Is Botox Cost Justifiable?
Botox is not just a cosmetic injection; it is also approved for the treatment of certain neurological disorders such as cervical dystonia, strabismus and blepharospasm. In addition, it is used for the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis that can not be managed adequately with externally applied agents. But Botox treatment can be expensive. Is Botox cost commensurate to the benefits that can be derived from treatments?
The value of anything is determined by an individual’s perception. Something that is valuable for one could be without value to another. Generally, a thing which is useless to a person is perceived as without value, while one that is useful is considered valuable. This is regardless of the intrinsic qualities of the thing under question. The cost of a thing of value is justified, while that of a thing without value is not.
In the same way, the advantages to be derived from Botox treatment could be without value to one person but be of enormous value to another. Even after determining that Botox treatment advantages have value, there are different levels of value assigned to these advantages, depending on the individual’s perception. What the individual expects from Botox treatments will affect how Botox cost is discerned.
To determine if Botox cost is reasonable, expectations need to be set at a proper level. This can be established by knowing the functions and effects of Botox in the treatment of conditions and disorders for which it has been approved, namely neurological disorders, wrinkles and facial lines, and axillary hyperhidrosis.
For the reduction of wrinkles, Botox is injected in tiny amounts into muscles underlying wrinkled skin to render them immobile so that skin folds and creases become less noticeable. The procedure takes only about ten minutes, and, since it is non-surgical, there is no recovery time needed. Effects become visible in a few days and last up to four months. Continual treatment, done about every four months, is needed to maintain the effects. Though Botox significantly reduces wrinkles, there is no radical change in one’s appearance.
Botox can significantly reduce underarm sweating for at least 6 or 7 months. It does so by blocking nerve impulses that stimulate sweat glands. This is the reason why it is effective in the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis. The procedure of administering Botox for this condition involves injecting it just beneath the skin on multiple spots of the affected underarm. Within four weeks after the injections, the effects will become noticeable. Again, the treatments will have to be repeated as the effects wear off.
In the treatment of neurological disorders, Botox is injected in various amounts into sites that are predetermined according to the type of condition and the muscles affected. Relief from symptoms can last up to three months and can be experienced starting from within a range of a couple of days to a couple of weeks. There may be adverse effects such as bruising at the injection site, as well as tenderness and slight pain after the administration of the injections.
Since the effects of Botox for any of the conditions above last several months, the duration of effectiveness should be taken into account along with the intrinsic advantages to be derived from the treatments. If the effects Botox treatments and their duration is something that would be valuable in terms of being able to live a happier, more normal life, then Botox cost would certainly be “worth it”.