Over 4 million Botox procedures took place in the U.S. in 2020. It is a common, safe, and quick procedure, yet many people don’t know what to expect when they go in for their first appointment. There are a lot of misconceptions that get passed around when it comes to Botox.
And that is why we have put together this post on everything you need to know about your first Botox appointment. We’ll answer common questions and let you know what to expect. Keep reading to find out exactly what happens during a Botox treatment!
Botox is a cosmetic treatment that uses small doses of the botulinum toxin to temporarily paralyze some of your facial muscles. This gives your skin a smoother and fresher appearance.
Botox is the name of only one brand of this kind of toxin. There are other injectables you can receive such as Dysport and Jeuveau. But “Botox” has become synonymous with the treatment itself.
Some people think that Botox injections plump up your skin. This is not the case at all. The botulinum toxin relaxes your facial muscles, preventing them from moving.
It does this by blocking the communication between the nerve and the muscle. The muscles in the targeted area won’t be able to contract. This is very effective for smoothing fine lines and preventing the formation of more dynamic ones.
Some people get nervous when they hear the word “toxin.” But Botox is safe and FDA-approved. And your provider will use small doses that will only target the intended area.
Others worry that they won’t look natural with Botox. This is a myth.
The purpose of Botox is to make your skin look youthful and natural — just with fewer wrinkles.
Before the procedure, you will have a consultation with your provider. There are two purposes to this appointment.
First, you can talk to them about your goals. Botox is used mostly for fine lines and wrinkles, but there are other conditions that the procedure can address as well. Things like acne, migraines and grinding teeth are sometimes treated with Botox.
Tell your provider what you are hoping to get out of the treatment. They can tell you how realistic your goals are, and help you come up with a treatment plan. This plan will take into account both the time and money that you are willing to spend achieving your goals.
The second purpose of the appointment is to answer any of your lingering questions about Botox.
Most people are surprised by how little a Botox treatment interferes with their day. When you go in, your provider will inject small doses of botulinum toxin into the predetermined spots on your face. The procedure itself only takes about 10-15 minutes.
The needles used for Botox are very small, but you may feel a small and quick prick at the injection site.
After the procedure itself, you may notice small red spots at the injection site. These will fade away within a few hours. Your provider will then talk you through aftercare instructions, which we will detail in the next section.
You should be able to go about your day like normal after your procedure. However, there are a few caveats worth mentioning.
You should avoid strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours after your treatment. You should also avoid covering your injection sites with hats or make-up. You can more or less keep up with your normal skincare routine, but try to avoid rubbing the injection sites and stick with nonabrasive cleansers and lotions for the first 24 hours.
Do not take Ibuprofen or anything else that is labeled as a blood thinner. This could increase your chances of bruising at the injection sites.
Negative side effects are rare. If you have persisting headaches or allergic reactions, call your provider. But most people do not experience any side effects at all.
You will not notice results right away. But you should start to see the smoothing of your fine lines within a few days. After about two weeks, you will witness the full effects of your treatment.
The effects of your Botox will last for a few months, and then you will be ready to go in for your next appointment!
Most recipients of Botox go in every few months for an appointment. If you get Botox regularly, your facial muscles might get used to being paralyzed. This will make the effects last longer every time you go in for an appointment.
Another thing you can do to maximize the effects of your Botox is to avoid behaviors that can increase wrinkles on your skin. Make sure you stay away from things like excessive sun exposure, too much alcohol, and smoking. These three things destroy the collagen in your skin. This not only will prompt wrinkles, but they will diminish the overall health of your skin.
Many people are intimidated or nervous about their first Botox treatment. But there is no need. Botox is common, safe, and easy. Now that you know what to expect from a Botox treatment, you can go ahead and book your consultation and appointment.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Our team at Pure Aesthetics looks forward to helping you with your Botox needs!
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