11 Things to Know Before Getting Botox
As you age, you want to continue looking as beautiful as you did when you were younger.
We can't stop our body from turning a healthy and plump complexion to wrinkled and saggy skin. But we can take preventative measures so our skin stays healthy.
One of the leading anti-aging methods is Botox. Botox is an inexpensive serum that's injected into the skin. This prevents wrinkles by freezing muscles that cause facial expressions.
Like other anti-aging measures, it's important you're educated before going under the needle.
Whether you get forehead Botox or any other Botox injection, here are 11 facts you should know.
1. Botox is a Neurotoxin
There's a reason why Botox freezes your face: the serum is a neurotoxin. The serum is a diluted form of the Botulinum Toxin. This is derived from the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. The toxic produced by the bacteria causes paralysis.
Most people see "toxin" and immediately get scared. And after reading "bacteria" and "paralysis," you're probably running for the hills. But don't worry -- it's totally safe.
In large quantities, the toxin can cause dangerous paralysis. But the Botox serum is a diluted form of the toxin. All this neurotoxin does is relaxes your facial features and isn't permanent.
Here's the secret to Botox effectiveness: when you make facial features, this movement causes wrinkles.
This is why people develop eye wrinkles when they smile or lip wrinkles when they frown. You also make facial expressions while you sleep, causing wrinkles.
Botox temporarily prevents your face from making expressions so your skin won't form wrinkles.
The neurotoxin works by disabling your nerves in areas such as the forehead and the eyes. This blocks any impulses from the muscles, forcing them to freeze.
2. Botox is Safe -- Under the Right Circumstances
Generally speaking, Botox is safe. Botox is approved by the FDA and is one of the most common cosmetic procedures. Chances are, someone who's licensed to perform Botox is probably doing so correctly.
There are other Botox benefits, other than the famous anti-aging effects. Many people reported migraine alleviation and excessive sweating. Because of this, millions of people receive Botox for both anti-aging and health benefits.
Botox was actually originally invented to treat blepharospasm of the eyelid. Even though Botox was developed in 1989, the FDA didn't approve the treatment for cosmetic purposes until 2002.
But never be too trusting. Take Botox the same way you would any other cosmetic procedure. Do your research, read reviews, and consult with the staff before receiving the treatment.
For best results, only receive Botox from a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist.
Botox does come with a handful of side effects. Do your research and be aware of any potential downsides you may experience.
3. Anyone Can Get Botox
Most Botox clients are middle-aged to older men and women, such as baby boomers, who are trying to erase their wrinkles. But Botox is also hyped up as an anti-aging preventative.
How does Botox work as a preventative? Botox freezes the muscles and controls facial expressions.
This makes us used to not making certain facial expressions. This is why young people in their 20's are starting to regularly receive Botox injections.
Dermatologists and plastic surgeons don't recommend a specific age for Botox treatment. Rather, they urge clients to evaluate their goals, their skin health, your beauty preferences, and aging genetics.
Aging doesn't happen immediately. Aging symptoms develop over time and at a slow rate.
Taking care of aging and skin health at a young age can keep wrinkles at bay. Which is why Botox is effective as an aging preventative and as a treatment.
4. You Won't Look Expressionless
The Botox stereotype is one seen as comical: you see the woman with a face full of plastic surgery and an expressionless face.
But this is a myth. Don't worry -- receiving Botox won't make your face feel frozen and you won't be completely expressionless.
Your facial expressions still have its range of motions. You can still laugh, cry, and make other facial expressions when you're happy and angry.
How Botox restricts your expressions but in a moderate way. You will be refrained from smiling big or raising your eyebrows. But you can still communicate with facial expressions.
The reason why is because of the diluted toxin and where the serum is injected.
The serum only paralyzes certain muscles and won't freeze them strongly. You'll also have Botox injected in certain areas prone to wrinkle formation, so the whole face won't be frozen.
And Botox is only temporary. You'll experience the effects intensely at first and they will fade over time.
5. Botox Won't Fully Remove Your Wrinkles
Even though Botox is effective at treating your aging symptoms, it's not a miracle product. Botox won't fully remove your wrinkles. Botox fades their appearance and prevents new ones from forming.
Botox also only gets rid of certain wrinkles. Mainly, the wrinkles that form with facial expressions.
These include crow's feet (three wrinkles at the outer corners of eyes), the glabella (wrinkles between the brows) and frontalis (forehead wrinkles).
Other wrinkles are known as "static wrinkles." These are wrinkles form even when our skin is relaxed. These wrinkles form for various reasons, such as genetics, exposure to UV rays, and lack of moisture or collagen.
If it's your first time going in for treatment, don't have high expectations. Use Botox a couple of times and you'll notice your wrinkles will fade, but they won't disappear completely. That's because Botox targets your muscles, not the skin.
Using other skincare techniques, such as moisturizers and masks, along with Botox treatments will help fade your wrinkles even more.
