17 Important Facts about Botox

Let’s face it, Botox is a needle in your face. And it’s liquid gold. As someone whose gotten Botox now for well over ten years, I’ve wanted to learned as much as possible about this mystical, wonderful creature!

After speaking with my Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Carmen Kavali, at length about it, I think it’s important to share what I know with you. Dr. Kavali is someone who Allergan (who owns Botox) trusts to actually train people all across the country on how to administer a Botox treatment safely and correctly.

Let’s dive into the 17 important facts about Botox you need to know, especially for first-time patients:

But first, let’s start with a quick refresher on what Botox is and does. Botox is a neuromodulator that temporarily relaxes muscle activity and nerve signals. A Botox procedure is most commonly used to as a cosmetic treatment to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

While most people use it for facial wrinkles, it can also be used for other purposes such as treating migraines, excessive sweating, and muscle spasms. Botox is not one of the hyaluronic acid fillers on the market. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s delve into the thirteen facts and effects of Botox!

Botox is an FDA-approved treatment and was first approved by the FDA in 2002 for cosmetic use. It has been shown to be effective in people of all ages, from 18-65 years old. Botulinum toxin injections are considered a safe and minimally invasive procedure with minimal side effects. Always be sure you’re seeing a Board Certified healthcare provider for maximum results.

Some officers charge by the area (example: a flat fee to treat the forehead area), some charge by unit.

If you pay by unit everyone uses a different amount so the total cost varies. Keep in mind that you need to buy one entire syringe. This is because a syringe can’t be reused or resold. However, that one syringe can be spread out for various places around treated areas because some areas may need a different number of units than other.

Doctors charge varying rates per unit. At Kavali Plastic Surgery’s office, where I go, they charge $13 per unit of Botox.

The average cost of one vial of Botox is $600-800 USD.

RELATED: How Much Does Botox Cost: Eye Area

A single treatment typically lasts 3-6 months before needing to be repeated

Contrary to popular belief, you won’t feel yourself aging in reverse like Benjamin Button after a Botox injection. You don’t get immediate results. It takes time for this wrinkle-busting magic to work, so don’t expect miraculous results immediately! On average, it takes around typically it takes 3-5 days to start seeing smoother, younger-looking skin after a Botox injection. and 7-14 days to fully kick in and see the full results- everyone’s skin is different so all we can say with certainty is that patience is key.

As they say, “Good things come to those who wait.” But truly, once you wait and start seeing those wrinkles become less noticeable and the full effect kicks in, you’ll be feeling more like TuPac Shakur (all eyez on deezy!) than Benjamin Button. The final results are amazing and can help combat the aging process in the best way!

Botox should not be used if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Pregnant patients have potential risks and should not get Botox for medical reasons.

While Botox is known to be a safe, non-invasive cosmetic procedure, it’s important for expectant mothers undergoing treatment to get all the facts first. That’s because while it’s highly unlikely that those targeted injections of botulinum toxin would be able to cross the placenta and reach developing babies in utero, their effects on breast milk remain unknown from clinical trials.

As a result, many health care providers suggest avoiding using Botox on pregnant women and lactation to err on the side of caution. Ultimately, when making decisions about your health — whether during pregnancy or at any other time —always work with a qualified professional and remember to keep yourself informed on possible risks!

Botox is measured in units. Allergan, the company that makes the product, determines what a unit is based on the biological strength of the Botox. Meaning – how well it will be able to relax the nerve in order to provide a smooth complexion. One vial of Botox contains 100 units, which can be divided up by your practitioner in order to give you tailored results and a more youthful appearance.

While we wouldn’t recommend going overboard, the recommended dosage from the manufacturer is only 20 units of Botox in total. That’s only a little bit more than 4 units per injection site!

Most dermatologists suggest adding on an extra 10 to 50 units, so depending on what you’re personally looking for, the end result should be a subtle yet effective lift. If you’re going for your first treatment, be sure to discuss treatment options. It may be a good idea to go in small steps in order to meet your aesthetic goals. How much Botox is used in certain areas doesn’t matter – a good administer knows how many units to use for muscle paralysis in a specific area.

Read: How Many Units of Botox I get Here

From frown lines on your forehead to bunny lines across the bridge of your nose, Botox can help reduce the signs of aging and even prevent wrinkles from forming in several areas. While yes, the most common areas to treat are severe forehead lines, it can also work on different types of wrinkles and a range of expressions.

The most common areas of the face and other places to get Botox are:

1. Forehead for frown lines and brow lift (that creates a lifting effect and smooth out facial features.) Botox can target both deep lines and smaller facial lines.
2. Nose: if you have those cute bunny lines, but don’t love them.
3. Eye Area for crow’s feet, platysma bands and glabellar lines (the vertical lines between the eyebrows that resemble the number 11)
4. Chin dents in your chin, Botox can help. Botox can also treat any frown lines that are bugging you.
5. Smile and upper lip: If you suffer from gummy smile and think your gums are on full display when you grin have your upper lip and nose can freeze the muscles responsible for displaying too much gum. Not only does this mean you’ll be left with a tidy gap between your top teeth and gums, but it will also provide relief from any pain associated with excess contraction of these particular muscles.
6. Underarms or palm of hands: If you have hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), look into Botox treatments because it can help.
7. Neck area for lines/bands

When considering any cosmetic procedure, it is important to be informed about safety guidelines and tips for achieving desired results. With an experienced practitioner and carefully administered treatments, you can update your look and feel confident in your appearance!

