What You Should Know Before Getting Botox

The real deal on Botox®

When it comes to minimally-invasive wrinkle-reducing procedures, Botox is one of the most versatile and well-known options. Botox softens forehead wrinkles and can even prevent wrinkles and fine lines from forming if started as a preventative treatment. If you don’t already know how Botox works, it prevents muscles from contracting, smoothing out wrinkles and furrows in the skin. Here’s what you should know before getting Botox for the first time:

1. Expect to make an investment

If a deal seems too good to be true, then it probably is. How much you’ll pay for injections all depends on the cost of the material used, who’s administering it, and your location. Well-trained, board-certified medical professionals in major cities will probably cost more. You’ll want to avoid any steep discounts being offered, since the quality can be far inferior and unregulated. Medical professionals charge by the unit, so you’ll only pay for the actual amount of Botox being used.

2. Schedule a consultation

Arrange a consultation to discuss your cosmetic concerns, treatment options, and risks and benefits. This ensures a safe and effective result.

3. You probably won’t bruise

One common misconception is that Botox will leave you with bruises. There is a small risk that you may bruise, but it’s only about a 10% chance. And because the treatment is done with a very small needle, bruises are typically very small, easily covered up with makeup, and resolve within a few days.

4. There’s minimal downtime involved

One of the reasons why Botox is so popular is because there’s minimal to no downtime required following the procedure. Though you may experience some swelling, you can go back to work right after your appointment. Usually, any swelling subsides within an hour or two.

5. There are some restrictions after treatment

For several hours after a Botox treatment, you should avoid putting on makeup, washing your hair, exercising, lying down, or messing with the injected zones. All of these things can spread the toxin to nearby muscles or weaken the injections.

Bonus: Botox can even reverse the early signs of aging when used preventatively

You might have heard of the term “preventative Botox.” All this means is that, when started early enough in younger patients — typically those in their late twenties and early thirties — Botox can reverse the first signs of fine lines and wrinkles. Pretty amazing, right?