Have you finally decided to go for it and get Botox to treat your wrinkles? Congratulations! You are about to join the millions of women and men around the world who have experienced the amazing, natural looking wrinkle reducing results of Botox. We get a lot of questions from our guests on what they can do to prepare for their Botox treatments, so we have created this little guide to give you some tips on how to get the most out of your Botox experience.
Know Your Injector
Botox is a prescription medication, and just like all other injectable medications Botox should be given by, or under the supervision of, a qualified physician. Many types of physicians, nurses, and aestheticians perform Botox injections. During your initial consultation be sure the doctor you choose has extensive experience in performing Botox injections. You should always get a consultation before your first Botox treatment. Beware of places that don’t provide a thorough consultation before your treatment. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the injector’s experience, and make sure you see before and after photos if they are not voluntarily shown to you. Find out exactly who will be performing your injections. There are some doctors who will personally give the injections themselves, whereas many plastic surgeons and medical spas have nurses and aestheticians doing all their Botox and Filler treatments. At the Z Center for Cosmetic Health all of our injections are done by Dr. Zadeh himself. Being a board certified surgeon, Dr. Zadeh has an excellent knowledge of facial anatomy, which is crucial to getting the best Botox results. An experienced Botox injector will know exactly where to inject to provide you with the results you desire.
Oh, and avoid Botox parties. Trust us, we’ve seen the terrible results firsthand!
Don’t Sacrifice Quality For Cost
You’ve heard the saying if something is too good to be true then it probably is. Beware of cheap prices when it comes to Botox cost. There has been an increase in people who are importing imitation Botox from China and other countries and passing it off as the real thing. These products are not FDA-approved. Always ask to see the vial of Botox and look for the original Allergan label if you have any doubt about the authenticity of the product you are paying for. Places which offer cheap Botox are likely diluting the product too much. This allows them to use the product on more people. Botox that has been diluted too much may still work, but since the effect is weaker it will last for a much shorter period of time.
Remember, you get what you pay for, and the last thing you want is to pay for Botox and have your wrinkles come back after only a couple of weeks. Also, stay away from Groupons for Botox. They’re not a good idea.
Before Your Procedure
The great thing about getting Botox is that aside from researching your provider there’s really not that much preparation needed. The actual injection time is usually less than five minutes and can be conveniently fit into your busy schedule. Many of our guests pop in during their lunch breaks for a quick treatment!
The main thing to look out for in preparation for your Botox procedure is the possibility of bruising during the injection process. If you take aspirin, ibuprofen (advil, motrin, etc.) or any other prescription/over the counter medication or herbal remedy that may cause thinning of the blood then you should stop taking them at least one week before your Botox treatment. This will greatly reduce the risk of excessive bleeding and bruising during your treatment. If you have a tendency to bruise easily then you can try taking Arnica, a natural supplement that may help lessen bruising.
If you do develop some bruising don’t worry, it completely goes away after a few days.
The Procedure
Like we mentioned earlier, Botox treatment is quick and minimally invasive. Dr. Zadeh will make a few tiny injections into the muscles that are causing the offending wrinkles, deciding exactly where to place the injections to give you the best results. No anesthesia is required, but we do usually apply an ice pack to the area before the injections for your comfort. Any discomfort with the injection process is minimal and brief; most people compare the sensation to a bug bite.
After Your Procedure
There is no downtime after your Botox injection. You will be able to return to work, go shopping, pick up the kids from school, etc. It’s best not to reapply make up over the injection sites for 24 hours after the procedure. However, you can touch up around the injection sites if needed. Do not do any strenuous activity for 24-hours, and do not lay down flat for four hours if you have had injections of the facial muscles.
Most importantly, enjoy the results of your Botox treatment! The Botox will start to take effect within 5-7 days of your procedure. Be sure to schedule your follow-up appointment before leaving after your treatment. If needed, additional injections may be done at your follow up appointment to achieve your desired result.
Still have questions regarding the preparation for Botox injections? Feel free to contact us, we’re always happy to help!