All the Questions You Have About Botox But Are Too Afraid to Ask

It's the most popular cosmetic treatment in the United States, but Botox continues to be a point of fear and confusion for a lot of people.

Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau are the quickest and most effective ways to treat unwanted wrinkles. As we age, our skin loses elasticity. This is caused by things such as sun exposure, hormones, genetics, and the aging process in general. The result? Skin that looks tired, stressed, and older than your age. That’s where Botox comes in!
Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau, also called neuromodulators, stop the nerve signals that tell your muscles to contract. This temporary blocking of muscle contractions is what smooths and eliminates fine lines and wrinkles.

Maybe you've seen people before they even have wrinkles or maybe you've seen the horror of unnaturally frozen faces. Either way, you've got questions and we've got answers. Here are all the questions you have about Botox but were too afraid to ask.

Does Botox Prevent Wrinkles?

Definitely! Botox and the other options can help soften and erase wrinkles in any area that it's injected into. As stated, Botox quite literally paralyzes the muscle. Therefore the nerve signals that tell your muscles to contract are temporarily blocked, and that lack of muscle contractions is what smoothes and eliminates fine lines and wrinkles.

Some people start before they see any wrinkles in order to stop them from forming at all. Prevention is always easier than correction. Botox can only stop wrinkles that are in motion - not the static ones.

Will Botox Make Me Feel Numb or Frozen?

Botox is not meant to remove all facial expressions. It is designed to soften the excessive facial motions created when squinting, frowning, or smiling. It does paralyze the muscle but it does not affect the nerves, so you will still have all feeling. When injected correctly, you should still have some motion and look completely natural.

When done improperly, you can get a "Spock" eyebrow that looks like an unnatural lift to the brow. Or, if too much is injected, you can get "heavy" where your eyebrows drops and looks like someone is pushing your eyebrows down towards your eyes. That's why it's important to be injected by an experienced and certified injector that knows their facial anatomy.

Does Botox Hurt?

Everyone's pain tolerance is different. Some say it feels like nothing and others say it feels like little pinches. Some areas are a little more tender than others. Either way, Botox injections are at most only mildly uncomfortable.

Does Botox Have Side Effects?

Like every drug, Botox has side effects. Immediately after the injections, you will have small bumps (they look like mosquito bites) that reside in about 10-15 minutes. Further side effects are rare and usually limited to the site of injection which includes mild redness, inflammation, and/or bruising (can last 1 to 7 days). Headaches after injections are also common.

How Much Does Botox Cost?

It's different everywhere, and the prices will vary greatly depending on which state you live in. Here in Arizona price per unit will be about $10-$14. We charge $12 per unit, so about $200-$250 per area is a rough average. It always depends on how much movement you have and how strong your muscles are. For example, men need a significant amount more because their muscles are usually quite stronger than women's.

What is the Ideal Age to Start Getting Injections?

This is mostly up to you! You can get Botox before you have wrinkles for prevention or you can get them later in life when it starts to bother you more. It's mostly up to genetics, and your age. We have seen women in their 40's with very few wrinkles and only need a few units of Botox and we have seen women in their early 20's with lots of wrinkles and need a heavier dose.

The ideal age to start getting Botox is when you feel like you are ready for them.!

How Long Does Botox Last?

This is different for everyone but typically Botox and Xeomin last for approximately 3 to 4 months, while Dysport can last 4 to 6 months. The longevity of your results is largely dependent on the age of the patient, their metabolism, the amount of exercise they do regularly, and their normal blood flow to the face. For example, someone who is young with a fast metabolism and more blood flow to the face will most likely burn through the product quicker than someone who is older.

Why Doesn't Botox Work Immediately?

Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin results are NOT immediate. It takes several days for the muscles to respond, however your final result takes 2 weeks. A lot of people get worried a full day after because they see no results. But be patient! If you feel like an eyebrow is uneven or you need more units after the 14 days have passed, we can touch it up. We cannot touch it up anytime before 2 weeks since the product could still be kicking in, and we don't want to give you too much.

Will People Know I Got Botox?

That all depends on if you tell people. Good Botox will be natural-looking, you'll look refreshed and possibly younger looking. Bad Botox will leave you with a crazy brow or drooping eyelids, which is then pretty noticeable. We often say that people will notice you look better but won't know why.

What Can I Expect After My Appointment?

Honestly, not too much. As stated, you will have small mosquito bite looking bumps that reside in about 10-15 minutes. You cannot lay down for 4 hours after the appointment because it can migrate the product. Nor can you work out for 24 hours. Results typically start to show in a few days and can take 2 weeks to fully kick in. Because of that, we highly recommend you schedule your appointment 2 weeks prior to a big event.

For More Information

For more information about Botox contact us at ZONA Med Spa. Or book a consultation online by clicking here.