Is Bro-tox On The Father’s Day Top 10?

Mother’s Day is now a pleasant memory and that means Father’s Day is next in line; but what to get the dad who has everything?  He might surprise you by quietly wishing for a day at the med-spa judging by the steady rise in the number of men getting Botox or as it is commonly known Bro-tox.  Instead of a new grill or baseball tickets, fathers and grandfathers might be happier to receive a gift certificate for some youth-preserving cosmetic treatments.

Botox, approved by the FDA in 2002, has become a staple of the cosmetic surgery industry, helping older patients maintain a youthful appearance by temporarily smoothing facial wrinkles.  Botox (botulinum toxin) injections work by weakening the muscles in the face or by blocking particular nerves that relay information to the brain.  The effects last anywhere between three to twelve months.   Some side effects include flu-like symptoms, headache and upset stomach.  It may also cause drooping eyelids when used in the face.   The average cost of an injection is between $300 and $400 and it is not usually covered by medical insurance when used as a cosmetic procedure.

The benefit of Botox is an immediate result with no down-time.  It can be performed quickly, even over a lunch hour, and usually men suffer less bruising than women. It does come at a cost however, and to maintain results requires injections every four to six months.  And it goes without saying, needles in the face are painful.

Men who have deep creases in the face, especially on the forehead can appear tired or even angry or grumpy as well as older than they would like.  Botox can help soften a stern appearance and make older men more approachable both professionally and personally.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 385,000 men got Botox injections in 2014, an increase of more than 300 per cent from a decade ago.   Most patients who receive Botox are in their 40s or 50s and often older employees are seeking the procedure to help avoid age discrimination in the workplace.   In other cases, men are inspired by their spouses and partners (or referred by them) to think about the treatment to smooth lines and wrinkles.

Botox is also used to treat chronic migraine and other neurological disorders including movement disorders following a stroke or spinal cord injury.  There is also research that suggests Botox injections could be a possible treatment for arthritis pain.

Tip:  Before rushing out and buying a Botox treatment for that special dad or granddad, make sure it’s something they are interested in first or it could backfire and be taken as a slight or worse yet, a confirmation that they are indeed looking their age.  Tact is everything!