Let me preface this post by saying, my intention is not to try and persuade anyone into getting Botox. I am just sharing my own experiences and sharing some knowledge!
We have all heard of Botox, or at least the vast majority. For those who don’t know, Botox is a neurotoxin that is used to prevent and treat wrinkles. It is used to treat other things as well, but cosmetic reasons are the most popular. If you have ever considered getting Botox but are intimidated or don’t know where to start, I am going to try my best to help!
Okay, let’s get one of the most popular questions out of the way. Does it hurt? My simple answer to that would be no. With that being said, everyone has a different pain tolerance and different areas of the face can differ with how painful the actual injection is. For example, around the eyes or top of the lip is a bit more uncomfortable to get treated than between the eyebrows or on your forehead. Topical numbing cream is also most likely going to be an available option for you, and it will help the discomfort if you are worried about it!
One of the most important things I can stress to you, is find a reputable place to get Botox. Skimping on price is not a good idea when it comes to needles in your face. I encourage you to do your research to find the best injectors in your area and ask questions. I repeat … ASK QUESTIONS!! Your injector should be able to answer any questions you have and make you feel 100% comfortable and on board before the actual injections begin.
One rule of thumb to keep in mind for your first appointment, is that you should expect to start more on the conservative side when it comes to amount of units. If you are in the hands of a master injector they should recommend that to you anyway, because why get more units than you need? If you still have movement or aren’t getting your desired results, you can always increase your dose at your next appointment!
FAQ’s
Q: What is Botox?
A: Botox is a neurotoxin. It is used to block the signals from the nerves to the muscles, telling the muscles to contract. This results in the treatment and prevention of wrinkles and fine lines. Botox gives an overall smoother look to the skin and makes you look more refreshed and awake.
Q: How long does a normal Botox treatment take?
A: Botox treatments typically take about 10 minutes. Thats it!
Q: How long does it last?
A: Botox generally lasts between 3-4 months.
Q: How much is it?
A: On average, the cost of Botox per unit is anywhere from $10 to $15. The amount of units injected is personalized from patient to patient and depends on your desired result + strength of the muscles that are being treated. To give you a general idea of how many units you may need, I edited a little diagram to referance!
Q: Is there any down time?
A: Nope! After you get injected the only things you will want to avoid are heavy exercise and laying down flat for about 4-6 hours.
Q: Do you look weird right after the treatment?
A: Bruising is always a possibility of course, but most of the time you can’t even tell you had anything done aside from a little redness from the injections.
*Tip: To decrease your chances of bruising, it is recommended that you avoid alcohol for 24-48 hours before your appointment. The same goes for blood thinners such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, fish oil, etc. Blood thinners and alcohol can increase your chances of bruising so try to avoid them if you can.*
Q: How long does it take to see results?
A: You should start seeing results 5-7 days after your treatment, but you will see your finished results after a full 2 weeks.
My personal experience with Botox has been amazing! I am 23 & have been getting Botox for about a year now. I get it mainly for preventative reasons but I have found that Botox also really helps with my tension headaches, which is a huge added bonus. My main goal was to make sure to get a head start on prevention before I got prominent irreversible wrinkles. The areas I get treated are my crows feet, my 11’s which is the area between my brows, the top of my lip for a “lip flip”, and I also get a little brow lift. I work for such an amazing med spa in Lexington, KY and I am blessed to be able to get treated by the the most talented injectors. If you’re in the Lexington area I highly recommend Prive’ Med Spa, you will be in the best of hands!
If you have been considering Botox, I don’t want to tell you if you should or shouldn’t get it. What I can do is tell you that I recommend finding the best injector/injectors in your area and schedule a consultation. You can meet with them and ask any questions you have. Don’t be shy and don’t be afraid to ask even the smallest of questions. You want to leave your consult feeling informed and full of information so you can make the best decision for yourself.
I really hope this post was informative and helpful because I know Botox can seem so overwhelming at first, but once you get more information on the treatment it isn’t so scary. On the other hand if you don’t feel like Botox is for you or you just simply don’t want it, that is okay too! It is a personal choice and you should only get Botox if you are making the decision with full certainty.
xoxo
Brooke Poppy 