What to Expect When Getting Facial Botox Injections

Health & Medical Blog

The use of Botox injections to diminish signs of aging is a common practice. However, if you've never gotten them before, it can be intimidating when wondering where to start or what they will be like. This article covers a bit of how Botox injections work, as well as what to expect when preparing for them, going through the treatment, and recovering. 

Basics of Botox Treatment

Botulinum toxin relaxes muscles and lessens their ability to contract by blocking nerve transmission. So when botulinum toxin is injected into the facial muscles it minimizes their movement and in turn, their pull on the skin. Thus wrinkles can be prevented and reduced. 

Preparing for Botox Treatment

When you are looking into getting Botox, it is important to find a doctor you're comfortable with and whose aesthetic matches what you want. To ensure that the treatment is administered safely and correctly, you will need to find a certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist. Consider meeting with multiple doctors to find a good fit.

At your pre-treatment consultation, you will discuss your medical history, medications, supplements, and you will show the doctor your facial expressions. Performing expressions such as raising eyebrows, squinting, and smiling will help them understand how your muscles work. You will then be advised to not drink any alcohol, supplements, or medications that thin your blood for at least 24 hours before the treatment. Often, the consultation and treatment are all done in one appointment. 

The Day of Treatment 

On the day of your treatment, come to your appointment with no makeup. You will have the consultation, sign paperwork, and your doctor will take "before" pictures for later comparison. Including the actual treatment, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes, your entire appointment will only be about an hour long.

Your doctor may use a topical anesthetic or vibrational therapy to relax the muscles and reduce pain. They will have you make various facial expressions and then inject the botulinum toxin where the wrinkles appear. You may feel a pinching or stinging sensation when the needle is inserted, but most people feel little to no pain.

Once the injections are administered it is normal to experience some swelling and bruising. You will be given an icepack to apply for a few minutes to minimize these side effects. After that, you will be instructed to not make exaggerated facial expressions for the next hour and to not lay flat for three to four hours. Your face will be sore to touch and you will likely have a headache. Your surgeon will likely advise you to take acetaminophen.

Recovery 

For the first 24 hours after treatment, you are also asked to not massage or manipulate your skin, lay face down, or do any exercise or strenuous activity. This is to make sure that the injection stays in place.  

It can take a from few days to a week for the injections to take full effect, with the most notable difference first being visible around two weeks. If it is your first time receiving treatment, you will have a follow-up appointment around this one to two weeks mark. Your doctor may do additional injections at this time if asymmetrical facial muscles have resulted in an uneven application. The treatment lasts about three to four months for most people, (up to a year for some) and then needs to be readministered.

Receiving Botox may seem overwhelming but it is one of the most common and safe cosmetic procedures available. If you are considering Botox, contact services like Mansfield Plastic Surgery LLC. 

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16 February 2021