Botox Frequently Asked Questions by Beth Sheiner, RN Utah Facial Plastics
1. Am I a good candidate for Botox?
Most likely, yes! Everyone could use a little “vitamin B” right? Most people choose to do Botox when they begin to see the etched lines in their skin, commonly known as “static lines”. Botox can be placed in areas where the muscle movement is causing the wrinkle to form. Some people choose to start doing Botox for preventative reasons. They simply do not want those deep permanent lines to stand a chance! Botox does not help with areas of volume loss, such as the lips, sagging skin in the jowls, depressed cheek bones, or the smile lines that form from the nose to the outer corners of the mouth. So, when you see people walking around with full lips, Botox is not the reason!
2. Where do you put Botox?
Botox is commonly placed in the muscle between the eyebrows where the vertical wrinkles, commonly referred to as the “11’s”, tend to form. This is the area where people say, “I look mad but I’m not!” It is also FDA approved to treat the crow’s feet or wrinkles that form around the outer eye area. Other common areas include the forehead and fine lines above the upper lip. Botox is also used for reasons other than wrinkle reduction. Botox can help soften the appearance of a strong jawline, creating a more feminine shape to the jaw. It is also used to decrease jaw clenching and grinding of the teeth. If you are someone that battles with excessive underarm sweating, Botox can help!
3. How long does it last? Is it permanent?
On average, Botox tends to last right around three months. However, some people have reported anywhere from 4-6 months of longevity. You will begin to see the muscle movement relax usually within a week after treatment. Once the Botox starts to wear off, the muscle will then slowly start to regain movement. So, no, Botox is not permanent. It is important to note that sometimes Botox does not last a full three months, especially for people who have stronger muscles in the area(s) being treated. This may mean you will need to do treatments more frequently, or your provider may add a tad more Botox to your next treatment. Not all facial muscles are created equal!
4. Is it painful?
A majority of patients report very mild to no pain during a Botox treatment. We try to make the treatment as comfortable as possible by using a very small needle and providing an ice pack for before and after the treatment. Patients do not experience any pain from Botox after they leave our office.
5. Will it make me look “un-natural”?
Botox will not make you look unnatural if injected properly. The beauty of Botox is that you can still have expression, such as smiling, frowning, and looking surprised, but without those unwanted lines. The best part about Botox is that it can provide a very subtle, refreshing look without anyone knowing you had anything done!
6. Do you see results immediately?
On average, Botox takes 3-5 days to take effect. In some cases, it can take 7-14 days to see a complete result. Once the Botox starts to kick in, you will see gradual relaxation of those muscles and fewer wrinkles.
7. Is there downtime after a Botox treatment?
Botox is commonly known as the lunchtime treatment because it can be done in just a few minutes and there is no downtime. Immediately after treatment, the injection sites may be slightly swollen and red but this tends to subside within 5-10 minutes. Bruising is possible, as with any injection, but the needles that are used are very small. The only post treatment instructions are staying upright for 4 hours and avoiding strenuous activity for 24 hours.
8. Will my wrinkles disappear completely?
Not all wrinkles are created equal, therefore, it depends on how deep the wrinkle is. If the wrinkles are only there with expression, such as smiling or frowning, then usually Botox will help those wrinkles to soften completely. For those wrinkles that have formed and deepened with time, Botox will help to prevent the wrinkles from getting deeper in the future. In this case, it may take several Botox treatments for the wrinkles to completely soften. In addition to Botox, some patients may need filler in those stubborn deep wrinkles.
For more information, contact (801)776-2220 for a complimentary Botox consultation in Layton or Draper, Utah.