Botox injections make people feel depressed

Women who have Botox injections to get rid of laughter lines are more likely to feel depressed – because they can’t smile properly. The treatment, which works by temporarily ‘freezing’ muscles in the face, cuts off the signals sent to the brain when we smile which make us feel happy. It means the treatment may indirectly spark depression, according to Cardiff University psychologist Dr Michael Lewis. His latest study looked at 25 women who had Botox jabs for frown lines or crows’ feet, or facial fillers. They were asked to complete questionnaires, rating symptoms of depression between two and four weeks later. Women who had their crows’ feet treated scored around 12 compared to an average of seven by women who had their frown lines treated – more than 50 per cent higher. Botox is one of the most popular drugs used for medical and cosmetic treatments, including the reduction of facial lines and wrinkles by regular injections.