A breast lift is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin from the breasts and restores them to a more youthful position on the chest. For some patients, the procedure can also give the appearance of fuller breasts and more defined cleavage. As the procedure has grown in popularity, claims of achieving a breast lift without incisions or anesthesia have been made. One of those claims involves the use of Botox to lift the breast and provide additional fullness. Can injections of a popular wrinkle relaxer give you the upper body contour you are hoping for?
What Botox Does
Botox is in a category of medicines called neuromodulators, which are chemicals that work by relaxing targeted muscles of the body. As a wrinkle reducer, Botox is injected into facial muscles that lead to the formation of wrinkles. By relaxing the muscles in the face, lines and creases are effectively smoothed away. Botox is especially effective around the forehead, between the eyebrows and at the outer corners of the eyes.
Botox for the Breasts
The train of thought among a handful of physicians is that Botox injections in the chest area can also provide a natural lift to the breasts. The idea is that injections administered directly into the pectoral muscles, relaxes those muscles in the front of the torso so that the shoulders aren’t pulled forward presumably leading to naturally “lifted” breasts. The creator of the technique, Dr. Neetu Nirdosh, claims the quick, comfortable procedure can give sagging breasts a lift and make them look up to one size larger.
Risks and Results
According to the claims, results of a Botox breast lift can be seen right away. However, the results will be temporary, and women will need to return for more injections every 3-6 months to maintain the results.
Botox is not approved for the breast by the FDA, so physicians that are doing so are using the drug off label. There is some concern that if the botulinum toxin spread to other areas of the body during treatment, it could impact the patient’s breathing. Another concern is the fact that much more Botox must be used to treat these larger muscles than is needed for the smaller muscles of the face. The cost of treating these large muscles can be extremely expensive and prohibitive for many women.
Making a Better Choice
In addition to the concerns listed above, Botox does not address the skin stretch and sagging of the breast tissue that lead to the breast changes that compel women to seek surgical correction. Botox injections also won’t reposition the nipple and areola that often migrate downward when breasts begin to sag.
Dr. Andrews uses traditional surgical techniques to lift the breasts, which have been shown to be safe and effective. Procedures are performed on an outpatient basis and patients enjoy long-lasting breast rejuvenation. To learn more about your breast lift options, contact Dr. Andrews Plastic, Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery at 319-800-6877.
