Written by Ali Waychoff, Reviewed by Dr. Justin Harper, MD
What To Expect At Your Botox Appointment
Botox — the only B word that’s acceptable at the dinner table — is a beautiful liquid wrinkle relaxer that will have the clocks turning back just for you! Botox is a neurotoxin that, when injected into the lined areas of your face, will block the nerves from wanting to contract and wrinkle.
If you’re wondering if Botox is right for you, take a quick look in the mirror. See any lines when your face is at rest? If so, it’s Botox time!
Since the decision to get Botox is a big one to make, you’ll probably want to do a little research beforehand, and I’m sure the questions are piling up. With this being said, what can one even expect at their first Botox appointment?
How Do I know If I Need Botox?
To answer this one, we need to look closely at your skin — we won’t judge, we promise! Seeing wrinkles at rest is the first indicator of needing a little tune up.
However, if these lines are all over your face, chest, and neck and they’re deeper than the occasional wrinkle that might pop through in your 20’s, you might need Botox as well as another service such as Microneedling, to fix these lines.
You might think, “A needle in my face! Is this going to hurt?” It’s a valid question, and we get it. Everyone’s pain tolerance is different. Botox feels like a finger prick and is extremely quick. Most Botox appointments only last 20 minutes or so, most clients come in for their treatment on their lunch breaks.
Okay, I Know I Need It. What Happens Next?
After booking, show up for the appointment — okay, duh! You’ve asked all the questions and you feel confident about getting rid of the wrinkles.
A full treatment of Botox is 50 units that treats three areas: the forehead, between the brows, and crows feet. Depending on the severity of the lines, how deep they are, and where they’re located, a client may not need a full 50 units. Most are concerned with their forehead lines, so it’s best to start there.
Once you’ve chatted with your Master Provider about how many units your skin will benefit the most from, it’s time to treat yourself! A provider will map out the areas of concern, have you make a few silly faces to target the wrinkles, and begin injecting.
I Got Botox! Anything Else?
Most people will have what we call Botox bumps — small bumps that look like mosquito bites — for roughly 10-15 minutes at the injection sites. Don’t try and push these bad boys down and don’t play around with them– they will go away on their own. Some may even experience a minor Botox headache, but it’s nothing to worry about. Just grab some Ibuprofen if it gets too unbearable.
Botox will activate in 5-10 days after being treated, and your face will feel tight and wrinkle free. After two weeks, if there is still some movement and wrinkling in a few of your problem areas, , book a follow-up appointment to get a couple more injections.
RBF — Resting Botox Face — has never looked better!