What To Know Before Getting Botox

Botox is a highly sought after beauty treatment. By preventing the muscles from fully contracting, wrinkles are reduced or removed.

Many people want to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines on their face due to facial expressions (smiling, frowning, etc., will cause this over time!) Botox has become the go-to treatment.

Over 90 percent of those who get Botox are women, with the main age demographic being between 45-54. But before you book your Botox appointment, here are a few things you should know first.

When should you get Botox?

You don't need to be a certain age to get Botox. Many people associate wrinkles and fine lines with old age, and while these may be more defined in older people, younger people in their twenties and thirties can still get Botox.

These younger people will just not need as much product as someone who has more obvious wrinkle lines. Not only this, getting Botox earlier may potentially help in preventing wrinkles from forming.

With many people facing the pressure to look even younger, it's no wonder why preventative Botox has become so popular in recent years. Not only that, but the impact of social media has encouraged men and women to get Botox even in their early 20s.

In fact, in 2019, it was reported that Botox procedures have increased by almost 30 percent since 2010 among 20 to 29-year-olds.

If patients are in their teens and would like to get Botox, many doctors will refuse to do the procedure. Instead, they will suggest focusing on skincare and including exfoliation and SPF protection to prevent wrinkles.

They may even recommend chemical peels or laser treatments to improve fine lines. However, if a person is age 18 or older, they can get Botox and may do so, even without parental consent.

How much is it?

If you happen to find an incredible deal on Botox, it may be a good idea to do more research on that. Knowing the cost of Botox shots in your area can help you determine whether the deal is fair or if it's too good to be true.

Botox cost isn't overly high, to begin with, so if you're seeing it for an incredibly cheap price, be sure to question why this is. Some places may dilute their dosages, or it may have been bought from a different country.

Botox is measured in units, and nowadays, one unit typically costs between $10 to $15. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, an average dosage of 30 to 40 units may be needed to treat forehead wrinkles and deep lines around the eye area. This means that you can expect to pay anywhere between $300 to $600 to get these areas wrinkle-free.

What Are The Expected Results?

When Botox is injected properly by a licensed medical doctor, one’s wrinkles or fine lines will appear softer after several days. While the results aren’t instant, the weakening of muscle starts in two to three days, and movement is stalled.

Patients can see the best results 10 to 14 days after the procedure.

Can you overdo Botox?

The effects of Botox aren't permanent, and its skin-smoothening effects generally lasts three to six months. To maintain a wrinkle-free appearance, you'll need to get more shots in the same areas. However, it is important to know that facial muscles weaken over time, and getting too many injections in certain areas can have unwanted results.

The skin can appear thinner and looser around the eyes or forehead, and the muscles can get weaker and flatter. Moreover, you can get stiff facial expressions or an odd, expressionless looking face. Thankfully, the effects will wear off after a few months, so your best bet is to be conservative when using injectables.

Patients may experience possible side effects after a Botox procedure, including eye dryness, excessive tearing, and pain and swelling at the injection site. Also, you might experience headaches and flu-like symptoms. Some people experience cockeyed eyebrows or droopy eyelids, drooling, and crooked smiles.

The chance of the toxin spreading to other body parts is very slim. But if you observe muscle weakness, breathing issues, vision problems, difficulty swallowing, or loss of bowel control a few hours or weeks after the procedure, see a doctor immediately. These are possible signs of toxin infiltration to other body areas.

Can you use Botox in other ways?

Apart from getting rid of wrinkles and fine lines, Botox injections are also used to treat certain conditions such as bruxism, also known as teeth grinding. By injecting Botox into the masseter muscle, it can reduce grinding and teeth clenching. As a bonus, it can also slim a large jaw, giving you that much coveted V-shape jawline.

In Asian countries such as South Korea, having a small face is considered to be a beauty standard for women, so it's no surprise why facial contouring using Botox injections is such a popular treatment there.

Botox injections can also be used to treat excessive sweating or severe hyperhidrosis. This treatment is suitable for those whose sweating shows no signs of improvement even when using prescription antiperspirants.

To treat this condition, doctors may inject Botox into the armpits and other sweaty areas, such as the face, hands, and feet. This is said to be a favorite treatment among celebrities, politicians, and corporate leaders, who need to look fresh and confident while they're on the job.

Get a consultation

Ensure you have a consultation before your first dose. The person performing your Botox injection needs to see the way your face moves naturally when you smile and frown. The last thing you want is to go straight into Botox without this and end up with a droopy lip! Botox is limited, and you will need to get continuous top-ups if you want the effects to last.

The good thing about this, though, is if you're not happy with your Botox treatment, you're not stuck with it forever. While being pricked in the face with a needle isn't a very comfortable feeling, be aware you may feel a little pain or discomfort for up to an hour after your injections. But hey, that's definitely worth it for some!

See a qualified Botox practitioner or dermatologist who can assess your eligibility for this procedure. Your doctor may suggest a facelift to provide more visible results than Botox or other injectable treatments.

The results of this procedure last longer than injectable treatments – about ten years or more. An experienced cosmetic surgeon must perform this surgical procedure.

Discover more about cosmetic and plastic surgeons here. 

If reducing lines on your face, like forehead lines, frown lines, and crow's feet, is something you'd like done, then Botox may just be for you.

Make sure you understand everything mentioned above before you book your first appointment to ensure you get the best first experience possible! If Botox helps you to feel confident in your body, then we say go for it.