In a world so obsessed with beauty and youth, millions of men and women across the globe are willing to sacrifice their life just to have wrinkle-free skin and youthful-looking face. One treatment that has been perceived by many as totally safe and free from adverse effects is Botox. In fact, over 3.8 million injections of this drug have been performed in the US in 2005 according to figures from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

However, many organizations, including consumer watchdog group Public Citizen have been studying the ill effects of this treatment. Numbers compiled from Food and Drug Administration from 1997-2006 showed that there have already been 16 deaths, 180 life-threatening complications, and 87 hospitalizations linked to Botox injections.

Here are the other compelling reasons why you should stay away from this anti-wrinkle treatment:

1. Side Effects

Did you know that this drug is actually a neurotoxin made from poison? This ingredient is actually created from a family of toxins that causes lethal food poisoning. Botox works by paralyzing facial muscles so that wrinkles will be less visible. Just imagine what will happen if the toxin travels to other parts of your body.

Side effects of Botox include severe headache, nausea, facial pain, respiratory infection, droopy eyebrows or eyelids, double vision, and even ulceration of the cornea, and even death. Some transient effects, which usually last for a couple of days up to two weeks, include loss of facial expression, drooling, inability to swallow, asymmetrical facial proportions, and reversible nerve paralysis.

2. Targets Only One Problem

Unlike using facial creams or even cosmetic surgery, the problem with Botox is that it only targets wrinkles and nothing else. You can have as many injections as you want, but you still will have to take care of other signs of aging - skin discoloration, brown spots, large pores, etc.

3. Price

It is true that Botox injections are far cheaper than having plastic or cosmetic surgeries. However, this is not the cheapest alternative because one injection can fetch a couple of hundred dollars. Let us face it; many will need more than one injection for a totally wrinkle-free face. Moreover, one treatment is only effective for a couple of months so you need to go back to the doctor and have more injections.

4. May Cause More Wrinkles

Botox is actually a plaster solution to your wrinkle woes because it is temporary and it does not address the underlying causes of your skin problem. Taking these injections are like sticking a gum on a leaking pipe. The gum might stop the leaking for a while, but it will not hold and might cause more trouble in the future.

Many doctors believe that Botox can potentially cause more wrinkles instead of minimizing them. The site of the injection actually can become more problematic and wrinkled after undergoing several treatments.

5. Adverse Reactions To Certain Drugs

Since you are injecting a foreign substance into your system every time you have Botox injections, there is a chance that it may interact with the medications, and even supplements, that you are taking. If you are suffering from serious conditions and need your pills to maintain your health, then it is unwise to take Botox injections.

There are actually many ways for you to avert aging and minimize the formation of wrinkles. Simply applying sunscreen every time you go out of your house can help a lot in preventing fine lines. Drinking a lot of water can help moisturize your skin from within. And using topical anti-wrinkle creams and lotions, such as Dermaxin, is also an effective and cost-efficient way to beat your wrinkle blues. To know more about this product, simply visit