*Disclaimer – the information provided in this post is educational and informational in nature. I am not a doctor. Always discuss the use of Botox with a medical physician!
One of the most popular aesthetic procedures today, getting Botox injections is also an incredibly divisive topic. Should you or shouldn’t you? Does getting Botox treatments each year (like the nearly 6 million people who do) erase your wrinkles? Maybe not. But, approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) since 2002, there are many other benefits that getting Botox can provide. With all the controversial opinions and having gotten Botox a few times myself, I decided to share everything you need to know about Botox so you can make an informed decision on whether or not you should get it.
Everything You Need To Know About Botox
The pressures on women today to have flawless skin, free of acne, wrinkles or any blemishes has never been higher. And the impact of social media can’t be ignored. Perhaps it’s my age (pushing 40), but I believe that all women are beautiful, despite any fine lines or aging skin. So, my personal goal isn’t to have zero wrinkles. Rather, I’m just trying to age gracefully. So much of how you might achieve that is based on a healthy lifestyle (clean eating, getting enough sleep, working out to maintain muscle mass). Of course, then there’s everyone’s favorite – genetics. There are some of us who were struck by that lucky stick! But, Botox has many other uses, like treating excessive sweating, reducing pain from migraines, relieving jaw stress and even helping with acne.
What Is Botox?
Let’s break this down – what is Botox? In a nutshell, Botox is a neurotoxin that is used to temporarily “freeze” face muscles. It’s formal name is botulinum toxin (or Onobotulinumtoxin A) and you might be familiar with it’s other names too – Dysport®, Xeomin®, and Jeuveau®. Like Botox®, these are all just brand names of what are very similar products.
How does Botox work?
Essentially, the toxin limits muscle contractions in the area where it’s injected (primarily the forehead, under eye and between the eyebrows) which means it’s harder to deepen existing wrinkles or fine lines in those areas. Perhaps it’s that pesky line across your forehead or those “eleven” lines between your eyes from squinting at your computer screen. Or, in my case, it’s all my crows feet around my eyes from enjoying life and laughing all the time.
What Is Botox For?
Preventative Anti-aging
In my case, I’m not trying to have zero wrinkles. I just want to be preventative, elongating the time it takes to form them! There are differing opinions on when (and if) you should start getting Botox for these purposes. One thing I won’t waver on – get it done by a professional, preferably a plastic surgeon or at your dermatologist’s office. My first Botox injections were when I was 36 years old by my close friend’s husband, the well-known board certified plastic surgeon, Jonathan Kaplan of Pacific Heights Plastic Surgery in San Francisco. Most recently, I’ve been going to Caroline Kozlowski, ARNP, at Sanctuary Medical Center.
Aside from treating wrinkles, Botox has as many as 20 other medical uses, including:
Treat Excessive Sweating
The FDA has also approved Botox for use to treat excessive sweating in the underarms, hands, face and feet. For some, an extra strength antiperspirant solves these challenges. But, for others – they still struggle with sweating through their clothes. If you or someone you know suffers from persistent sweating (also known as hyperhidrosis), Botox may be able to help! Currently its approved for use under arms, but studies have shown significant improvements when used “off-label” in the hands as well.
Reduce Pain from Migraines
The botulinum toxin has proven very successful in reducing painful migraines as much as 75% in one study. For those with migraines, you know firsthand how debilitating they can be, basically ruining your day. Specifically using Botox to treat migraines can require a number of shots in different areas around the face and in the neck, so be sure to consult your doctor to see if you’re a candidate.
Relieve Jaw Stress
Another major use of Botox is to relieve jaw stress. Maybe you regularly grind or clench your teeth (helloooo I own and use a mouth guard) or have been diagnosed with TMJ disorder. My trusty mouth guard works wonders. But, I don’t have ongoing jaw pain associated with it. If you have ongoing tension or aches in your jaw, a dentist (or doctor or nurse) may recommend injecting Botox into the masseter muscles. The added benefit? Botox in these muscles can soften your face, making it look slimmer.
What To Expect During A Botox Procedure
Now that you know some of the primary uses of Botox, here’s what you can expect during the quick procedure.
Step 1 – the appointment and consultation
Contrary to what you see in my pictures here, ideally you should not be wearing makeup when you go to your appointment. Again, I highly recommend scheduling to see a board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist (or even your dentist) to get Botox injections. I’ve just never been much of a med spa girl myself. Anyways, the first part of the appointment will likely involve a few photos of your face (gotta love a before and after!). Then, the doctor will talk to you about the areas you want to treat.
Step 2 – Numb the skin? Not really needed. Time for the Botox injections.
The needle used for Botox injections is tiny and it’s injected in small doses. So, there’s no numbing required. I promise you – it goes quickly!
Step 3 – Botox recovery and side effects
Some offices will gently massage the area after the injection and they almost always give you a small ice pack to apply. The reality? You may experience a little bit of bruising as a side effect. You can try taking Arnica to help with it! The recommendations are mixed as far as activity goes after getting Botox. If it’s your first time, you may want to avoid any exercise for 24 hours. My first time I had a bit of a headache for a few days. But, it was minor.
Facts About Botox Injections
Botox is temporary (like 3-6 months temporary)
Ugh, I wish we could say that you could get Botox once and that would be it. But, truth is that how long it lasts varies from person to person. Typically, it’s about 3-4 months and then the maintenance starts. But, that depends on how fast your body metabolizes the neurotoxin and how many units you get. I like to go 1-2 a year for my Botox injections.
You see the results immediately.
You might think that you’ll see the results of your Botox injections the second you walk out the door. But, it can take up to two full weeks to really see the effects. What I love about Sanctuary Medical Center is that they schedule you for a check-in two weeks after your appointment to be sure you’re seeing the results you expected. My Botox before and after photos above were taken just about two weeks apart and you can see the huge improvement in my crows feet around and under my eyes.
The number of units you need varies.
The number of units you need will depend on a number of things. First – your age and current skin condition. Next, how many areas you’re treating. Always discuss the number of units you’ll get with your doctor before they start any injections. You don’t want any surprises when you go to pay!
You can temporarily “freeze” your face.
Yup – there is such a thing as too much Botox. Whether preventative or not, we’ve all seen someone who has a hard time laughing or whose forehead doesn’t move a muscle. It’s not cute. We are meant to enjoy life and to make faces, be it silly or confused or scary. Your doctor should be keenly aware of how much will be too much for you. Or, you can just always start with less and see how your facial muscles react.
Getting Botox treatments is a personal choice. Some people may not like it if you decide to do it for cosmetic or aesthetic reasons. But, it’s your choice! From the reduction in fine lines and wrinkles to more serious improvements like a reduction in jaw discomfort or excessive sweating – it not only improves physical conditions – it can also improve confidence.
