What you should know before getting Botox
So you’re thinking about getting Botox? Or maybe you’ve gotten it in the past and just want to know more. Botox is one of the most popular aesthetic procedures and for good reason! The results can be darn near amazing, the downtime is minimal, and if done correctly the side effects should be nearly non-existent.
1: Your injector matters
Botulinum toxin or “tox” is only as effective as the person injecting it. It requires skill and proper knowledge of facial anatomy to get the best results. Choosing an experienced and talented injector will absolutely make a difference in your outcome. When tox is injected by
a skilled provider your wrinkles will lessen or even disappear, but you won’t look stiff or abnormal. Don’t be afraid to ask the credentials and background of the person with the needle!
2. Consultation is important
Your injector should be asking you to make different facial movements like raising your eyebrows or smiling. They may even feel the muscle movement with their fingers.
An experienced professional is evaluating your natural facial movements carefully because just like any other medication, your treatment should be individualized for you. No two people are alike and different muscles need a different dose.
Your injector also should be collecting a good health history to determine if any dosage adjustments need to be made.
“An experienced professional is evaluating your natural facial movements carefully because just like any other medication, your treatment should be individualized for you.”
3. Say no to bargains
Medical aesthetic products are expensive. Which means if pricing is questionably low, you may either be getting a diluted product, illegally obtained product (See #4), or an injector
with questionable credentials. You’re also typically better off with an office that bases pricing on number of units. Not area being treated. Facial muscles work together, particularly in the forehead so often it’s necessary to treat more than one area. Pricing per unit guarantees that you are getting the amount you need and you aren’t being overcharged or under-dosed.
4. Make sure your office is an official vendor of the products being injected
You’d be shocked at some of the underhanded practices in the aesthetics industry. As previously mentioned, unusually low bargain prices are not what you’re looking for when it comes to your face! It’s possible that the ability to offer such low prices comes from obtaining foreign products such as Asia or Europe. Not only is this practice very illegal, but use of products outside of US manufacturers may compromise the effectiveness and safety. You might even get a totally counterfeit product.
5. To decrease bruising we’d like for you to avoid a few things prior to injection
Most people realize that regularly taking aspirin or other blood thinners may increase bruising, but did you know that fish oil and ibuprofen can do the same thing? We DO NOT want you discontinuing medications prescribed to you by your PCP prior to injection as often the risk of not taking these is worse than a little extra bruising. Typically a few days off of ibuprofen and fish oil are totally okay however. If you’re unsure we are happy to answer any questions!
The other thing we see a bit of increased bruising with is alcohol. If possible, avoid drinking alcohol for 48 hour prior to your appointment. If you forget, don’t worry! It’s okay to go ahead and get injections. Just be aware increased bruising is possible. Typically bruising with tox is minimal to none.
6. Tox doesn’t last forever
This can be either a good or bad thing depending on your results. Most brands of botulinum toxin (Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, Xeomin) last about 3-4 months on average. You don’t just wake up one morning and it’s gone, however. It’s a slow fade back to normal. The good news is over time with appropriate frequency and amount, you often will need fewer units. This is due to facial muscles being less dynamic and getting weaker. Do you want to stop getting tox altogether? No problem! You will NOT be more wrinkled than when you began, which is often a fear for people. In reality, the period of time you did use tox will delay the aging process a bit due to the weakened muscle.
7. Be prepared for after care
There’s not a long list of after care instructions, but there are a few rules you should follow. For several hours afterward avoid make up, exercise, or laying down. Facial massage or messing with injection sites are also a no-no. Early after injection it is possible to spread the tox to other surrounding muscles. While you’re waiting for it to settle in the muscle, avoid facials, facial massage, or exfoliating scrubs for the first 24 hours.
Written by Kimberly Swopes, NP-C
April 22, 2022
