done” is what is preventing you from booking in for botox, please don’t let it be. The stereotypical frozen faces you see in movies or on your favourite reality TV show are not the norm—at least not with a cosmetic injector that prioritizes natural-looking results (like myself).
So, how can we prevent your botox results from looking unnatural? By understanding your facial anatomy, muscle strength and monitoring how your body metabolizes the brand of neuromodulator you receive. While anatomical landmarks and common patterns used for treating specific concerns may be pretty standard from patient to patient for me, the actual injection sites and amount of product (number of units) is not.
When determining the best botox treatment plan for you, we’ll discuss your concerns, I’ll look at your facial anatomy and we’ll assess your muscle strength. For some patients, they prefer a bit of movement even at the peak of the neuromodulators’ effectiveness. Others, prefer less movement. Either way, my approach to cosmetic injections, and botox in particular, focuses on creating natural results that support you now and in the future.
It’s a myth, you can still have expression with botox injections. You’ll be able to smile, laugh, and show emotion—just without those deep lines that can make you look tired or stressed. The key is to treat botox as an enhancement and achieve natural-looking results, not a complete overhaul. It’s about softening the lines and giving your face a refreshed, relaxed look, without eliminating all movement.
Myth #3: Botox is toxic and we don’t know its long-term effects.
Let me preface this by saying there is risk with any cosmetic procedure and it is very valid that you may have concerns—I encourage you to ask all your questions before committing to any new procedure. That being said, I hope to ease some of your concerns caused by misinformation.
Botox has been used for cosmetic purposes since the early 90s and has been approved by Health Canada for cosmetic purposes since 2001. Since, botox has become the most popular cosmetic procedure globally. All of this is to say, we actually have a lot of data on long-term, cumulative botox use.
While neuromodulators are generally safe when administered by a trained professional, like any medical treatment, there are some potential risks—though most are rare or temporary. Less common risks include drooping eyelids (ptosis) if the product spreads to the levator muscle, uneven or asymmetrical results, dry eyes or excessive tearing, difficulty swallowing or speaking (usually in off-label or therapeutic doses to the neck or jaw), and changes in smiling or lip movement, which can occur after treatments like a lip flip or masseter injections.
Rare but more serious reactions—though extremely uncommon—may include allergic responses such as rash, itching, or shortness of breath; muscle weakness beyond the injection site; flu-like symptoms or fatigue; and vision changes such as blurred or double vision, typically associated with therapeutic rather than cosmetic use.
One concern that occasionally comes up is whether botox affects the brain. The answer is no—there’s no evidence that cosmetic doses of neuromodulators impact brain function. The product stays localized to the muscle and does not cross the blood-brain barrier.
Neuromodulators may not be appropriate for everyone. They are generally not recommended for individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding, those with neuromuscular disorders like myasthenia gravis or ALS, or anyone with a known allergy to botulinum toxin or any ingredients in the formulation.
Related Reading: Botox and Filler: Essential Dos and Don’ts Before and After Injections
Myth #4: Botox injections are too expensive to upkeep.
I recognize that botox or any cosmetic injection procedure is an investment. But most of my patients are pleasantly surprised how affordable cosmetic injections can be—especially when you are consistent. I like to compare getting botox injections to going to the dentist for cleanings. When you’re consistent, you are less likely to need more complicated, costly procedures like cavities or root canals. When you approach cosmetic injections from the same mindset and get preventative botox, you’re less likely to require more extensive (and expensive) injections or other advanced cosmetic procedures to achieve the same youthful results.
While the duration of botox results varies from individual to individual, they typically last between three to four months. In British Columbia, botox costs approximately $9 to $14 per unit, and the number of units required—again—varies based on your unique needs. Every appointment with me begins with a built-in complimentary consultation, where I assess your facial anatomy and muscle strength to create an accurate treatment plan, including the number of units and cost. If you have a budget, please don’t hesitate to let me know. While I don’t recommend choosing a cosmetic injector based solely on price, I’m here to work with you to ensure your treatment plan fits both your goals and your wallet.
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Myth #5: Botox can treat all your wrinkles.
Not quite. Botox is highly effective, but it’s designed specifically to treat dynamic wrinkles, not all types of lines. Dynamic wrinkles are the lines that appear from repeated facial movements like frowning, smiling, raising your eyebrows, or squinting. Over time, these movements create visible creases in the skin—think frown lines, crow’s feet, and horizontal forehead lines. Botox works by relaxing the underlying muscles responsible for those movements, helping to soften existing lines and prevent new ones from forming.
On the other hand, static wrinkles are lines that remain visible even when your face is at rest. These often result from a combination of natural aging, sun exposure, and collagen loss. While Botox can help prevent static lines from worsening, it may not erase them completely. In these cases, other treatments—like dermal fillers, biostimulators, or skin resurfacing—may be more appropriate.
Common areas treated with botox include the forehead, glabella (the “11s” between the brows), crow’s feet, brow lift zones, lip flip area, masseters (for jaw slimming or clenching), and even the chin and neck in some cases. But treating every wrinkle on the face? That’s where a customized approach comes in.
Myth #6: My wrinkles will be worse after I stop botox.
This is a common fear, but it’s simply not true. When you stop using neuromodulators like botox, your muscles gradually regain full movement, and your wrinkles will return to how they looked before treatment—not worse. In fact, while you were using botox, those muscles were relaxed, which often means your wrinkles didn’t deepen as quickly. Botox helps prevent static wrinkles from forming or deepening by temporarily limiting the muscle movements that cause dynamic wrinkles. Some people even notice that their lines remain softer than before because of the time spent with reduced muscle movement. Botox doesn’t accelerate aging, it temporarily slows the appearance of it. This misconception is common because once we get used to seeing smoother skin, it’s easy to forget what we looked like before botox. But I promise—botox doesn’t make your wrinkles worse once you stop.
Botox Injections | Vernon, Kelowna and Kamloops
Looking for botox in BC? I am a Naturopathic Doctor and cosmetic injector helping patients achieve natural-looking cosmetic injection results across Vernon, Kelowna and Kamloops, BC. Along with botox, I also offer dermal fillers, skinboosters and biostimulators. It is my goal as your provider to help you make an educated decision on whether botox is right for you.
The myths surrounding botox are pretty common, but with the right knowledge, you can make an informed decision that works for you. If you’re interested in booking botox injections in Vernon, Kamloops or Kelowna, book your complimentary consultation at one of my six locations.
