Botox, an increasingly popular cosmetic outpatient procedure that has been well-known for its ability to reduce frown lines and fine wrinkles. You may be doing some research into Botox as a first-time treatment. This blog post walks you through the basics of what to expect at your first Botox treatment, and will have you walking into that clinic feeling 100% prepared!
First Appointment
This is to determine if you are a good candidate For Botox and will be performed by someone else than the practitioner who performs your Botox treatment. This will be a critical step where you can talk about your future objectives. The professional will go over your health history and any medications you are on to make sure Botox is appropriate for you during the consultation. They will also consider your facial anatomy to determine the best injection sites for desirable results.
Pre-Treatment Preparation
Before your Botox treatment, you have to prepare few steps. He will likely have you temporarily discontinue medications and supplements which can increase bleeding or bruising risk, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin), and vitamin E; he may also ask that you refrain from alcohol for at least 24 hours prior to the procedure. These are all precautions that serve to reduce the chance of side effects and a smoother experience throughout treatment.
The Botox Procedure
The day of your actual procedure (with Botox) typically comes and goes just like that! Meanwhile, the entire session usually takes around 10 to 30 minutes (if you have your armpits treated), depending on how many areas will be diagnosed. The procedure is broken down as follows:
1. Skin Cleansing: The first step is to cleanse your skin, removing any makeup and impurities.
2. The practitioner will use a pen or marker to mark the areas on your skin where they want needles for injection. This is to be able to know exactly how accurate the coordinates were.
3. Giving the Injections: Botox is injected into the specific muscle with an extremely small needle. Depending on the site of treatment and what we are trying to achieve, a different number of injections is required. For most patients, it feels like a mild pinch or pressure.
4. Post-Injection Care: The practitioner may massage the areas after injections to spread out and even distribute the Botox a little better. You may also have an ice pack placed over your eye to help minimize any swelling or pain.
Post-Treatment Guidelines
Once you get Botox, there are several post-treatment guidelines that need to be followed in order to achieve desired results and avoid anything irregular. A few important notes to remember:
– DON’T touch: No rubbing, massage or pressure on the Botox treated area for at least 24 hours so that you don’t move Botox into off-target muscles. (Betcha didn’t know about those neck wrinkles!)
– Keep upright: Do not lie down or bend over during the first four hour period post-treatment. This will allow the Botox to fully settle into the specific muscles that were targeted.
– No Strenuous Activities: If you like running, boxing, or even hitting up a sauna-havin’ gym session after work-it’s tellin’ ya… sit tight darling, because for at least 24 hours post-treatment your blood flow amping exercise can twitch and tinker with how beautifully precise our muscle relaxant spreads.
– Touch Base: Book in some time over 2-3 weeks following D day so we smash out just what y’all look from but if any nooks still need patching up! It usually takes a few days to 1 week for Botox to completely take hold and your injector will want you back in the office for reassessment.
Results and Side Effects
Your fine lines and wrinkles will improve significantly several days after your initial Botox treatment. The complete results typically take up to 2 weeks and can last from 3-6 months. Mild redness, swelling or bruising at the injection sites is normal and typically subsides within 1-2 days. The main issue is that these are all going to be temporary and our protest will simply dissipate in a few days. If you have any strange or serious side effects, tell your practitioner straight away.
It is a quick and virtually painless procedure that can greatly improve the way you look for relatively little effort. This will help you understand what to expect and with following the pre- and post-treatment guidelines, you should be able to have a smooth experience. Contact us or book a free consultation if you’re considering your first botox treatment.
