In recent years, in aesthetic surgery, botulinum toxin treatment, or botox, as is the established term, is gaining more and more followers, both sexes benefiting from the results of this treatment. Not many people know the controversy generated by the question: “Botox induces depression or not?” Those who support this argument are aesthetic surgeons or psychologists who, following studies on botulinum toxin-treated patients, concluded that yes, it could lead to depression. A significant percentage of women who had botox treatment for facial regeneration had depressive symptoms , because they were unable to smile normally. On the other hand, there are aestheticians who, based on the experience with botox patients to reduce frowning lines, also found a significant reduction in depression at these people. Considering that depression affects about 120 million people globally, the trend is growing, the question arises:
Could the botulinum toxin treatment be included in antidepressive therapy or not?
It is obvious to everybody the importance of the face muscles which by contracting or relaxing change the physiognomy of the face depending on the person’s psycho-active state at that time, thus transmitting the desired message to the people. In 1872, renowned researcher Charles Darwin recognized the role of face mimicry in transmitting emotions of all kinds. Near to present time, in 2003 new evidence emerged that supports the advantages of botox treatment at face level to combat depression resulting in a more relaxed and happier look The connections between the glabellar region and the limbic region, the contractions of the corrugator and procerus muscles, and the impulses to the brain area, have been found. Studies and research carried out all over the world on the effect of botulinum toxin on depression, bipolar disorder, posttraumatic syndrome tend to lead to the same result, namely, Botox fights all these events and is worthy to be part of treatment to solve these problems.