The most common side effect is temporary bruising at the injection site. Other potential side effects include headache, dizziness, droopy eyelids, nausea, and double vision. Discuss with your doctor if you’re having any serious side effects, an allergic reason and be sure they know your medical history. Board Certified physicians know the correct medical uses and can provide the best expert advice to avoid any adverse effects.

While the effects can be temporary and mild, the most common side effects are bruising, headaches and dry mouth sensation can occur. In most cases, these effects usually last for 24–48 hours after the injection but may even persist if you experience flu-like symptoms.

Be sure to follow your practitioner’s advice and take all prescribed medications to minimize your risk and reduce any discomfort associated with this cosmetic procedure. Also, seek medical help if you experience trouble breathing or any other serious complications.

How often you have Botox injections is a question that requires a tailored approach. If you’re new to the treatment, then once every four months is usually a good place to start. Younger patients may not need it as regularly. However, the time between sessions isn’t ultimately set in stone; the frequency of your injections depends heavily on factors such as how quickly your body breaks down the botulinum toxin used in Botox and your own individual goals.

Consider speaking to an experienced professional to determine the best cycle for you – they’ll be able to assess your past treatments and personalize their recommendations accordingly. From there, don’t be afraid to tweak what’s suggested as you learn more about your body – it doesn’t have to be a “one size fits all” approach. Changing up the timing of your treatments can lead to big changes with addictive results!

Never forget: an injection of Botox is a syringe in your face – so don’t just have anyone do it! When choosing where to get Botox, you should look for 3 things: Board Certified, board certified, and board certified. Plastic surgeons and dermatologists, have a better idea of facial aging and its associated anatomy. However, at-home nurses, family practice physicians and other doctors might not be as familiar with these aspects due to limited medical training.

A Board Certified person or facial plastic surgeon will also be sure you’re a good candidate and can give you the best results to treat facial expressions, muscle movement, and other unique needs. They will also take into account any medical conditions you have to be sure the treated facial muscles have the best treatment plan. If someone seems unsure about what they are doing, doesn’t know facial anatomy then those are big time red flags!

Poor technique and inadequate assessment are usually at fault for reported complications related to Botox procedures – so it’s paramount to find an experienced board-certified physician who does high-volume of injectables on a regular basis – even if it may cost more than going outside the core aesthetics sector.

If you live in the Atlanta area, I highly recommend Dr. Carmen Kavali and her entire team at Monarch Plastic Surgery. I’ve been going to this office for years. Dr. Kavali is actually an Allergan educator. Allergan sells Botox, Juvederm, Kybella, CoolSculpting and more. They use Dr. K to train doctors and injectable administrators all over the country – so her office knows what they are doing!

Contact Monarch Plastic Surgery!

Baby Botox may be the perfect solution for those looking to enjoy the anti-aging benefits from Botox without the drastic changes of traditional treatments from larger doses. Baby botox has more saline and small amounts of Botox for micro doses. This minimally-invasive procedure involves much smaller units of Botox injected into areas such as around the eyes, mouth and forehead. This is often done by experienced doctors and nurses to enhance features, reduce wrinkles, and smooth out deeper frown lines or crows feet – all with very minimal discomfort!

A baby Botox treatment is also really good for skin texture for more subtle results. I actually get mini botox for a more natural look and subtle changes to my upper cheek area. Vogue magazine recently listed Baby Botox as one of its top beauty treatments of 2021, showcasing just how popular this innovative process is becoming.

With no downtime required after treatment there are many reasons to try Baby Botox for a natural refreshing look that will support your skin and confidence transformation. Go to an experienced injector because they’ll know how to best place it for a more natural appearance.

RELATED: 17 Tips for After Botox Care

Getting Botox is an outpatient procedure and is not one of those intense surgical procedures! With less time needed than an average lunch break, a Botox treatment session from a reputable provider can be the ideal quick-fix solution to those unwanted wrinkles that take center stage when you least want them too.

While the appointment itself only takes 10-20 minutes in an examination room and is virtually painless, you may want to take an afternoon off from work and opt for light activities rather than strenuous for the rest of the day. If you are going for the first time, allow for a bit of extra time for an initial consultation and discuss the expected results of your treatment. You can most certainly do normal activities immediately after your appointment.

Botox has become increasingly popular medical treatment over the years for its ability to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles in the skin. It works by preventing the nerves activating the muscles, which is something that cannot be reversed as no known treatment exists. However, this isn’t a permanent solution and you can expect to see lasting results diminishing gradually over time as the nerve cells replace their receptors.

This means that if you’re new to it, it might be tempting to dose up on Botox treatments in one session, it’s worth spreading them out across a few appointments to maintain a flawless complexion. Immediate Botox reversal cannot be done, but the good news is it’s temporary if you have an undesirable result.

The benefits of botox treatment are incredible and range from both treating dynamic wrinkles, to sweat glands and other parts of the body. Botox injections have revolutionized the beauty world allowing people to reduce wrinkles in their face and neck for a more youthful look.

There’s a reason it’s come one of the most popular cosmetic treatments around! But it can do so much more than that! Botox injections have been shown to effectively treat cervical dystonia, hyperhidrosis, an overactive bladder, and even lazy eye. It can also help prevent chronic migraines from occurring in the first place. You can also get Botox administered to help with TMJ.

Whether you want a wrinkle-free forehead or a little extra relief from headaches, Botox injections just might be the answer!

Now that you’re armed with this knowledge, go forth and enjoy your fabulousness!