Botox injections are shots that use a toxin to prevent a muscle from moving for a limited time. These shots are often used to smooth wrinkles on the face. They are also used to treat medical issues such as neck spasms, sweating, overactive bladder, lazy eye and other conditions. Botox shots also may help prevent migraine.

The medicine in Botox injections is made from the same toxin that causes a type of food poisoning called botulism. But the forms of purified botulinum toxin used by licensed health care providers meet medical control standards. These standards were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As a rule, the bacteria toxins used for medical purposes are not harmful if used correctly.

The preparation for a Botox Appointment is not complicated, but you still have to prepare nonetheless. Some of the things that you will be expected to do while you wait for the injection include the following:

Washing Your Face

You need to clean your face and ensure that it doesn’t have excess oil, makeup, moisturizers or any other form of dirt. Feel free to use what you normally use to clean your face, such as warm water and soap. Prior to your injections, I will also be sanitizing the treatment area with an antiseptic wipe.

Don’t Drink Alcohol During the Week Leading Up to the Appointment (if possible)

Alcohol prior to your Botox injections may increase the chances of bruising on your face. Therefore, it is recommended that before you undergo a Botox treatment, you should refrain from drinking alcohol for at least seven days to avoid facial bruising.

Avoid Anti-inflammatory Medication

Just like wine and alcohol, you are also discouraged from ingesting any form of anti-inflammatory medication at least seven days prior to your Botox appointment. Most anti-inflammatory medications also have higher chances of causing bruising and discoloration following the treatment, and this may interfere with the ultimate results of the procedure.

Don’t Take Medication That Can Thin Blood

There are certain medications known to thin blood, and it is recommended that you avoid these for at least a week leading up to Botox injections. Some of these medications include those with fish oil, Ginseng, Gingko Biloba, Vitamin E, and Excedrin, among others. Avoiding these kinds of medication will minimize any possibility for post-Botox bruising.

Plan Your Appointment Accordingly

While I will do my very best not to cause any bruising, it sometimes can still occur due to hidden tiny blood vessels that I cannot visualize while injecting. If you have a special event on the calendar, it would be best to schedule your Botox appointment 2-4 weeks prior so that your results will be in full effect and also give any possible bruising enough time to disappear prior to the event.

I will do a full assessment and give you my professional recommendations, while of course factoring in your personal desires and concerns. If I believe that your cosmetic concerns cannot be helped with Botox I will give you my honest opinion and recommendations.

I will then give you time to review the medical consent form, and I will answer any questions you may have. After the medical consent form is signed we will decide on a treatment plan. I will then take some before photos which will be kept private in your medical record. I will explain the entire process to you and also give you the exact cost prior to doing any injections. I will then clean/disinfect the injection area with alcohol prep pads. I do my best to make the process as comfortable as possible and the injections are rather quick. I will then review post care instructions and also give you instructions in writing.

If you have allergies to the ingredients in Botox, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have underlying nerve or muscle disorders, or a history of keloid scarring, you may not be a good candidate for Botox.

Botox is a powerful treatment that reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines while preventing the formation of new ones. It achieves this by temporarily paralyzing targeted muscles in the face, stopping them from contracting. 

Botox injections are especially effective when administered on crow’s feet, frown lines, forehead lines, and furrows. These are the areas that people notice first when they face you and are prone to wrinkles due to repeated muscle movements. Investing in this non-surgical cosmetic procedure is a perfect way to address these issues.  

When the aging signs appear, you will likely feel unhappy and less confident about your appearance. No one wants to look older than their age. Luckily, one of Botox’s benefits is that it can quickly address your aging concerns and take your self-esteem a notch higher. 

Botox is relatively affordable compared to other medical aesthetic treatments and many clients find it painless or notice minimal discomfort during injection. There is generally no downtime post injection. Clients are able to see their results rather quickly (1-2 weeks post injections) and results last on average 3-4 months.

Botox injections are usually safe when you are under the care of a licensed and skilled health care provider. While complications with Botox injections are rare, there is always a small possibility that issues can occur even with a skilled injector. Possible side effects and unwanted results include:

• Pain, swelling or bruising at the injection site.

• Headache or flu-like symptoms (usually within the first 24 hours post injection).

• Droopy eyelids or crooked eyebrows.

• A crooked smile or drooling.

• Watery or dry eyes.

• Infection at the injection site.

You cannot receive Botox injections and micorneedling on the same day. Generally, I recommend that you space the sessions at least 2-4 weeks apart.

The Don’ts:

•Don’t lay flat for 4 hours after treatment.

•Don't exercise vigorously for 24 hours following treatment.

•Don't take ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory medications within 48 hours after treatment.

•Don't apply makeup right away after treatment; wait until any redness has subsided before applying makeup over treated areas in order to cover up any bruising or discoloration that may have occurred during injections.

•Don’t get a facial for at least two weeks post-injection.

•Don't forget sunscreen! Sun exposure can lead to premature aging so make sure to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ when going outdoors following Botox treatments—this will help protect your skin from sun damage and prolong its youthful appearance.

The Do’s:

•Be gentle with your skin for 24 hours after treatment.

•Avoid touching or rubbing the area.

•If possible, avoid sleeping on the side of your face where your injections were administered.

•Ice the area if necessary.

•Drink plenty of water before and after treatment.

•Follow any post-treatment instructions provided by your provider.

Typically, clients can start to see their results in as little as a few days post injection but it typically takes 2 weeks to see full results.

How long should my Botox last?

Eventually, the action of the neurotoxin will wear off and the nerves will again be able to send their signals to the muscles to start working or contracting. In general, Botox lasts 3-4 months. There will certainly be patients in which in lasts longer, in that 4-6 month range, or shorter, in that 2-month range. There are many factors that can impact the duration, such as gender, dose administered, metabolism, muscle strength, sun exposure, stress, lifestyle habits, exercise, etc.

Tips to increase the longevity of your Botox injections

1. Use highly-skilled Botox injectors who provide the ideal dosage for your results and longevity.

2. Avoid strenuous workouts and direct sunlight for the first 24 hours.

3. Avoid direct exposure to sunlight or tanning beds.

4. Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen whenever you go outside.

5. Moisturize your skin and stay hydrated.

6. Avoid or manage stress.

7. Take zinc supplements to promote anti-aging.

8. Stop smoking.

9. Avoid strenuous workouts.

10. Maintenance treatments at appropriate intervals to extend the Botox results.

Ideally most people should be getting Botox injections every 3-4 months.

The amount of Botox units needed can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, gender, tolerance, lifestyle habits, cosmetic goals, severity of lines, etc. I typically will underestimate the amount of Botox needed with first time clients so that I can assess their reaction to it. We can always schedule a follow up visit to add more Botox if needed or desired.

Average number of units of Botox for the specific areas of the face:

• Chin: 2-6 units

• Corners of the mouth: 3-6 units

• Crow’s feet (outer canthal lines): 8-18 units

• Eyebrow lift: 2-5 units

• Forehead lines/horizontal lines: 10-30 units

• Frown lines: 15-25 units

• Lines around the nose: 5-10 units

• Neck (platysmal) bands: 25-50 units