6. Botox is a Brand Name
We all refer to "Botox" as, well, Botox. But Botox is only one brand name -- and not surprisingly, the most famous one.
Many different brands create the neurotoxin that causes temporary muscular paralysis. Botox is just one brand.
Not one brand is better than the other. They all originate from the same strain of bacteria. But you should know which brand the doctor uses before going in for treatment.
Other common Botox brands include Dysport and Xeomin. Each has their pros and cons.
Xeomin doesn't contain any extra proteins and is often called the "naked molecule." This serum works faster, deeper, and decreases any side effects.
Dysport tends to spread the farthest, so one injection is able to treat many wrinkles.
Compared to the other two, Botox is technically the weaker one. Patients typically don't see results until a week. Patients see results with Dysport after two days and patients see results with Xeomin after five days.
7. Your Face Will Feel Funny
Not surprisingly, neurotoxins don't feel really great. When the results kick in, your face will feel extremely funny.
So what does Botox feel like? Many patients describe the feeling as if there's duct tape on their face.
The toxin doesn't fully immobilize your facial muscles, just restricts them. Since the toxin freezes your muscles, you'll have difficulty moving them.
Depending on the type of Botox you use, you'll feel results within two-to-seven days. During this time is when the Botox is most intense.
Botox effects typically last between three and six months, and the Botox gradually decreases its strength. When this happens, you regain normal feeling in your face.
Botox can also alter the way your face looks. For example, Botox injected on your brows can make your brows appear lower. This is normal, even though it's undesired. But this kind of effect isn't permanent.
Before you go in for your treatment, discuss the side effects, complications, and things you should expect with your doctor.
8. Men Also Get Botox
Are you a guy who wants to treat or prevent aging symptoms? Don't be embarrassed to walk into a clinic and inquire about Botox. Plenty of men get Botox, as do women.
Actually, Botox is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures amongst men.
This trend hilariously dubbed the name "Bro-Tox."
Why has the Botox trend spawned in men? The same reasons why it's big for women -- men want to look better and feel more confident about their appearance.
But why are men hesitant to get Botox? In male-dominated cultures, improving physical appearance is often looked down upon. Especially when it comes to cosmetic procedures.
But more men are fighting norms by getting these types of procedures.
There's also no difference in the way the toxin affects facial muscles. As with girls, Botox freezes men's facial muscles which prevent them from using certain facial expressions. This helps fade wrinkles over time.
Botox is also a good anti-aging preventative and treatment measure for men, as it is for women. So dads shouldn't feel bad about getting those lines removed.
9. Multiple Sessions Are Required
Botox isn't a one-time thing. To truly see results, multiple sessions are required.
Botox isn't permanent. The effects wear off and your wrinkles re-appear. This is because your nerve cells produce acetylcholine receptors after Botox wears off.
These receptors make the facial expressions that cause wrinkles.
To truly fade your wrinkles, your facial expressions need freezing. Your nerves can't keep producing the receptors that cause facial expressions.
As you use Botox, you'll see a difference. This doesn't happen immediately -- you probably won't see these results until a couple of times of use.
Even with Botox, your collagen breaks down and your skin loses elasticity and moisture. This causes wrinkles. One Botox session can't fully reverse this process -- it requires multiple sessions throughout the year to fight off wrinkles.
These sessions can occur as little as twice a year or as much as six times a year.
On average, Botox lasts about three months. The average Botox client will receive Botox injections around four times a year.
10. You Get What You Pay For
How often do you see Botox advertised? Even if the company is a board-certified doctor, you will get what you pay for. That's not to say the Botox is bad. You have to take service, clinic reputation, and customer reviews into consideration.
These deals may also be a scam. As mentioned previously, you need multiple Botox sessions to see results, but once every few months is all you need.
This "deal" could be a one-payment deal, but you'll have to go for more frequent Botox sessions than you need to.
That's not to say you shouldn't completely distrust a doctor who advertises Botox deals or releases coupons. Rather, research their credentials before your appointment.
11. Know How Many Units You're Getting
If this is your first time getting Botox, you probably have no idea what "units" mean. To explain it easily, a "unit" is a specific amount of the neurotoxin injected into your skin. The more units in an injection site, the stronger the results.
While consulting with a doctor, ask them how many units and how many injections they will do.
Your doctor may say something such as, "three injections and four units per injection." They use this number to gauge the strength and severity of the Botox amount you need.
It also doesn't hurt to ask why they chose that unit and if they plan on changing it in the future.
Will You Get Forehead Botox or Eye Botox?
Botox was developed in 1989 and is still reigning as one of the most popular cosmetic procedures. Whether you get forehead Botox or any other type, you can guarantee your aging symptoms and health concerns will dissipate.
But many Botox clients don't know much about the procedure. Always research the clinic, make sure the doctor is certified, and don't buy into any deals or scams.
Are you looking for Botox in New York City? Take a look at our Botox services.