Non surgical cosmetic treatments are becoming more and more normal by the day. With modern medical technology, our ability to fix fine lines, wrinkles, and other insecurities is becoming easier and easier. Getting Botox is one of the most popular ways of doing so.
If you’re considering getting Botox, you’ve likely become frustrated with the maturity of your appearance. Though fine lines and wrinkles are natural and nothing to be concerned about or insecure over, they can be an annoying sign of aging. Therefore, if you feel more youthful than your facial lines suggest, the thought of getting Botox can be very alluring.
However, with such a treatment comes many questions and concerns. The process of getting Botox can feel elusive, as cosmetic procedures can be surrounded by a wealth of misinformation and uncertainty. As such, finding out what Botox does, and when it begins to work, can be tricky.
Though Botox is a non surgical procedure, it’s still important for your health and your sake of mind to ensure you are clued up on the process. To make sure you feel confident and comfortable before getting Botox, check out the information below.
What is Botox?
Botox, medically known as Botulinum toxin, has many clinical uses. It is used in treating a variety of medical issues, though it is most widely known for its uses in the treatment of facial lines and wrinkles.
It is important to note before getting Botox, that it is used for dynamic lines, rather than static wrinkles. This means that it is best used on lines which have formed due to repetitive muscle movements, rather than on those formed by aging, or sagging skin, and by sun damage.
Common areas that are treated with Botox are:
- Lines on the forehead
- Crow’s feet (fine lines around the eye area)
- Laugh lines
- Frown lines
- The glabella (the part of the forehead above and between the eyebrows).
Is Botox Safe?
In large quantities, Botox is considered a dangerous substance. However, for the small doses used in cosmetic procedures, Botox is considered very safe, and is FDA approved.
Though, it is important to note that it is potentially dangerous in other ways. Injecting any substances into your face can feel scary and can have adverse effects on your self-esteem, if it doesn’t produce the desired outcome.
As such, it is very important that you have full confidence in the person carrying out the procedure and that you are well informed of the process. Therefore, it is best to get your Botox done by a qualified medical practitioner.
How Does Botox Work?
Once injected into a targeted area, it blocks signals from the nerves to the muscles which cause the muscles to contract. The muscles then relax, which reduces the unwanted lines or wrinkles.
How Does It Feel To Get Botox?
As the Botox is being injected into the skin, there is almost no pain. Botox needles are very small, so they will cause minimal discomfort. Though, following administration, there may be a slight stinging at the sight of the injection. You might also see a small bump where it was injected, however, this will quickly fade.
After treatment, it’s important to follow the advice of your practitioner well. It is likely that they will tell you to avoid touching the site of injection for 24 hours, remain upright for four hours, and refrain from exercising for the rest of the day.
There may be some bruising at the site of injection, however. If that is the case, it should quickly fade and is nothing to be very concerned about. It is also normal to have a slight headache after treatment.
In the following days, your muscle movement on the face will be quite restricted. Additionally, you may feel a sensation of heaviness, which will likely subside within one to two weeks.
How Long Does It Take for Botox to Start Working?
After getting botox, you will notice changes to your face within a few hours. However, it is really important to remember that this is not the finished product. As discussed above, you will experience difficulty in moving facial muscles – this is normal!
The desired outcome will likely be visible within two to three days after injection. However, this still isn’t the final outcome. It can take up to 14 days after treatment for the full effects of the Botox to become apparent. After this time, it is a good idea to check in with the practitioner to ensure everything is as it should be.
Sometimes, if you have particularly strong facial muscles, the treatment may take longer to take effect. Similarly, for those with deeper lines, more than one injection may be needed. This is quite normal and nothing to be concerned about.
In order to work, the injected Botox must reach the cellular level of the muscle. Here, it will block the neurotransmitters in the nerve, and thus prevent the muscle from moving. This process may take time, so it’s important that you’re patient! It is a process that is well worth waiting for.
How Long Does Treatment Last?
For cosmetic procedures, Botox generally lasts between 4 to 6 months. However, this isn’t a strict time frame and will vary considerably from person to person. This will depend on a range of factors, such as the speed of your own metabolism, the size of the muscle being treated, the dosage you receive, your age, and the freshness of the Botox.
Final Thoughts
Botox can be a useful and wonderful tool for those of you hoping to minimise dynamic facial lines, to appear as youthful as you feel. Keep our advice above in mind to ensure your procedure is as carefree as possible.